Marble VS Marble Tiles & Countertops
THE ETERNAL STRUGGLE FOR YOUR 'HOME SHANTI HOME'!
Should we colonize other planets?
Should the world ban petrol cars?
Should India legalize and fine people for too many WhatsApp forwards?
Should I use marble or marble tiles?
Time and again we are on the horns of the dilemmaand when it comes close to home, one just wants to forget the planet, the world, and social media and concentrate on the home - marble or marble tiles? And then one wants to be absolutely sure about the choices onemakes - especially when you have to walk on your decision every day!
So here we arewith adetailed description and comparison of both surface materials that will empower you to make an informed decision. Understand the dissimilarity of Marble vs. Marble tiles and countertop profile - check what suits your specific needs and home conditions and make the right choice.
Before finding out more about what makes marble and marble tiles + countertop profile different from each other, here are some significant parameters based on which you will be able to perceive the distinct contrast and draw conclusion according to your prerequisites:
-> COMPOSITION - THE WHAT
Marble is a natural stone that is made by limestone's metamorphic crystallization resulting in the conversion of calcium carbonate into calcite crystals.
Marble tiles and countertops profile, on the other hand, are made from the likes of silicates, clay fired, etc., at high temperatures.
-> CLASSIFICATIONS - THE SELECTION
Marble is available in a myriad of shades and colors which are due to the geographical processes taking place that formed the stone.
Marble tiles and countertop profiles are also available in multiple forms resembling natural stones and the best part is - they flaunt a similar tone and texture. These options can be used as both floor & wall tiles.
-> THE FINISH - THAT LOOK YOU LOVE
Polished marble comes with a glossy finish, tumbled or honed.
Marble tiles and countertop profilesare available in both glazed and unglazed varieties. Also, the pattern screen printed on its surface imparts a natural look.
-> POROSITY - THE MAIN FUNCTION
Marble has relatively high porosity when compared with tiles as it is a stone with a robust crystalline structure. It is for this reason marble can be polished to shine.
Marble Tiles have relatively low porosity and are thus perfect to be used in high moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
-> STAIN-PROOF - THAT ONE DEADLY USP
Another parameter that makes both options quite different from each other is the stain-proof feature. Marble tends to get stained easily.
Marble Tiles do not get stained and are easier to maintain because of their superior glaze and non-porous surface.
-> VARIATIONS - THAT POSITIVE PLUS
While marble is a natural stone and wide differences can be spotted in the same stone of the same lot. Hence one can surmise that marble is a little less consistent than tiles.
Contrary to this, when the marble tiles are made, their appearance and colors are carefully controlled. This results in an end product that comes with a sleek design with hardly any variations.
-> ECO-FRIENDLY - A DEFINITE DECIDING POINT
Marble cannot be considered an eco-friendly option as it is a non-renewable resource and extracting it requires energy-intensive processes. The impact these processes have on the environment is irreversible.
Marble Tiles, on the other hand, fare better than marble as they can be recycled, they are non-toxic, and are manufactured using safe eco-friendly processes.
-> PRICE - MATTERS!
Marble is more expensive than marble tiles and countertop profiles. This is because tiles are man-made while marble is a natural stone that has to be mined and extracted using costly procedures. Moreover, only high-quality marble looks good in appearance which comes at an exorbitant price.
Tiles are cost-effective. Period.
-> WASTAGE - SOMETHING WE WANT TO AVOID, RIGHT?!
The cost of marble further increases as a lot of material goes waste while cutting it into suitable sizes. In marble tiles, wastage is low and as mentioned earlier - it can be recycled - hence it is obviously more affordable than marble.
THE FINAL WORD..
Having natural marble flooring in your home is a high-status symbol and exudes luxury - a temptation one may not be able to resist - BUT little do the homeowners know of the cost difference and maintenance that is needed with a natural stone product. Before you make your final decision, take a look and see if you can even noticeably tell the difference between the two.
Today, all marble tiles and countertop profile manufacturers including VOYATI have become such pros at mimicking natural stone, that you can hardly tell the difference. The market offers some great options in this range - for example, Voyati and its offering of 800x2400mm 15mm slabs are an ideal solution for your modern dream home kitchen countertops, dining table tops, worktops, and other furnishing requirements. Furthermore, they maintain tight cost-control measures throughout all levels of their business and pass the savings to the customers through low prices. Just imagine - the symmetry of marble minus the inconvenience of upkeep and maintenance.. the deal is too good to resist!
Correspondingly, keeping the drawbacks of natural marble in mind, theyhave created a line of tiles mirroring the look of a true natural stone marble that requires significantly less maintenance - THEY LOOK RICH, THEY ARE POCKET-FRIENDLY, AND THEY ARE PRACTICAL AND MAINTENANCE-FREE.
It isn't enough just looking for the quality of the products we buy, we must ensure zero-waste and eco-friendly products to promote sustainability because the fact is that we don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our children.
Pro Tip: If you love the beauty of natural marble but want an easy-to-maintain surface, then go for marble tiles and countertop profiles, which imitate the natural look of marble. Engineered marble is very easy to clean and maintain, and is resistant to stains and scratches.