Marble vs granite flooring: which material should you opt for?
There’s no question that getting a natural stone floor in your home is the ultimate design choice offering both stunning beauty and industry-leading durability. Natural stone comes in a wide variety of different materials, from limestone and travertine to quartz and onyx.
However, in recent years there has been a resurgence in interest in marble and granite flooring. Both of these options bring many pros and are a good choice for incorporation in just your home’s flooring but also your walls, fireplaces, vanities, kitchen benchtops and more.
So, how do you know which type of flooring is right for you? Have a read of our handy guide below before making your decision and if you’re still not sure, our lovely staff members will be more than happy to answer any additional questions you might have.
Marble Flooring
What is Marble?
Marble might be the most well known type of natural stone. This metamorphic rock is composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most often dolomite or calcite, to form a single crystal. Over the course of many, many years and through a process involving intense pressure and heat, limestone transforms into the gorgeous stone we know of as marble.
Marble stone is iconic for its glamorous aesthetic, often underscored by distinctive veining or cloudy patterns. While there are many different colours of marble, the classic white or off-white with grey veins is perhaps the most famous.
Pros of Marble Flooring
Marble is, in a word, exceptional. There are few materials that you can incorporate in your home that will stun and drop the jaw as effectively as marble. This is of course understandable because the visual allure of the stone is what’s made it such a sought after construction material for centuries.
As mentioned, while marble is perhaps most well known for coming in white and light colouring, this wonderful stone is actually available in a range of colours. Moreover, marble slabs often contain a versatile pattern of shades, clouds and veining, so if you’re a fan of marble but a little concerned that your choice of colour is restricted, don’t worry!
Marble is very easy to maintain. This durable stone simply requires a bit of diligence to keep clean, it’s not the difficult substance that some people mistake it to be. With a glossy, smooth finish, a stretch of marble flooring will be sure to take your home to a whole new level.
Cons of Marble Flooring
Marble flooring does have a few drawbacks. For one, it’s a premium material so it comes with a premium price. When you’re using marble for a splashback, vanity or even a benchtop, this price can be more manageable because of the size of the application.
Your flooring is a different story.
The amount of marble required is significant so this will affect the bottom line.
While marble is absolutely great value for money, not everyone has the budget for this luxurious stone. Another con of marble is that it does require ongoing maintenance and twice-a-year resealing.
Part of what makes marble special as a natural stone also makes it more porous. This means it can be subject to more staining and damage than other stones. If you’re incorporating your marble flooring in a bathroom or kitchen this is one thing, but throughout the rest of your house–while something to consider–if you’re careful with your maintenance it certainly can be easily managed.
Granite Flooring
What is Granite?
Granite is the iconically grainy-looking natural rock. Made of igneous rock, it is composed of almost entirely quartz, plagioclase and alkali feldspar. Granite is formed from hot magma that slowly cools and solidifies in a long-term process deep underground.
Because it consists of numerous minerals and quartz crystals, it boasts a coarse-grained aesthetic which is both beautiful and intensely visually engaging.
Granite is a versatile material for use in both interior and exterior designers. While it makes for a practical and stylish floor, granite can also be used in benchtops, splashbacks, fireplaces, walls, and staircases.
Pros of Granite Flooring
There are many pros to choosing granite flooring. Firstly, it is a beautiful natural stone that comes in a wide range of colours and shades. It’s easy to find the perfect style to suit your home because there is simply so much choice available.
Additionally, if you’re looking for something with a bit of visual depth and sophistication, the coarse grainy aesthetic of granite is sure to cause you to fall madly in love.
On the practical side, granite is excellent as well. It is among the most highly durable of natural stones and is quite resistant to acidic liquid, protecting it from spills and other exposure to damaging chemicals. Granite requires very little by way of maintenance to keep it looking as beautiful and new as the day it was installed.
Cons of Granite Flooring
While far less porous than marble, granite flooring is made of a natural stone and for that reason does require some resealing every year or two. While the cleaning and maintenance requirements are not nearly as taxing when it comes to granite, there is some ongoing tender love and care that it will need.
The other con to granite, similar to marble, is that it too is a premium material which means it’s a more expensive option compared with cheaper flooring alternatives. Once more, for our money, it’s certainly a worthwhile investment both from an emotional point of view (there are few things more stunning) and a financial point of you (thanks to its long term durability and hardiness).
Getting your flooring from Euro Marble? The sky’s the limit!
The discussion around marble vs granite flooring is a tough one. Both are high quality, gorgeous natural stone materials that make for excellent floors in a home. While both have subtle pros and cons, at the end of the day it’s your choice.
Of course, just because it’s your choice doesn’t mean you’re on your own! Euro Marble is always here to help you with any questions or concerns you have relating to marble and/or granite flooring. Contact us today to find out more.
