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What to choose Marble Tiles vs. Vitrified Tiles?
“What to choose Marble Tiles vs. Vitrified Tiles?” – The flooring for any space for your home or office brings out the finest of the colors and material which is too wide in range and picking one out of the lot of vitrified tiles and marble is undecided. Whether to choose the evergreen, rich looking natural marble or to go with the vitrified tiles is a big question. We’ll help you out to know the basic difference of both the material.
Properties- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
A naturally quarried stone formed from limestone, calcite and dolomite. Marble is a porous and dense material with high water absorption rate with fascinating veined and swirls patterns on the surface, this stone has been widely used in architecture as flooring and wall cladding.
A mixture of clay and other minerals like silica, quartz and feldspar baked at high temperatures composes vitrified tiles. This process forms a glassy substrate throughout the tile giving it its characteristic smooth texture. Generally coated with an external glaze, these tiles have a low water absorption rate and are durable.
Variety and finishes- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
A distinctive material with a personality of its own, marble flooring is available as blocks, slabs or tiles. Commonly found in shades of green, brown, white, black, grey and other natural hues, different grades of marbles will absorb water differently. Polished marble is used to achieve a glossy finishes while honed and sand marble can be used for matte, rustic textures.
Vitrified tiles are man-made and come in a large variety of designs, colors, prints and textures. You can design tiles to simulate natural materials such as wood, bamboo and even marble. Suitable for both interior and exterior use, vitrified tiles are available in glossy, matte and anti-skid finishes.
Installation- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
The installation process for marble is more time consuming and labor intensive. In most places in India, marble is usually not available in a ready-to-ship condition. You have to place an order, followed by cutting and grinding of marble to your requirements. Apart from the time required to lay marble flooring, the time for polishing and finishing also adds to the overall installation time.
Vitrified tiles are available in stores in a ready-to-ship condition and usually, it takes around 1.5 working days to lay flooring in a standard-size room. These tiles also require less setting time and you can use them shortly after installation. Since they are pre-polished, there is no finishing required on site. One can cut vitrified tiles manually and therefore can be laid in a variety of patterns and combinations to suit your needs. General thickness of the tile is around 10 to 12 mm which reduces the overall thickness of your floor.
Maintenance- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
A naturally occurring material, marble tends to react very easily with most substances. Marble reacts with even dilute acids (read vinegar, mustard, citrus and other common household items) causing stains. You must clean any spills on marble flooring immediately to prevent permanent marks. You can clean the floor with mild detergent and water, provided you wipe dry immediately.
Marble flooring will also require periodic application of a sealant to protect it from moisture. Regular polishing can breathe new life into your old marble flooring. Vitrified tiles are relatively easy to clean and maintain. Thanks to their non-porous nature, these tiles absorb very little water and therefore are resistant to most stains. Regular dusting and wiping is enough to keep your tiles gleaming. Since tiles are readily available in standard sizes, one can replace broken tiles easily with identical alternatives.
Durability- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
Vitrified tiles are extremely durable and weather heavy daily use. These tiles are both discoloration and scratch resistant and thus will easily hold good for a span of 10-15 years, when used with proper maintenance. However, vitrified tiles are prone to breakage if mishandled.
Though considerably stronger than most other types of flooring, marble tends to develop a yellowish tinge after some years of usage. With regular maintenance and adequate care, marble flooring can remain intact for around 25 years.
Cost- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
The cost of marble, being a naturally occurring material, is more than vitrified tiles. The price of flooring will also vary according to the grade, rarity of color etc.
The cost of vitrified tile flooring largely depends on the design and brand you choose. Nonetheless, being man-made, these tiles are more affordable when compared to marble.
Aesthetic value- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
Marble flooring has long been the symbol of luxury and opulence. The flooring of choice for palaces around the world, each piece is unique in its own way. The gleam of polished stone and its beautifully authentic, natural look adds to the aesthetic appeal.
While vitrified tiles are available in a huge array of eye-catching colors and finishes, the overall look is less authentic when compared to natural wood or stone. While it is possible to create a faux-marble effect using vitrified tiles, the grout lines of floor tiles are more visible when compared to marble.
Where to use them- Marble tiles vs. Vitrified tiles
Marble flooring is the best choice for indoor areas like halls, living room and bedrooms. Polished marble surfaces can tend to be slippery when used in bathrooms. Since marble absorbs water and stains easily, marble is not a practical choice for kitchens. Marble is generally not good for outdoor spaces as weathering and pollutants tend to wear out the surface.
You can use vitrified tiles for interiors and exteriors surface, as well as crowded areas. Since they are available in various slip-resistant finishes, hence vitrified tiles are good for bathrooms and kitchens as well.
Conclusion
While choosing between marble tiles and vitrified tiles select your budget, design, space, requirement, location and utility according to your needs. While the Marble tile offers durability at a higher price and the other offers a countless number of design options at lower prices.
Hence, choose wisely!
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