Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT) vs Double Charge Tiles: Which is Better

Choosing the appropriate tiles for your home or office is difficult today, considering the choices available in the market. Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT) and Double Charge Tiles are two high-performance choices that often come up in tile discussions; however, people do not fully understand the difference or unique advantages between them. Let's make a detailed study of Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT) and Double Charge Tiles in this blog, where we spread out the banners of the features, manufacturing process, pros and cons of both, and which might be the best fit for your specific needs.

What Exactly are Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT)?

On an initial look, Glazed Vitrified Tiles would seem like a traditional choice, but they have some really interesting features that separate them from regular tiles. GVT tiles are made when glaze gets fused on top of a vitrified body. Such tiles are constituted from a mixture of natural minerals like silica, feldspar, and kaolin, fired at high temperatures. The glazed layer, applied on top of it, makes the tile much more aesthetic and a very interesting type of surface with a suitable reflection.

What many people fail to understand is that the glaze is not just for aesthetics-it is a protective layer. The glazing process results in surface that is aesthetically pleasing while also giving superior stain, scratch, and water resistance making Glazed Vitrified Tiles an ideal product for high-traffic areas, kitchens, bathroom, and commercial applications. These tiles are also offered in a variety of finishes, from glossy to matte, and they are produced in a number of patterns and colors to give ultimate versatility.

Unique Features of GVT

• Advanced Surface Technology: GVT tiles employ an advanced ceramic technology, so the finish is glass-like smooth and aesthetically pleasing.

• Glazed vs Non-Glazed Debate: While most will prefer non-glazed tile in a commercial setting for abrasion and scratch resistance, the glaze on GVT tiles provides a subtle yet sophisticated sheen that catches light and adds depth to a room.

• Exclusive features of resistance: Glaze contains a shield against dirt, hence demonstrates high resistance to stain, bacteria, and moisture.

• Design Variations: GVT tiles can replicate the looks of wood, stone, and marble with unparalleled realism, for example, and thereby can offer luxurious, high end looks without the cost of using the real material.

Advantages of GVT Tiles

• Outstanding visual looks: The glazing process gives an extra shine to these tiles. These tiles will be best used in places that require a dramatically appealing look like the living room and lobbies.

• Low Maintainance: This surface type is nonporous, making it easy to clean and maintain. Often mopping or wiping regularly is enough to make them look new.

• High Moisture Resistance: Ideal for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens, GVT tiles resist water absorption, reducing the likelihood of mold or mildew.

Disadvantages of GVT Tiles

• Glossy Surface: The glossy finish is aesthetically pleasing but slippery, especially when wet. This makes them not the best choice for a pool deck or bathroom floor, unless of course, you go with a matte finish.

• Potential for Surface Damage: Over time, in traffic areas, the glaze may wear down and impair the aesthetic appearance of tile.

What Makes Double Charge Tiles Stand Out?

Double Charge Tiles, as one more important category of vitrified tiles, are known for their durability and aesthetic attractiveness, but their composition and production process are, in fact, fundamentally different. These tiles consist of two layers pressed under extreme pressure. The manufacturing involves two different colors of raw materials combined together before fused to form a tile. The thick tile has the design spread throughout it and not merely on the top, unlike GVT tiles.

The particular property of this Double Charge tile explains why it has been widely used in heavy foot traffic areas like shopping centers, airports, and commercial places. The colors and designs go deep within the tile, thus scratches on the top surface of the tile don't affect the perfect finish. This renders Double Charge tiles tremendously resilient and permanent. 

Unique Features of Double Charge Tiles

• Color All the Way Through: One of the most significant features of double charge tiles is that the color. Pattern runs throughout the tile and not just on the surface. This is what keeps the design of the tiles strong even under the abrasive forces on the surface.

• Best in Durability: Double charge tiles are formed with an intention of strength and durability. They are not that consumable to breakage and most damage by the double press process.

• Non-porous Surface: Owing to its dense structure, these tiles are very resistant to any moisture absorption and best for places where you have to maintain tough and minimum-maintenance flooring.

Advantages of Double Charge Tiles

• Longer Lifespan: Due to their very nature of design, these tiles have a prolonged lifespan and do not suffer from great wear and tear. Their perfect for highly trafficked commercial spaces where longevity becomes crucial.

• Scratch Resistance: With the color running throughout the tile, scratches would not disturb its overall appearance compared to what happens in just conventional tiles.

• Reserved Grandeur: Likewise, though the designs might be subdued compared to that of GVT, yet these double charge tiles bestow an ambiance that depicts natural stone grandeur and elevate any kind of space. 

Disadvantages of Double Charge Tiles

• Limited Design Options: Compared to GVT tiles, double charge tiles have limited range of designs. They focus on natural stone, marble, or granite finishes, which may not suit all types of interior designs.

• Wider Weight: Due to the thickness and dense structure of these tiles, they can be heavier than standard vitrified tiles, which could lead to complexities in installation and require heavy loading. 

Head-to-Head: GVT vs Double Charge Tiles

To help you make an informed decision, let's break down the key differences between Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT) and Double Charge Tiles in terms of various factors:

1. Design and Aesthetics

GVT: Glazed Vitrified Tiles entailing a variety of attractive designs, textures and finishes come the glazed surface to allow bright, high-definition patterns with nature stone or marble effects; henceforth allowing it to be chosen for embodying a grand and luxurious appeal in residential spaces.

Double Charge Tiles: These tiles are fused by a unique process against one another, with thickness and appearing subtle and uniform. The color and design generally have higher constancy across the tiles, leverage the product for usage in industrial and commercial spaces where practicality stands in-between.

2. Durability and Strength

GVT: GVT tiles tend to be robust not resistant to scratching and wear, as the glazing on their surface is thinner, even in high-traffic areas where that quality surface wears off. Rooms with moderate foot traffic allure the likes of living rooms or bedrooms.

Double Charge Tiles: Characteristically thicker and more resilient due to a denser top layer that withstands wear, scratches, and heavy traffic are particularly applicable for commercial vehicles, airports, and large retail shops where durability fits best.

3. Surface and Finish

GVT: This tile introduce brilliance into spaces with a glossy finish which acts like a light reflector. The shiny surface may thus make the tile slippery; so, it is better not to use this in places with moisture-prone conditions.

Double Charge Tiles: They tend to possess increasingly matte finishes or some dependent semi-polished types; all this gives the tile high functionality in terms of a natural feel. It has to remain forever embedded into the surface after several years of wear and tear. 

4. Thickness and Installation

GVT: Glazed Vitrified Tiles are thinner and lighter than Double Charge tiles; hence, they are more manageable to handle and quick to install, particularly in residential use. However, being thin makes them slightly unsuitable for areas with higher stress.

Double Charge Tiles: These are thicker, bigger, and solid requiring more labor during installation; however, owing to their robust structure, they would rather fit into categories of high-traffic areas in which strength is a requirement.

5. Maintenance and Cleaning

GVT: The smooth glazed surface cleans easily in a nominal sense, but with poor maintenance, that shine can fade fast. They are not that hard to maintain where expectations from them are lower in their residential use but do require more care in order to retain their shine in their most demanding areas.

Double Charge Tiles: Due to their impeccable durability and stunning resistance to stains and scratches, Double charge tiles are exceptionally easy to maintain. It is worth mentioning that due to a bigger thickness of Double Charge Tiles, they do not wear off that easily over a longer time, making them an apt choice for such areas where maintenance is a tiresome task, such as shopping malls or offices.

6. Cost and Affordability

GVT: GVT tiles are generally on the expensive side, due to the complexity of designs along with the glazed process; hence most likely positioned in the exclusive segment for interior decor in resorted-style homes or offices.

Double Charge Tiles: These tiles are the chapters for strong flooring. They are pretty tough and offer durability without marking the price elasticity too firmly, rightly taken as a good symbol for large commercial projects or budget-oriented clients. 

7. Applications

GVT: These are very versatile and can be applied to the walls or floors mostly among residential homes where aesthetic design is important. They fit greatly in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.

Double Charge Tiles: These are often used in commercial or industrial applications where strength and wear resistance is crucial. They are basically the go-to options for malls, office floors, and public building spaces.

Based on these built comparisons, it helps you in making the right choice to narrow down the selection for your space, owing to desirability, durability, or cost-saving needs.

Where to Find Premium Quality Tiles at the Best Deal

Tileswale is India's largest B2B2C live marketplace-a one-stop platform where you can meet the top tile manufacturers and sellers, including the leading suppliers of glazed vitrified tiles (GVT) and double charge tiles. A plethora of tiles from verified dealers guarantees Tileswale premium products at competitive prices. Tileswale makes it easy for contractors, architects, and homeowners alike to compare-and-buy high-quality tiles-a superlative place for getting great deals on tiles for residential or commercial projects. 

Conclusion: Which Tile is Right for You?

Glazed Vitrified Tiles or GVT and Double Charge Tiles have their merits, and their usage depends on your requirement. 

GVT: Choose these tiles when you are looking for variety, design flexibility, and moderate price. These are perfect for places where demanding aesthetic appeal takes precedence over durability. Such places include the living room, bedroom, and even feature walls. 

Double Charge: Go for these kinds of tiles if you need long-lasting properties in heavy traffic areas: commercial buildings, shopping malls, outdoors, etc. These tiles are unrivaled when it comes to strength or scratch resistance, as well as for their class and simplicity.

Ultimately the final call is based on your design aspiration, budget, and space requirement. Both GVT and double charge tile will serve you well; but the devil is in the details of understanding which tile fits better into your requirement.