Guess what is the first question that will come to your mind when deciding on your house’s flooring. “Should I use granite or marble flooring? Which one is the best?”
Both granite and marble are top players in the flooring industry and are the first choice for people to use for their homes or other buildings. While granite is known for its sturdiness and durability, marble is known for its classy and elegant look.
In this article, we will look into the differences between the Granite and marble floorings and their pros and cons. This will help you decide which one will be the best for your preferences and needs.
Marble Or Granite Which Is Better For Flooring
Both marble and granite floorings are best floorings in their own ways. However, a detailed comparison of some features between the two will give a better idea of which to choose.
| Features | Marble | Granite |
| Durability | Marble is less durable than granite and is comparatively less resistant to scratches. | Granite is more durable than marble and is more resistant to scratches. |
| Acidic resistance | Marble is less resistant to etching from acidic substances. | Granite is more resistant to etching from acidic substances. |
| Porous | Marble is not that dense and is more porous than granite. | Granite is a denser stone with low porosity. |
| Cost | Marble is less expensive than most other floorings. | Granite is more expensive than most other floorings. |
| Damage by strong chemical cleaning liquids | The high porosity of marble allows it to absorb the chemical liquids, making it more susceptible to etching and damage. | Granite is less porous and dense. So chemical liquids can’t seep through and damage the stone. |
| Stains | Marble is more porous making it more susceptible to stains and other damages. | Granite is less porous making it more resistant to stains and other damages. |
| Outdoors | Marbel is susceptible to heat and scratches. So, it is not that suitable for outdoors. | Granite hight is heat and scratch resistant, making it a better choice for outdoors. |
| Heat resistance | Marble is only moderately heat resistant and can etch or discolor if exposed to too much heat. | Granite is highly heat resistant, making it a good choice for kitchen or fireplace floorings. |
| Scratch resistance | Marbe is less scratch resistant. | Granite is more scratch resistant than marble. |
| Maintenance | Marble is high maintenance and requires polishing at least once a year. | Granite is low maintenance and only needs polishing once every few years. |
| Appearance | Marble has a more classier look and is often bought for its premium appearance. | Granite also looks goods but less so compared to marble. |
| Used for | Marble is used in low-traffic areas like bedroom, hallway, and entryway floorings. | Used in high traffic areas like kitchen and bathroom flooring, Granite stairs, and countertops. |
| Origin | Formed when existing rocks undergo intense heat and pressure. | Forms from the cooling and solidification of molten magma. |
| Environmentally-friendly | Both marble and granite are less environment friendly as the extraction and processing (mining, cutting, polishing) can cause dust and pollution. | |
| Health risks | Some marble varieties can contain asbestos, a potential carcinogen, that can cause lung cancer. | Some granite varieties can emit radon gas, a potential carcinogen, that can cause lung cancer. |
Pros & Cons Of Using Marble For Flooring
Benefits Of Using Marble For Flooring
- Elegant, luxurious, and has a premium look.
- With proper care and maintenance, marbe floors can last for decades.
- Easy to clean and maintain than most other floorings.
Cons Of Using Marble For Flooring
- Marble flooring is more expensive than other flooring.
- Marble is porous, so it must be sealed to prevent stains.
- It is less scratch or chip-resistant.
- Polished marble can be slippery when wet, leading to accidents.
Pros & Cons Of Using Granite For Flooring
Benefits Of Using Granite For Flooring
- Granite is highly dense and practically indestructible.
- It is less porous and is highly stain and chip-resistant.
- Granite is a natural insulator and helps regulate room temperature.
- It is not that slippery and easy to walk on.
Cons Of Using Granite For Flooring
- Granite is more expensive than most other floorings.
- Though it very rarely stains, granite also needs to be sealed to prevent stains from forming over time.
- Granite is very dense and hard. It can be uncomfortable to stand in granite for a long period.
Conclusion
Now you know the difference between marble and granite. Both are premium flooring materials and sever different purposes. Marble is more classy andis suitable for low-traffic areas like bedroom, hallways, etc.
Granite, on the other hand, are strong and dense, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like kitchen, bathrooms, outdoors, etc. so, understand your needs and choose your flooring stone wisely. You can also consult a professional if you need an expert opinion.
FAQs
1. What is the durability of marble and granite?
Marble is less durable than granite and is comparatively less resistant to scratches and chips. Whereas, granite is denser and more durable than marble and is more resistant to scratches.
2. What are some pros of installing marble flooring?
Here are some of the pros of installing marble flooring in your house.
- Elegant, luxurious, and has a premium look.
- With proper care and maintenance, marbe floors can last for decades.
- Easy to clean and maintain than most other floorings.
3. How do marble and granite floorings appear?
Marble has a more classier look and is often bought for its premium appearance. Whereas, granite also looks goods but less so compared to marble.