Vitrified vs Ceramic Tiles: What's the Difference?

"Vitrified" and "ceramic" both describe fired clay tiles, and the difference between them comes down to how dense that firing makes the tile.

Ceramic tiles are fired at a lower temperature and stay more porous, which is why they are usually glazed on top — the glaze is what gives the surface its colour, pattern and water resistance, sitting over a more absorbent tile underneath. They are generally lighter and less expensive, and work well for walls and lower-traffic areas.

Vitrified tiles are fired at a much higher temperature until the clay partially turns to glass (vitrifies), which makes the whole tile — not just a surface layer — dense and low-porosity. That is why a vitrified tile takes far less water than a ceramic one, resists wear better, and holds up to heavier foot traffic, which is why it is the more common choice for floors, especially in parking areas, entrances and high-traffic rooms.

As a rule of thumb: ceramic for walls and lighter-use areas where cost and a wide range of glazed patterns matter most; vitrified for floors and anywhere durability and water resistance matter more than price.

Not sure which one your room needs? Tell us the room and how much traffic it gets, and we can point you to the right one from what we carry.