Confused? Can’t judge the difference between Marble and Granite tiles? No worries, I am here to help you out. The main problem a buyer faces is that he/she cannot judge the difference between marble and granite tiles. Firstly, one needs to know where these tiles can be used.
These tiles are used as natural stone counterparts, natural stone flooring, natural stone slabs, stone tiles for walls, stone tile fireplace, and many more. The geological composition is one of the primary quality assurance parameters. Before discussing the key differences between marble and granite, we need to know the origin of these two beautiful rock tiles.
The natural process of nature forms both these rocks. Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma deep in the earth, while marble is a metamorphic rock formed from carbon’s recrystallization. We acquire these rocks through quarrying and their use is in building materials. Marble and granite have prolonged ages; once bought, it can be used by your sons and even their sons. Now let’s discuss the difference between Marble and Granite.
Appearances and composition of Marble and Granite:
Granite has flecks like granular appearance while marble has veins that swirl through the stone. It is present in a variety of colors, while marble is usually found in black or white. Granite is a siliceous stone composed mainly of feldspar, quartz, and sandstone, while marble is a calcareous stone composed primarily of calcium carbonate, travertine, limestone onyx. Marble has a hardness of 3-4 on moh’s hardness scale, while Granite has a hardness around 6-7. Granite is a hard stone, and the absorption capacity of this stone is feeble. If we pour a lubricant on the surface of this rock, it will not absorb.
On the other hand, marble is a comparatively, very soft stone. The reason behind its softness is the porosity of this stone. Now the question arises that what is porosity? Don’t go anywhere. We are here to answer your questions. Porosity refers to the number of pores present is a stone or rock. When we pour lubricant or acid on this stone, it will absorb it and leave a spot on the surface. If you have marble in your house or have seen in anyone’s home, you will notice that if someone pours acid or any lubricant on the surface of marble, it will leave a spot.
Applications and Installation of Marble and Granite:
As I have discussed earlier that granite is a hard stone; therefore, it comes pre-polished from the processing unit where it is cut. Heavy machinery is needed to cut and polish this hard stone. On the other hand, marble is a relatively soft stone, and it is polished after its installation in the house. If someone says that he wants granite to be polished after the installation, it is possible that one might not find the heavy machinery required for polishing and even can’t find the labor for this challenging task.
The polishing price of granite is almost double to that of marble. There is minimal possibility that granite will have a seamless surface. Granite usually has joints on its surface, and it is difficult to find a piece with a clear surface. Granite is a perfect floor for heavy traffic areas because of its stiffness. We can install marble in a massive traffic area too, but we will have to find thick marble pieces than their usual size. It is challenging to find thick pieces because the marble market size is relatively thin, and this will not work great in busy areas like railway stations or bus stops.
The marble market size is usually not more than 15-16mm; therefore, it will be challenging to find marble with a thickness more than that. Granite is the perfect product for the kitchen top, while marble is not ideal for the kitchen top. It doesn’t mean that we can’t use marble for the kitchen top. Now the question arises that why we can’t use marble as a kitchen top?
The answer to this question is pretty simple: as discussed earlier, marble can absorb liquid, and in the case of acid, it will leave a spot. Leaving a spot on its surface will ruin the beauty of this stone. Marble is suitable for flooring, wall gliding because it gives a soft and beautiful look. Therefore it is best for soft use and decoration. Due to the hardness of granite, it is tough to mold. It is our desired shape, while marble is best for molding; it is our desired shape. Marble is used for making sculptures. I hope that I have cleared your doubts and answered questions regarding the difference between marble and granite.
The Bottom Line:
It is advised that counterparts, slabs, and tiles of marble and granite should be bought according to the requirement. When the place is crowded and hosts heavy traffic, then go for granite tiles, and if the area is not crowded and doesn’t host heavy traffic, it is advised to use marble tiles. If you need color variations, then the suggestion is to use marble tiles as it comes with many variations naturally, while granite is usually present in white and black color.
Still, have a question? No worries!!! Leave a comment below, and I will try my level best to answer them quickly. Thank You
Calacatta Cremo – Marble
Thanks for also explaining how the hardness scale works when it comes to granite and marble restoration services. I might need such services soon because my patio needs some repairs. After years of poor maintenance, the small damages on it definitely added up.