Vitrified Tile — Full Body, GVT and Double Charge
Vitrified tile is pressed ceramic tile fired to low porosity, so its body vitrifies into a dense, largely impervious mass. Full body tile carries its colour through the whole thickness for heavy traffic, double charge has a thick pigment wear layer, and glazed vitrified tile (GVT) has a printed glaze that allows any pattern but can wear through.
By Dhruv Agarwal · · 1 min read
What it is
Pressed ceramic tile fired to low porosity, where the body vitrifies into a dense, largely impervious mass. The standard hard floor finish in Indian commercial and residential construction.
The types
| Type | Wear surface | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Full body | Through the thickness | Heavy traffic, industrial, commercial |
| Double charge | Thick pigment layer | General commercial, corridors |
| Glazed (GVT) | Printed glaze | Design-led areas, moderate traffic |
| Polished | Polished surface | Dry lobbies only — slip risk |
Specification at a glance
| Property | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| Standard | IS 15622, or EN 14411 group BIa |
| Water absorption | Below 0.5% |
| Slip rating | R-class stated for wet areas |
| Format | Up to 1200 × 2400mm in large formats |
| Rectification | Rectified edges for narrow joints |
| Thickness | 8mm — 12mm typical for floors |
What the specification must state
Tile type, not just size and colour · water absorption class · slip rating per area · rectified or non-rectified edges · joint width, since rectified tiles allow narrow joints but demand a flatter substrate · adhesive class and coverage requirement · movement joint positions.
Where projects go wrong
- Polished tile at entrances. It is dangerous when wet.
- GVT in heavy traffic, wearing through the glaze in lanes.
- Dab-fixed large formats, leaving voids that crack under point loads.
- Movement joints omitted across large floor areas, so tiles tent and pop.
- Batch and shade variation not checked before laying.
Standards referenced
Pressed ceramic tile specification under IS 15622 and EN 14411. Slip resistance classification per DIN 51130 practice.
Standards referenced
- IS 15622 — Pressed ceramic tiles — specification (Bureau of Indian Standards)
- EN 14411 — Ceramic tiles — definitions and classification (CEN-CENELEC)
- IS 15622 / DIN 51130 — Slip resistance classification (Bureau of Indian Standards)
Frequently asked
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