Vitrified Tiles Or Marble Flooring: Which One Is Better For Your Home?

The interior is what makes a house a home. After looking at thousands of options, you are done with decor items, colours, and furniture but are still confused about the flooring.

But then again, there is the confusion, vitrified tiles or marble flooring: which is better for flooring for a home?

To get rid of the confusion, read our complete guide on marble vs vitrified tiles to know the difference between them.

Let’s Know About Marble And Vitrified Tiles

Before we learn the difference between marble and vitrified tiles, let's know more about them.

We are not new to marble floors. They have been in use since ancient times.

They have been in the royal courts, ancient churches, monuments, temples, mosques, etc.

The best example of marble artistry is one of the world's seven wonders, the Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of marble. Marble flooring was the trend, and it would never leave its throne.

While vitrified tiles do not have as long a history as marble flooring, they have been strongly making their mark in the tiling industry for several decades.

Vitrified tile comes from the Latin word “vitrum” , which means glass. These tiles are known for having shiny glass-like surfaces.

The functionality and availability of different designs make them one of the best flooring options for the home. Vitrified tiles are an excellent replacement for marble as they provide a similar look with sounder durability.

Now, are you curious to know everything about vitrified tiles? Read our comprehensive guide to know more!

Difference Between Marble And Vitrified Tiles

Even though both marble and vitrified tiles add elegance and beautify the space, these tiles are poles apart and have unique features.

These tiles are the best competitors to be your best flooring option. So let’s see how vitrified vs marble floorings differ from one another.

1. Composition

A significant difference between marble and vitrified tiles is their composition. So what are these tiles made up of?

Marble is a gift of nature. When limestone, in the lap of the earth, is heated and pressurised, it takes the form of beautiful marble.

As processed limestone, it contains calcite and dolomite in its composition. Marble can be quarried from mountainous regions(marble quarries).

The marble gets tested for its durability once quarried. Afterwards, the blocks are cut into slabs or tiles and transported to cutting sites.

While vitrified tiles are human-made, a mixture of clay and minerals like quartz, feldspar, and silica gets heated at a high temperature under hydraulic pressure. This process is called vitrification.

And as a result, we get smooth surfaced tiles with high endurance properties and other features to enhance the beauty of our homes.

2. Properties

Marble tiles are dense and hard, which makes them durable options for high-traffic areas.

Marble may add elegance to the place, but these tiles are porous.
That means they can easily absorb any spills and leave a stain forever, which can affect the whole view.
Materials like alkali and acid may harm the marble floors and cause discolouration.
But if regularly maintained, marble can stay for a longer time.

Marble is not as scratch resistant as compared to granite, so there may be chances that you harm the floors while moving the heavy furniture.

Vitrified tiles, on the other hand, are created through a special process known as vitrification, making them durable, slip-resistant, and less porous.

They do not absorb any liquid spill, so no chances of stain.
Alkali and acid do not have any effect on these tiles.
The vitrification process makes them a more durable tiling option.
These tiles are even scratch-resistant, so you won’t see any scratches on tiles while moving heavy furniture.

Vitrified tiles have high endurance against frost, so they are the best choice for the outdoors. Moreover, these tiles do not fade their original colour when exposed to heat.

3. Variety And Finishes

Marble occurs in nature, so you can notice different designs that the earth herself crafted on them. You won’t get any repeat designs on marble. Hence, every marble tile is unique in its way.

Marble tiles are available in different colours, like grey, white, black, and brown, as well as other natural hues. These tiles are also available in different multi-coloured mixes, so you have flexible options to suit your decor.

Marble has different finishes, like honed, polished, brushed, and tumbled. Each finish serves a different look.

Vitrified tiles are artificial. So you have a plethora of options to choose from in different colours, patterns, and designs. With technological advancement, men have incorporated the tech and developed digital printing technology.

So, vitrified tiles are printed to simulate natural flooring like marble, granite, bamboo, and wooden floors. Or you can brainstorm and unleash a creative design that suits the floor or walls of your home.

These tiles are available in gloss, matte, and other finishes to suit your home.

So are you ready to artistically uplift your room? Contact us now to discover different designs for your space. .

4. Looks That You Want To Talk About

In today’s time, everyone wants to add aesthetic value to their home by adding furniture, decor items, or even walls.

Not a single marble is the same. Each marble has a unique beauty, design, and look to add luxury to your space.

For an elegant look, you can choose from a variety of finishes, colours, and textures for your vitrified tiles.
You can try the contemporary look with different coloured patterns to give your room a personal touch with your style.

Both marble and vitrified tiles have different ways of adding beauty to your space. So if the battle between vitrified vs marble floorings only for the looks, marble would surely win the battle.

5. Maintenance

Believe it or not, floors endure the most. So they need to be taken care of regularly.

As mentioned before, marble floors have a porous nature, absorbing spills and leaving a spot.

No matter how beautiful they look, they can be spotted forever once stained. You can scrub it off, but it will not disappear permanently. A light tint will always be there.

Fact: The Indian government spends millions every three years on the maintenance of the Taj Mahal.

To avoid this, you must clean the spill as fast as you can. Do not let it sit on the floor for a long time. Marble floors need to be resealed every one to two years to look fresh, which is a bit expensive.

On the contrary, vitrified tiles are non-porous and do not require regular maintenance like marbles. You need to clean regularly by sweeping the floor and mopping with lukewarm water.

If you want to know how to deep clean vitrified tiles, head to our blog- How To Clean Vitrified Floor Tiles-13 Useful Cleaning Tips.

6. Durability

Marble, a natural stone, is known for its durability. If they are properly maintained, i.e., regularly polished and cleaned, they can add beauty to your space for over 20 years.

But marble starts to turn yellowish as it ages. With the help of experts, it is possible to repair chipped marble.

Vitrified tiles undergo a rigorous vitrification process, which makes them a durable option. They withstand heavy traffic for approximately 10-15 years.

The only drawback of vitrified tiles is that if one of the tiles gets chipped, there is no way around it except for changing it.

7. Installation

Marble floors look elegant but are not readily available in many places, so you have to order them in advance. Then, marble slabs will be cut and shaped according to your specifications.

Then they will be shipped and ready to be installed. But, after installation, marble has to be polished and given the final touches, which includes its installation timing. Furthermore, marble is heavy, requiring a subfloor to hold its weight.

While vitrified tiles are readily available in tile showrooms, you have to select the tile, and they will deliver it to your home.

The tiles will be installed in one and a half days and ready to use, already in different finishes. Alternatively, you can shape them as per your will to create a geometrical pattern.

8. Costing

Marble tiles occur naturally, so their extraction, processing, and installation add to their final cost.

And sometimes you have to import them from different places, adding up to their cost. In addition, they need to be cut to the correct size for home installation.

Overall, marble tiles are heavy on the pockets.

Vitrified tiles are available to suit different budgets. These tiles are available in various cost ranges, from cost-effective to pricey options.

Here, note that the price depends on the brand you buy. Some brands charge higher than others. But still, they are cheaper than marble flooring.

So in the battle between marble vs vitrified tiles for pricing, vitrified tiles will always steal the crown.

9. Where To Use Them

Marble can be the best for living areas, bedrooms, dining areas, or corridors. But as they are porous, they are not recommended for bathrooms and kitchens.

However, polished marbles are sometimes used in wet areas. Marble floorings are not ideal outdoors as the weather and pollutants may harm the surface.

Vitrified tiles are non-porous and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. These tiles are highly suitable for high-traffic areas, making them a preferred choice for commercial and public places.

Why Should You Choose Vitrified Tiles Over Marble Floorings?

Used since ancient times, marble floorings are famous for their classy looks, royal feel, and elegant designs. But, they lose their beauty over time.

Plus, no doubt they require regular maintenance, which is hectic. Firstly you have to pay high costs while installing them and invest in repairing them every 1-3 years.

There are no such hassles for vitrified tiles. These tiles also come in different designs, colours, and textures but at a pocket-friendly rate.

Apart from regular cleaning, they require no further maintenance once installed. Plus, vitrified tiles do not get stained and are ideal for interior and exterior wall and floor applications.

They are also super durable like marbles, and with different finishes, you can even get the look of marble with vitrified tiles in your budget.

Wrapping Up

Keeping the interior, budget, design, and space in mind, you can go either for marble or vitrified tiles. If you have the budget, marble can make the space look luxurious and create a classy look.

But if you are tight on your budget and still want a marble look, then go for vitrified tiles. These tiles won’t fail to give a marble-like finish to the room, with no hassle of maintenance.

Still, the last call is yours. Choose wisely!

About Sanford Vitrified

Having a view of every type of flooring is essential to match the tiles with your home's decor. Sanford Vitrified brings you the unmatched quality of vitrified tiles with mesmerising looks.

Manufactured with the best quality in the surveillance of experts, we deliver the tiles highly resistant to water and wear and tear.

Our comprehensive collection includes tiles in different finishes, with stunning designs, different colours, pops, and patterns. Have a walk to our showroom or visit our website to see our vast collection of vitrified tiles.