Natural stone tiles have become a popular choice for flooring in a home because they can be used to create an elegant, unique style and they are very durable.  When it comes to choosing the materials for natural stone flooring, two types of stone that are used often are granite and marble.  Each stone is available in different colors and textures and granite is naturally a harder stone which makes granite tiles stronger than marble tiles.  When choosing between these two types of natural stone tiles for flooring, you should take the application as well as the following into account.

Marble flooring in a kitchen

The Appearance of Marble and Granite Tiles

Marble and granite have very different looks from each other as marble tiles come in light colors with a variety of veining patterns and granite tiles are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  When choosing between the two for a certain area of your house, the appearance should play a role.  If you think the room would look better with lighter colors in a more elegant style, then marble tiles are your best option.  If you want to create unique colors and patterns with your natural stone flooring, then granite is your best bet.

Physical Properties of Granite and Marble

In addition to the physical appearance of granite and marble tiles, you should also take the physical properties of each natural stone into account.  Both marble and granite are naturally porous stones which means that any liquid spilled on the tiles will penetrate the stone and cause it to stain.  Spills need to be cleaned up quickly on both stones to prevent staining, especially on marble tiles that are less resilient than granite.  Marble flooring usually requires a polishing process and the application of a sealant to protect it from stains and scratches.  Granite is naturally more resistant to scratches and holds up better from staining, making it a great option for kitchens and bathrooms.

Granite and Marble Tile Maintenance

As mentioned above, marble tiles are less resilient than granite tiles which means that they require more maintenance.  Marble flooring must be sealed and polished in order to keep its natural luster and it should be cleaned regularly with cleaning products made specifically for marble stone.

Granite tiles

Installation of Granite and Marble Tiles

Installing marble and granite tiles is very similar to installing all types of tile flooring and begins with establishing the layout of the tiles to fit the desired pattern into the space.  Once the layout is decided, both marble and granite tiles can be put in place with specific adhesives.  Each stone requires a different material to fill the spaces between the tiles as cement should be used for marble tiles and grout for granite tiles.

Natural stone flooring is a durable and visually appealing option for just about any area of a home but you should make sure to take these factors into account when deciding between granite or marble tiles for flooring.  Marble provides an elegant look but it requires more maintenance than granite which also comes in many more styles and colors.  If you still cannot decide which natural stone works best for your application or would like to hire a professional to install the tiles for your natural stone flooring, talk to a natural stone professional about your options for materials and installation services.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.