Tiles Selection Guide: Vitrified, Ceramic, Porcelain & Clay

Choosing the right tiles is about more than just looks. The material and construction of a tile influence its durability, water absorption, finish and suitability for different spaces. Whether you are designing a beautiful home, renovating a bathroom or planning a commercial space, understanding the different types of tiles can help you make the right choice.

At Shri Tiles, Jalahalli, we offer a wide range of tiles to suit different styles, spaces and budgets.

Find the Right Tiles for Your Space

Each tile material has its own strengths. Use this guide to compare vitrified, ceramic, porcelain and clay tiles, then see how the main types of vitrified tiles differ. Looking for designs instead? Browse our tile patterns and designs.

1. Vitrified Tiles – Style Meets Strength

Looking for tiles that combine elegance with everyday durability? Vitrified tiles are a popular choice for modern homes and commercial spaces.

Made by processing clay and other minerals at high temperatures, these tiles have a dense body and low water absorption. They are available in a variety of sizes, colours, patterns and finishes, making it easy to find a design that complements your interiors.

From elegant marble-look flooring to contemporary concrete-inspired designs, vitrified tiles offer plenty of possibilities.

Popular types: GVT, PGVT, Double Charge, Full Body and Colour Body vitrified tiles.

2. Ceramic Tiles – Beautiful Designs at Practical Prices

Give your walls and interiors a fresh new look with ceramic tiles. Made primarily from clay and fired at high temperatures, ceramic tiles are valued for their decorative appeal, versatility and affordability.

Available in countless colours, patterns, textures and finishes, they are a popular choice for bathroom walls, kitchen backsplashes and other interior applications. Selected ceramic tiles can also be used for flooring, depending on their specifications and intended use.

If you love experimenting with colours, patterns and creative combinations without stretching your budget, ceramic tiles offer plenty of design options.

3. Porcelain Tiles – Refined, Dense and Durable

Want a tile that balances a sophisticated appearance with practical performance? Porcelain tiles are made using refined materials and fired at very high temperatures, creating a dense body with very low water absorption.

Suitable for a range of floor and wall applications, porcelain tiles are available in stunning designs inspired by natural marble, stone, wood and concrete. They can bring the charm of natural materials into your space while offering the convenience of a manufactured tile.

Choose the right porcelain tile based on its finish, slip resistance, strength and suitability for the area where it will be installed.

4. Clay Tiles – Natural Charm and Timeless Appeal

Bring warmth, earthy colours and a touch of tradition into your space with clay tiles. Made from natural clay that is shaped and fired, these tiles have a distinctive character that works beautifully with rustic, traditional and nature-inspired designs.

Depending on the type, clay tiles can be used for selected flooring, wall applications, roofing and other architectural features.

Their natural tones and textures can create spaces that feel warm, welcoming and connected to nature. They are an appealing choice for anyone who appreciates traditional aesthetics and an earthy design language.

Ask at our showroom to see the clay tile options currently available.

Types of Vitrified Tiles: Which One Is Right for You?

Vitrified tiles come in different constructions and surface finishes, each offering its own combination of appearance and performance. Here is a closer look at the popular options.

1. GVT & PGVT Tiles – Beautiful Finishes, Endless Possibilities

Love the look of marble, natural stone or wood? GVT and PGVT tiles make it possible to achieve these looks with the versatility of vitrified tiles.

GVT (Glazed Vitrified Tiles) feature a vitrified body with a decorative glazed surface. This allows for intricate patterns and realistic designs inspired by marble, stone, wood and concrete.

PGVT (Polished Glazed Vitrified Tiles) have a polished surface that creates a smooth, glossy and reflective appearance, making them a popular choice for interiors where an elegant finish is desired.

From sophisticated living rooms to stylish bedrooms and feature walls, GVT and PGVT tiles offer a wide range of design possibilities.

Ideal for: Interior floors and walls, depending on the product specifications and application.

2. Double Charge Vitrified Tiles – Made for Busy Spaces

Some spaces see more foot traffic than others. Double charge vitrified tiles are designed with this in mind.

These tiles are manufactured by combining two layers of material, with the decorative coloured layer forming a thicker surface than that of many conventional printed tiles. This construction can help the surface retain its appearance under everyday wear.

They are commonly considered for busy homes, shops, showrooms, corridors and other high-traffic areas.

Ideal for: Areas where durability, a practical finish and a clean, consistent appearance matter.

3. Full Body Vitrified Tiles – Colour Through the Tile

When choosing tiles for busy spaces, the construction beneath the surface matters too.

Full body vitrified tiles have colour and material characteristics that extend throughout the tile's thickness. As a result, minor surface wear is generally less conspicuous than it may be on tiles where the design is limited to the surface.

Their practical characteristics make them a popular option for commercial floors, shops, corridors and other areas that experience regular foot traffic.

Ideal for: High-traffic residential and commercial spaces, subject to the tile's technical specifications.

4. Colour Body Vitrified Tiles – A Consistent Look

Colour body vitrified tiles are manufactured with colour incorporated into the body beneath the decorative surface. This helps the exposed body colour remain closer to the surface colour if minor edge chipping occurs.

Available in a range of colours, patterns and finishes, they offer a balance of design appeal and practical everyday performance.

They can be considered for both residential and commercial interiors, depending on the product's strength, finish and intended application.

Ideal for: Spaces where a coordinated appearance and reduced visibility of minor edge chips are desirable.