Marble vs tile floor: Know the difference 

Have you been considering the best flooring option for a space in your home? Are you stuck between marble or tile flooring? If yes, keep reading. 

Choice, flavor, class, safety, durability, and price are all factors to consider. Often, any of these six considerations will determine whether or not you choose to use tiles or marbles to floor your interiors or exteriors.

What is marble?

Marble flooring is a high-end material that may be found in high-end residences, restaurants, hotels, temples, cathedrals, and mosques, among other places. As a symbol of grandeur and opulence, marble is the best choice for indoor places such as halls and bedrooms, and its lovely natural look adds to the aesthetic appeal.

What is a tile?

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a tile is a flat or curved piece of fired clay, stone, or concrete used especially for roofs, floors, or walls and often for ornamental work. Ceramic floor tiles are popular in interior design these days because they create a lovely look in the room. Tiles vary in type, size, and functionality and this, in turn, informs their costs. Tiles are being manufactured with specific needs of space consumption, traffic, and footfalls in mind. 

Differences between a marble and a tile 

What are the differences between these types of flooring? Let’s take a look. 

Marble is a natural stone, tiles are not

Marble is a natural stone that is less uniform than tiles, allowing for considerable variations in the same stone from the same lot. While the appearance and color of tiles are meticulously controlled during the manufacturing process, the finished result has tiny variances across batches.

Read Also: How to choose the right tiles for your home

Different finishing patterns 

Marble has a glossy finish and can be tumbled or honed, whereas tiles come in glazed and unglazed versions and have a more natural appearance due to the pattern screen printed on their surface.

Tiles are eco-friendly, marbles are not 

Because they are made with safety procedures, tiles are non-toxic and may be recycled in some cases. Marbles, on the other hand, are not an environmentally friendly alternative because they are a non-renewable resource that requires energy-intensive operations to obtain. These processes over time have a negative impact on the environment.

Porosity 

Marbles are porous and easily stained. This implies that water, other liquids, and even bacteria can penetrate the surface of the countertops, tables, and wall surfaces where marbles can be used, staining the marble. Tiles are not porous and stain-resistant. 

Installation & Maintenance

Marble installation requires a high level of precision, with great attention paid to each slab in terms of the grains and joinery. It requires expertise for each step of the installation process making the installation process time-consuming. Tile installation, on the other hand, is quick, with shorter turnaround times. Marble is a natural stone and so its maintenance requires professional knowledge and expertise. As a result, the choice of marble in spaces must be thoroughly considered. Tiles, however, are easier to clean and maintain by the homeowners without needing the expertise of professionals. 

Conclusion 

In both home and business settings, while comparing marble vs tile floors, you should know that both are employed as flooring options. However, the choice of either marble or tile must be thoroughly considered to ensure that the benefits of either option are maximized and the negatives minimized. However, those looking for a cost-effective alternative might consider tiles with varying colors, types, and sizes.