Both marble flooring and ceramic tiles are widely used at home in the United States for the past few years. But the most important question: which one is better for you? Which flooring will be best suited for you in terms of its looks, prices, and maintenance and Why?
In this article, I will provide you with the key differences between marble flooring and ceramic tiles. After reading the article, it will be clear for you to pick the right flooring for your house. In order to distinguish between the two, we need to first go through all the basic criteria.
Which one is the right pick for you? Do not get confused. I am here to provide you all the answers to help you pick the right flooring. I will discuss all the major points of the two products so that it is convenient for you to differentiate and make your decision.
Marble Flooring Vs Ceramic Tile: A Head To Head Comparison
For your ease and better understanding, the key differences between marble flooring and ceramic tiles are presented below in a table format:
| Marble Flooring | Ceramic Tile |
| It is processed from metamorphic rock and it is natural | Manufactured by humans with a mixture of several ingredients including clay, sand, etc. |
| Expensive Material (Niche Product) | Affordable and are widely used |
| Water Absorbent and penetrable, reacts easily to germs and stains but is resistant to heat | Resistant to water, heat, and stains |
| High Porosity | Low Porosity |
| Not feasible and suited for all weathers, especially winter | Weather friendly and appropriate for all climates. |
| The installation process is long and time-consuming | Easy to install and can be used immediately. |
| Lasts for a long time | Low- Lifespan |
| More Wastage | Less Wastage |
| High Resale Value | No Sale Value |
| Color Fades and turns yellow after years of use | Color does not fade easily |
| Non-renewable resource and not eco-friendly | Eco-friendly materials and non-toxic |
| Used only In-doors to decorate the interior of the house | Used in both indoor areas and outdoor areas |
Before deciding on the type of material you want, go through this table for a quick summary.
Marble Flooring Vs Ceramic Tile: Everything You Need To Know
Before you decide to choose the right flooring materials, it is essential for us to rely on some key factors. The basic factors are:
1. Basic Characteristics:
You must know all the basic features of both marble and ceramic flooring before finally making the choice and which one is feasible for you.
Basic Characteristics Of Marble Flooring:
- Marbles are usually made of metamorphic rock. It is formed by keeping the marble under the ground for a long period of time. A lot of heat and pressure is needed for the rocks to melt into a finished marble.
- The main component of marble is calcium carbonate and this natural stone is heat resistant as well as water and rain. There are different types of marbles but the most gorgeous one is the white marble. It has a unique appearance and the natural stone is very appealing to floor coverings.
- Marble floors are mostly used in indoor spaces like bedrooms, washrooms, flooring of the house, in kitchens as well. Some posh people also use marble flooring to decorate the look of their stairs. Due to the marble’s heat resistance, it can also be used in the front of the house for an outstanding look.
- Most of the holy places like churches, temples, and mosques flooring are made of marbles giving the place a peaceful and ravishing look. Marble floorings have been the symbol of splendor and magnificence for a long period of time. Marbles are also used by many famous people for creating sculptures and other art forms.
Basic Characteristics Of Ceramic Tiles:
- Ceramic tiles are processed and manufactured by humans. It is composed of a mixture of quartz, clay, silica and baked at a very high temperature and constructs a glazed substrate. The components give the tiles a unique texture.
- Ceramic tiles have a very unique feature like the material is slip-resistant, and since the tiles are processed at a very high temperature it is also fire resistant. The ceramic tile floors will not be exposed to fire easily. Most people recommend ceramic tile floors to be placed in the kitchen.
- The main strength of ceramic tiles is their resistance to water, stains, and other chemical substances. The floors do not easily get greased with dirt. Usual liquid cleaners are enough to remove the dust particles from ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are mostly preferred and placed in high congestion places.
- Ceramic Tiles are widely used in the house, office spaces, and spaces for giving an outstanding look. One of the unique characteristics of ceramic tile is it can be customized with digital printing and people can apply their choices of style.
2. Types And Categories:
In order to choose between marble flooring and ceramic tiles, you need to know the types and categories that are available in the market.
Marble Flooring Types And Categories:
There are different types and categories of marble flooring that are available in the market. Marble flooring usually comes in 3 types.
- Blocks
- Slab
- Tiles
All of the marble flooring types are available in different colors like brown, green, black, white, yellow, etc.
There are different categories of finishes that you can choose from for your flooring. Here are a few types of finishes:
- Polished Finish;
- Brush Finish;
- Antique Finish;
- Flamed Finish;
- Hammered Finish.
Ceramic Tile Types And Categories:
There are different types of ceramic tiles in terms of colors, designs, quality, and appearances which give a very artistic and aesthetic look. Ceramic tiles are basically of 2 types:
- Glazed
- Unglazed
- Porcelain
Ceramic tiles also have few different categories of finishes. Ceramic tiles can be copied and make look like wood and marble. Few ceramic tile finishes are as follows:
- Vitrified
- Semi-Vitrified
- Glossy
- Anti-skid
- Granular
3. Marble Flooring Vs Ceramic Tile Comparison Of Prices:
The price of both ceramic tiles and marble floor depends on the grades, sizes, finishes and its thickness. Here is a table providing a price comparison of both marble flooring and ceramic tiles per square foot:
| Materials | Price /Square Foot | Price /250 Square Feet | Price /2000 Square Feet | Resale Value |
| Marble Floors | $10-$40 | $2000-$6000 | $20,000-$60,000 | High(If Properly Maintained) |
| Ceramic Floors | $1-$25 | $1500-$5000 | $10,000-40,000 | No Impact |
The price of both ceramic tiles and marble floors may vary and fluctuate from time to time. Marble floors are expensive and you will need a good budget to install marble floors to cover your entire house. If you have a good budget, there is no better choice than marble flooring which will give your house an exotic look.
On the other hand, ceramic tile floors are affordable compared to marble flooring. There is a high demand for ceramic tile floors in the USA, not just because of its affordable pricing but because of its other dynamic features.
4. Maintaining The Floors:
The two materials are very different in nature and it is not the same procedure when it comes to maintaining them. Let us find out the proper ways to maintain marble floors and ceramic floors.
Maintaining The Floors Of Marble:
Due to its absorbent and porous nature, marble floors react very quickly to any substances which lead to stains. Some of the other components like citric acid, vinegars, ketchup respond easily with marble floors causing stains and marks.
In order to clean the stains, it is highly recommended that you should clean the marked spot as soon as possible to prevent any long-lasting marks on your marble floor.
You can clean your marble floors with liquid cleaners and water, detergents, and other DIY cleaners.
But since it is very sensitive, make sure to not use any lemon water or soda water to clean your marble floors. You can also use a marble sealer to maintain your floors.
If you are planning to clean your marble flooring with a vacuum cleaner, make sure it does not leave a scratch as the material is very sensitive. Also for long-lasting use of your marble flooring, reseal the floor after 8 months to 1 year with a marble sealer.
Maintaining The Ceramic Floors:
It is very easy to maintain a ceramic floor and normal household cleaners and liquids can be used to wipe the floors. You can also clean the ceramic floors with vacuum cleaners and other DIY cleaners. The ceramic floors are resistant to dirt, water, heat, and the color of the tiles is not so affected after years of cleaning.
Regular mopping with soap and water is also good enough to maintain the ceramic floors. In other words, maintaining the ceramic floors is trouble-free and unchallenging compared to marble floors.
5. Installation Procedure:
The installation procedure of marble flooring is a bit difficult compared to the installation procedure of ceramic tiles. Here is a detailed explanation.
Installation Procedure Of Marble Flooring:
The installation procedure of marble flooring is a bit complicated and requires an expert’s help. The marble floors are usually very fragile and heavy at the same time. It is highly recommended to hire a professional service to complete the procedure.
The average labor cost of installing marble floors ranges from$150- $500 depending on the space that needs to be covered. The marble floors should be placed and seeded in a very careful manner. Because the marble floors are very tough to match and should be placed side by side before finally installing them.
Marble floors are very heavy and are usually not available in a ready-made condition, and need to be ordered beforehand. The size of the floors should be mentioned properly so that the stones are cut accordingly into a finished marble product for perfect fitting.
The whole installation process is very time-consuming, and the manufacturer needs to polish, grind the marbles accurately before delivering them. It takes almost 7 to days to complete the entire installation.
Installation Procedure Of Ceramic Tile:
Ceramic floors are very easy to install and less time-consuming. If you have experience with DIY things, with proper instruction and guidelines, you can install ceramic floors as well. But to cover a large space an expert’s help or professional service is recommended.
After the installation process is complete, it can be used immediately after a few hours. Ceramic floors are available in the shops, and you can start fitting them right after it is delivered to your doorstep. It takes around 2 to 4 days to complete the entire setup.
You can also manually size and incise the ceramic tiles according to the shape it is required to fit. One important reminder and the tip is to order extra piles of ceramic tiles. Because during installation, if any portion of the tile breaks or gets cracked, it is hard to find the same replacement of the tiles.
6. Longevity and Durability:
Before choosing the types of flooring for your house, you need to make sure how long it will last and whether it is durable or not.
Longevity And Durability Of Marble Flooring:
Marble floors are very heavy materials and due to their thickness, it usually lasts for a long period of time. If the marble floors are properly maintained regularly, they will last for 25 years or more.
Marble floors are not a good consideration or option for high congestion places. Because of the materials sensitivity and absorbents of water and heat, it is recommended that you should not use marble in outside areas like roofs where the floor can be exposed to the sun.
Kitchen countertops are also not a safe place to install marbles as the water will wear out the shine and glaze of the marbles. It is also very slippery and experts recommend not installing them on the washroom floors.
7. Longevity And Durability Of Ceramic Tile:
On the other hand, ceramic tiles are very user-friendly due to their resistance to heat, water, stains, etc. The average lifespan of a ceramic tile is 10 years, and if the ceramic floors are cleaned and maintained properly, it can last up to 20 years as well.
The material can be placed in outside areas as well as inside the house. It has a growing demand in the United States because of its multi-resistance. You can fit ceramic tiles in the high congestion areas without the fear of getting your surface damaged. The material is also slip-resistant, and can easily be fitted in your washroom, and still last for a long time as it does not absorb water.
Some Frequently Asked Questions On Marble Flooring VS Ceramic Tile:
Which Is Easy To Clean Marble Flooring Or Ceramic Tile?
Since the marble floor is absorbent to water, it is recommended that you should use a minimum amount of water and mix it with detergents to gently wipe the floor with a mop. After mopping, dry the place immediately after 5 to 10 minutes. Use mild hot water to scrub the floor with liquid detergents that are compatible with the material.
Ceramic floors are used mostly in high congestion areas and are prone to stains, water, heat, etc. Although as the years go by and due to many reasons your floor may be affected with scratches. The best remedy is to clean the floor with baking soda and warm water. Gently wipe the floor with a wet towel, and dry it off after a few minutes to remove the scratches.
Is Marble More Expensive Than Ceramic Tiles?
Yes, Marble flooring is more expensive than ceramic tiles. I have already provided a table and discussed the price according to the square foot of the house. Marbles are cut from stones and the entire extraction procedure is very costly which makes marble floor an expensive one.
Is Marble Heavier Than Ceramic Tile?
Marble floors are heavier than ceramic tiles because marbles are cut from heavy stones. Ceramic tiles are processed and manufactured by humans with a mixture of clay and are comparatively much lighter than marbles.
In order to install marble stones for flooring, a lot of technique and manpower are required for a smooth fitting.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Marble And Tile?
An easy way to distinguish between the marble and tiles is: ceramics will shine and glaze and marble floorings are absorbent and porous material. Marble floorings are much heavier compared to ceramic tiles.
Real marble can be easily recognized due to its glossiness, and the coloration of the material. I have already provided a table where you can easily compare the difference between marble and ceramic tiles.
Which Is Better For Flooring Marble Or Tiles?
There is no definite answer for this, and it totally depends on the choice and budget of an individual. Marble tiles are very expensive and the materials are hard to maintain. It is definitely worth fitting in the house as marble flooring has an elegant look and will increase the value of the house.
For decorating the house, white marbles are the best choice. On the other hand, ceramic tiles are resistant to water, heat, and stains.
Ceramic tiles demand is increasing in the United States and most people choose ceramic tiles for both interior and exterior places. For a posh decoration, there is no better choice than marble flooring, and for versatility for both indoor and outdoor fittings, ceramic floors are a good choice.
You may also want to read:
Marble Flooring Alternatives That You Must Explore
Marble Flooring Ideas For Living Room: Decorate Floor In New Style
Marble Flooring Vs Granite Flooring: Which One Should You Choose?
Final Verdict:
Choosing the right material for your flooring entirely depends on your budget. Marble flooring gives the space an elegant and posh look and ceramic tiles’ strength is its resistance and price affordability.
Hope the above information will help to figure out the type of flooring you want for your space. In short, for an exotic look, there is no better choice than marbles and for cost-effective options ceramic tiles are the best. For any other queries feel free to knock me.
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