Double Charge Vitrified Tiles in Bengaluru: Strength and Uses

Double charge vitrified tiles are built for floors that take a beating. Instead of a thin printed layer on top, they have a thick layer of coloured material pressed into the tile. If you want a floor that still looks good after years of chairs, shoes and daily mopping, this is one of the first types to look at.

What double charge tiles are

The name comes from how they are made. The press is "charged" with two layers of material: a base layer, and a top layer made of coloured pigment mixed with the body powder. Both are pressed together under high pressure and fired. The top layer is typically around 3 mm or more thick, much thicker than the glaze on a GVT tile.

After firing, the surface is usually polished to a gloss. Because the colour goes some depth into the tile, minor wear and scratches do not expose a different coloured body underneath. Water absorption is low, as with all vitrified tiles, usually under 0.5%.

Where they work, and where they don't

Good fit:

• Living rooms and halls in busy homes
• Shops, showrooms, clinics and offices
• Corridors and common areas in apartment buildings
• Rental properties where durability matters more than a statement look

Not the best fit:

• Bathroom floors and open balconies, since most double charge tiles are polished and slippery when wet
• Projects that need a realistic marble, wood or concrete look. For those, PGVT and GVT offer far more detail
• Outdoor driveways and parking, where parking tiles are designed for vehicle loads

Designs, sizes and finishes

Double charge designs are made from coloured powders, so patterns tend to be speckled, cloudy, granite-like or soft-veined. Colours are usually beige, ivory, grey, brown, black and white. If you like a calm, uniform floor, that is an advantage.

Common sizes are 600x600 mm and 800x800 mm, with some ranges in 600x1200 mm. Thickness is typically around 9 to 10 mm. The usual finish is polished glossy, with a few matt or satin options depending on availability.

How to choose

• Pick by colour tone first. Since patterns are subtle, the base colour drives the look of the room. Lighter tones make small Bengaluru apartment halls feel bigger.
• Check the polish. Look at the tile at an angle under a light. The reflection should be even without dull patches.
• Check the shade and batch. Double charge tiles can vary slightly between batches. Buy the full quantity at once. Read more in our batch, shade and grade guide.
• Consider 800x800 mm for halls. It gives fewer joints than 600x600 mm without the handling demands of very large slabs. See 800x800 mm tiles.

For a side by side comparison, read GVT vs PGVT vs double charge.

See the surface in person

Double charge tiles look best when you see the depth of colour in person. Call us to check current designs, or visit the shop with your hall size and we will lay a few out for you.