GVT vs PGVT vs Double Charge Tiles: Which Vitrified Tile to Buy

Walk into any tile shop and you will hear GVT, PGVT, double charge and full body. All four are vitrified tiles. The difference is how the design is applied and how deep it goes. That affects the look, the shine, and how the tile wears over the years.

The short version

• GVT (Glazed Vitrified Tile): vitrified body with a digitally printed glaze on top. Huge design variety, including marble, wood, stone and concrete looks.
• PGVT (Polished Glazed Vitrified Tile): a GVT that is polished after glazing for a high-gloss finish.
• Double charge: two layers of pigment are pressed together into the tile, giving a design layer that is usually around 3 to 4 mm thick.
• Full body: the colour and pattern run through the full thickness of the tile.

Comparison table

Values vary by manufacturer. Treat the table as a general guide.

GVT: the all-rounder

GVT tiles are the most common vitrified tiles today because digital printing allows realistic designs at sensible cost. You can get wooden finish, marble finish, stone and cement looks, in matt, satin or textured surfaces.

Good for: bedrooms, kitchens, dining areas, walls, and with a matt or textured finish, balconies.

Watch out for: the design is only in the glaze. A deep chip from a dropped vessel will show the plain body underneath.

PGVT: the high-gloss look

PGVT gives that bright, reflective, marble-like floor many people want in the living room. It makes rooms feel bigger and brighter, which helps in apartments with limited daylight.

Good for: living rooms, bedrooms, showrooms with controlled foot traffic.

Watch out for:

• It is slippery when wet. Avoid it in bathrooms, balconies and entrances where rain comes in.
• Sand and grit from outside act like sandpaper. Over time, busy paths can lose some shine. Bengaluru's dust makes doormats and regular sweeping important.
• Glossy floors show footprints and smudges more than matt.

Our guide on matt vs glossy tiles goes deeper on finish choice.

Double charge: built for wear

Because the design layer is thick, a double charge tile keeps its look even as the surface wears. Designs are simpler, usually speckled, salt-and-pepper or soft veined patterns, because the pressing method cannot match digital print detail.

Good for: shops, offices, corridors, staircases in independent houses, and family homes with heavy daily traffic.

Watch out for: less choice in designs, and patterns can look plainer than GVT.

Full body: the toughest option

Full body vitrified tiles have the same material all the way through. Scratches and chips are much less visible. They are common in commercial spaces, parking areas and outdoor use.

Good for: commercial floors, parking, heavy-use outdoor areas.

Watch out for: fewer decorative options.

How to choose for your home

A few buying tips

• Check the box for size, grade, shade and batch number, and buy all your tiles from one batch.
• Look at the tile under natural light, not only showroom lights. High-gloss tiles look very different in daylight.
• Ask to see the edge and back of the tile so you can see the design depth for yourself.
• Read our guide on how to check tile quality before you buy.

Compare them in person

The easiest way to decide is to put a PGVT, a GVT and a double charge tile next to each other and look at them under daylight. Visit Patidar Ceramic and we will show you what is currently in stock in each type.