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Vitrified tiles will floor you
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Vitrified tiles which are available in various hues are stronger and cheaper too, writes M. Saigopal
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Photo: Nagara Gopal
Affordable and stylish: Vitrified tiles come in the range of Rs.50 per square feet to Rs.250 per square feet. -
Decided on changing the floor at home and give a new look to what you tread upon? If the family has felt that the floor is worn out or has gone out of sync with the latest trend, then it is time you step into the market and check the options. Gone are the days when the local mason would suggest you for the market is regularly updated with newer flooring options and a visit to few of them would surely help in making a decision.
The different choices available naturally including marble, granite, hardwood, Kadapa stone, Kota and Andhra Marble, while in the recent past the man-made materials especially the vitrified tiles have emerged as the most ‘fast-moving’ and desirable option in the construction industry.
With manufacturers across the spectrum being able to refine the process of developing vitrified tiles capable of ‘aping’ the look and in some cases even bettering the naturally occurring options, they have become the in thing. Be it wood, leather, marble, ivory or even carpet, the vitrified tiles can mimic anything. To top it up, they are stronger and cheaper too. Industry watchers are emphatic when they say that very soon the naturally occurring stones like the marbles would be replaced by tiles, which are getting superior by the day. Very little effort in maintenance and more aesthetic preferences are some of the reasons being bandied for its huge demand.
“Definitely they are superior when compared to natural stones. Tiles are manufactured under controlled environment whereas in naturally occurring marble and granite, quality is just a coincidence. They have good mechanical strength, resistant to scratch, acids, alkalis, stains and chemicals,” informed Regional Manager for Nitco Tiles John Menon.
Price range
The prices of vitrified tiles vary from Rs.50 per square feet to Rs.250 per square feet. “Ceramic tiles start from Rs.45 per square feet while vitrified tiles start from Rs.50.
They can imitate wood, leather and even marble and these designs are hot picks in the city. A few years back, it was hard for a middle-class family to have a wooden floor, but today they have so many options in vitrified tiles,” informed Hasmukh Patel of Prabhu and Sons, a retail outlet at Secunderabad.
“They are very easy to maintain and that’s the USP for such tiles,” said K.R. Rajani, sales executive for tiles. Regular mopping of floors with detergents or cleansing solutions and if needed shine-imparting chemicals once every six months, help restore the gloss.
Domestic stains like turmeric, ink, gum or even mud can be removed by a mere swipe.
Risk factors
There are some risky fall-outs too. “It all depends on how the owner of the flat or house is able to lay the tiles. Masonry is absolutely important with such tiles.
They can make or break the vitrified tiles,” says Mr. Menon. Ground preparation and smooth levelling are important for strong floors capable of withstanding adequate load. “Air pockets between tiles lead to cracks from impact loads. Improper water soaking of tiles prior to laying can also lead to thermal cracks.
All these can be avoided by following the tile laying instructions from the manufacturers,” Mr. Menon added.
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Property Plus
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