A frequent question that comes into mind when people think about which type of natural stone should be used marble or granite? It’s one of the most common questions between these two terms. Marble and granite both are natural stones, have their own properties.
In this article, you will see the similarity and differences between marble and granite. Both granite and marble are naturally found stones extracted from the earth. Also, both marble and granite have some similarities as well. Both marble and granite are natural stones and extracted after mining.
These stones are long-lasting and have multiple uses such as wall cladding, flooring, countertops, vanity tops, stairs.
Marble & Granite Composition
One of the first little differences is the composition of each stone. Marble is a metamorphic rock comprising of recrystallized carbonate minerals like dolomite or calcite, whereas granite is fundamentally an igneous rock, which has approximately 65% of alumina and 20% of silica. Since granite is harder than marble, it’s also more resistant.
These characteristics make granite the most used in kitchen countertops or laundry rooms because it is known for being resistant to scratches and stains which are caused by using sharp knives. It has been used for centuries for both indoor and outdoor applications.
The hardness of Marble & Granite
Granite is a harder and stronger stone as compared to marble. It is mostly known as the most durable and harder natural stone due to its composition. That is the reason it is resistant to heat, stain and can easily withstand hot cookware, therefore, it is perfect for kitchen tops and countertops.
It is preferred for public places due to its high durability and hardness over marble. But in the case of marble, the stains cannot be removed easily a marble has no way of getting its shine back. Marble is a soft stone due to its composition.
It is less durable as compared to granite stone which makes it useful for private places like homes and offices because of the less amount of flow of People. For this reason, granite is often found in public places, kitchens while marble is more commonly found in other areas, like bathrooms, indoor areas, and outdoor areas.
Reactivity to Acidic substance: Marble and Granite Both natural stones are porous but the metamorphic composition of marble makes it more porous than granite which makes it easily stained by spills acidic liquids like lemon juices and wines.
While granite is much more resistant to stains as long as an effective sealant is maintained on the surface liquid spills will not permeate into the surface.
Appearance of Stone
Marble and granite are varying from each other in terms of appearance. Granite is found in a polished appearance while marble has unpolished appurtenance.
However, with certain polishing sealants, modern granite can be made to look much glossier than marble, on the other hand, has a greyish or Marble has a cream color with veins on its background. Granite has consistent color and variations while marble has slight color variations.
Granite variations are generally found as flecking throughout the stone on the other Marble color variations are found as colorful veins that swirl throughout the stone.
Major Application Areas
Granite’s hard structure and durability make it perfect for kitchen countertops, worktops, and floors while marble is preferred for the areas with less traffic, like a home, office where it can be used for tub decks, shower walls, vanities, and flooring.
Many homeowners prefer the look of natural stone while choosing countertops for the kitchen or bathroom, which offers high durability. Granite is one of the famous and most popular countertop materials and the perfect choice for modern or traditional houses.
On the other hand, marble is a classic choice that offers a unique and endless look for high-end homes and is perfect for surfaces that are used less frequently.
Durability of Material
In terms of durability Granite is the most durable natural countertop material due to its composition and it is the best-known material for resisting stains, cracks, and chips well. When you put Hotpots on the granite countertop, you wipe away easily.
Marble is also a very strong and durable stone. It is resistant to damage but it is much more porous than granite, therefore, Placing hot cookware on marble may cause damage to the stone, and acidic foods or liquids, like vinegar or lemon or lime juice, stains cannot be removed from marble.
However, both materials are long-lasting and remain beautiful for years in the home. So it’s important to pick the correct material for the space to ensure that damage doesn’t occur.
Maintenance of Stone
Marble requires more maintenance than granite while granite requires less maintenance once in a year as marble surface requires more sealants for cleaning to avoid damaging the porous stone.
By using a cleaning sealant, you can avoid discoloring the marble. So it is suggested to seal the marble up once or twice a year and in the case of granite, it can be done about once every two years.
Cost of Marble & Granite
Granite costs around 60 rs to 500 rs per square foot, including the cost of installation. Marble costs 25 rs to 300rs per square foot. Costs vary according to color and general appearance.
High-quality marble can be more expensive than high-quality. The actual price on the quality of the material, variations, color, and pattern of tiles.
Conclusion:
We hope the guide on the difference between marble and granite is useful for you now. Marble and Granite both have their own characteristics. It completely depends on the space where you are going to install this stone.