Glazed Porcelain Tiles vs Vitrified Tiles – Key Differences Explained

Jan 2026

If you’ve ever looked at Glazed Porcelain Tiles and Vitrified Tiles and thought, “Aren’t these basically the same?”

You are most welcome here, because we are going to answer that for you!

Well, they indeed look almost the same. Both come in glossy, premium-looking finishes, both can look super sleek, and both are used in modern spaces all the time.

But hear us out, the difference shows up once you get into the details. 

You’ll notice they’re built differently, and that affects where they work best and how long they last.

Brands such as Lavish Ceramics typically offer multiple options within these categories, making it important to understand the technical distinctions before making a final selection.

What are Vitrified Tiles?

Vitrified tiles are basically made by mixing clay with silica and a few other minerals, and then firing the whole thing at really high temperatures.

Fun fact: The term “vitrification” refers to the process where the tile body becomes partially glass-like because of intense heat. This gives vitrified tiles their known properties:

• High strength
• Low water absorption
• Long service life
• Resistance to everyday wear

So what makes vitrified tiles a solid choice?

• They’re dense and sturdy, so they don’t crack easily with daily use.
• They barely absorb moisture, which is why they work well in most indoor spaces.
• They have a uniform body, meaning the material is consistent throughout the tile.
• And you get plenty of finish options too, like polished, matte, or textured, depending on the vibe you want.

Many mid to premium flooring projects use vitrified tiles because they balance durability & cost-efficiency. In product portfolios like Lavish Ceramics, vitrified tile options are often selected for residential and commercial floors where consistent quality is a priority.

What are Glazed Porcelain Tiles?

Glazed Porcelain Tiles are basically porcelain tiles with an extra glaze layer on top.

Now, porcelain itself is already a stronger, more refined type of ceramic. It’s made using finer clay and fired at higher temperatures, which makes the tile body super compact and dense.

The glaze is a coating applied to the surface, which is then fused during firing, giving the tile:

• Enhanced stain resistance
• Better aesthetic detailing
• Print clarity and design versatility.

When brands like Lavish Ceramics position Glazed Porcelain Tiles for premium spaces, the reason usually includes both technical strength and design superiority.

What are the core differences?

Okay, so now that we know what both of them are, let’s get to the main point: what actually makes them different?

Because yes, they can look similar, but they’re not built the same way.

Difference 1: Material Composition and Tile Body Density

Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles are made with clay + silica and other minerals, pressed under high pressure, and fired at high temperature to become dense and durable.

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are made from more refined raw materials, and they’re fired at high temperatures, too.

This usually results in a denser and more compact body than many standard vitrified tiles, although both categories are considered strong.

Difference 2: Water Absorption and Porosity

This one is a big deal technically, so don’t skip it.

Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles naturally have low porosity because of the vitrification process.

So yes, water absorption stays low, which is why they work well for most indoor residential and commercial flooring.

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain already has very low water absorption to begin with.

And when you add a glazed layer on top, the surface becomes even more resistant to stains and moisture sneaking in.

In moisture-sensitive zones, customers often prefer Glazed Porcelain Tiles from brands like Lavish Ceramics, especially when the project demands both aesthetics and performance stability.

Difference 3: Surface Design Quality and Print Sharpness

Vitrified Tiles

With vitrified tiles, the look depends a lot on the type you’re choosing. Some are plain-bodied with a more uniform shade, and some do come in patterns, but the design range can feel slightly limited depending on the category.

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Glazed porcelain is basically the “design-friendly” one.

That glaze layer helps you get sharper prints, better detailing, and more modern finish options, without the tile looking dull or flat.

Difference 4: Scratch Resistance and Wear Performance

Scratch resistance depends on both:

1. the surface finish
2. How the tile is used

Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles are generally tough and built for regular use.

But if you go for the polished variants, they can start showing micro-scratches over time, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic. That said, for most homes, they work completely fine as long as you maintain them properly.

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Glazed porcelain tiles come with a protective glazed top layer, which basically acts like a shield on the surface.

So they tend to handle stains and surface-level wear better, but yes, it still depends on how good the glaze quality is. A high-quality glaze usually keeps the finish looking fresh for longer, even in daily-use spaces.

One quick thing to remember: 

A glossy tile of any type may show scratches more easily than a matte or textured tile, especially in commercial zones.

This is where Lavish Ceramics’ recommendations matter, because correct surface selection (glossy vs matte vs textured) often matters more than the label alone.

Difference 5: Visual Finish and Luxury Appeal 

Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles can look premium, but their surface effect depends on whether they are:

• double-charged
• soluble salt
• glazed vitrified category

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Glazed porcelain ranges often deliver premium aesthetics because glazing enables high-end finishes such as:

• marble look
• onyx look
• concrete look
• wood plank look
• artistic patterns

GVT tiles and PGVT Tiles

If the requirement is “high design & shiny finish,” then:

• GVT tiles provide detailed printed surfaces

• PGVT Tiles provide detailed printed surfaces with a polished, glossy finish

In luxury apartment projects, many designers select PGVT Tiles from Lavish Ceramics to achieve a polished, reflective visual experience, especially in large halls and open living spaces.

Wrapping Up

Both Glazed Porcelain Tiles and Vitrified Tiles are great choices. The better one really depends on what your project needs, like how much moisture the area gets, how heavy the foot traffic is going to be, what kind of look you want, and how much maintenance you’re okay with.

If the priority is refined aesthetics with surface protection, Glazed Porcelain Tiles are typically a stronger fit. If the priority is durable everyday flooring with wide application flexibility, Vitrified Tiles remain a reliable solution.

For buyers looking for design-rich options, GVT tiles and PGVT Tiles bridge the gap by offering vitrified durability with advanced surface finishes.