Marble vs Granite

Featured Image: Montclair White Marble Kitchen Island Countertop from Arizona Tile

Selecting a stone product during your home renovation can be a challenging decision, as it’s important to determine what works best for your space. Every material has a different look and feel, as well as particular demands for maintenance. As two of the most common stones, marble vs. granite is a common debate for renovators. To help you decide which best suits your needs, here are the similarities and differences between the two.

Marble

Bringing marble into your home redesign is the perfect way to add a splash of sophistication.

Durability

Marble is a hard, durable stone that will last a long time with proper maintenance. However, some considerations should be kept in mind. It is more porous than other natural stones, so it is prone to staining and scratching. It is recommended that a sealer be applied soon after installation and re-sealed every six months. This will penetrate the stone and allow it to breathe, permitting more of its natural beauty to shine through.

Also, be cautious of acid-based foods like citrus or tomatoes, as they can cause etching. While marble is one of the most heat-resistant products that you can use for countertops, it should be noted that it is a best practice to never place hot items such as pots and pans directly on natural stones – always use a hot pad or trivet.

Image: Bianco Venatino Marble Bathroom Shower Walls from Arizona Tile

Appearance

Marble most often comes in light, neutral tones, like whites, creams, and tans.  Often, these slabs have mineral deposits inside that create dazzling vein patterns throughout the stone-like our Bianco Venatino marble. These deposits come in all colors, but most often are metallic golds and grays. Occasionally, dark shades appear, as do incredibly beautiful patterns of varying color such as Arizona Tile’s Fantasy Ocean, Fantasy Zebra, and Fantasy Blue Satin.

Uses

Marble is often used for countertops, as it’s a stunning design feature for any kitchen. Also, when properly sealed, it is easy to care for and maintain. Be sure to wipe it prior to cleaning with warm water or a pH-neutral cleaner and clean spills quickly to reduce “beauty marks” from use. Mats and coasters can be used to help prevent etching and scratching, and there are products that can be used to remove many types of stains.

Marble can make a great shower interior. The smooth veining patterns that naturally occur in the material has a flowing look that matches the energy of running water. This helps create a serene vibe inside the space. Also, the light tones encourage a clean, relaxing appearance. Keep in mind marble in wet spaces will need to be resealed routinely to avoid staining. Other interior walls in living spaces also benefit from laid marble features, as its aesthetic appeal is sophisticated and timeless.

As flooring, marble also shines. The vein motifs within slabs can add a touch of interest to the space’s floor without overwhelming the room design. It is a fantastic way to gently guide the eye toward a space and invite guests in. Since marble comes in a variety of neutral colors as well as stand-out shades, you can decide whether or not you want it to be a feature or subtle statement that is easy to match with any existing design plan or color scheme.

As a heat-resistant stone, marble is a great choice for outlining your fireplace. The beauty of the stone will turn your fireplace into an impressive design feature and uplift the space.

Image: Black Pearl Granite Kitchen Island Countertop from Arizona Tile

Granite

Granite is a natural, classic material in home renovation. And since it is a product of nature, no two countertops or slabs are alike.

Durability

Due to the extreme conditions in which it is formed, as well as its mineral composition, granite is one of the hardest and most durable surfaces available. Although granite is one of the least-absorbent, most stain-resistant materials that exist, the unsealed stone is more susceptible to absorbing moisture, dirt, and cleaning chemicals. Therefore, it is recommended that a sealer be applied soon after installation.

Like marble, granite is also incredibly heat resistant. However, it is best to never place hot items on any stone – simply use a hot pad or trivet. Also, because it is a natural stone, it is always a good idea to use best practices. Clean spills up immediately to avoid possible staining, as it is possible to experience acid burns from acid liquids or citrus juices. Do not use scouring powders or creams, as these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Appearance

Granite comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The stone naturally occurs in most warm, cool, and neutral colors. Like marble, it often also has mineral deposits throughout that create interesting patterns. Veining, color waves, and stratified shades can develop within the stone. These minerals come in many metallic and matte shades;  The color and pattern combinations are infinite!

Granite also varies in appearance within the same color, from piece to piece, and lot to lot, depending on where and when it was mined. Varying gloss level, pitting and resin-filled fissures may occur in some granites and should be considered when making a product selection.

It is sometimes a standard practice to repair some of these variations by one or more of the following methods; waxing, grinding, or filling. Due to normal wear, cracks and voids may appear; these can be readily repaired using different types of resin or epoxies. All of these variations and characteristics are common and present, to some degree. However, these characteristics are part of the natural beauty of the stone and will not impair the function or wearing qualities of the material.

Image: Titanium Granite Stone Tabletop from Arizona Tile

Uses

As a countertop, granite is a bit hardier than marble. Both make great countertops, but its durable, naturally stain-resistant surface makes granite an amazing countertop choice for dedicated cooks.

Since granite comes in such a wide range of beautiful colors with incredible varied movement and veining within each slab, they make fantastic interior feature walls. In living spaces, this adds a hint of modernity as well as organic energy to the room. Most granites can also be used as shower walls. The variety of available shades means you can find a slab to suit any bathroom design. The smooth, cool surface of the stone creates a peaceful feeling guests will love to relax in.

Granite is remarkably heat-resistant, making it an excellent selection for your fireplace surround. Since each piece of granite is one-of-a-kind, it makes a wonderful design feature. It’s also the perfect place for guests and family members to gather and enjoy the warmth of the fire and the beauty of the stone itself.

Some granite colors stand out for potential exterior uses. When sealed, there are many granite selections that can handle all the elements. When designing your outdoor patio or garden space, keep granite in mind for those finishing touches and accent pieces. Slabs can also be constructed into stylish benches. It can be used as a tabletop surface for outdoor furniture as well. Get creative – the design possibilities and countless!

Let Us Guide You

Ultimately, there is no one right answer when debating marble vs. granite. What slab is best will change depending on your lifestyle, design vision, and utility needs. Our team at Arizona Tile has the knowledge and experience to help you decide what material is best for your family.

Explore our unique stone offerings at one of our locations, or play around with our design tools to see what your selections might look like in a room or backyard patio. Contact us today to get started remodeling your space.