Marble and quartz both have been popular flooring options for ages. Though they are ancient flooring choices, their grace and glamour have never faded away. As both are gorgeous, they are still profoundly found and admired. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they are also of high durability and longevity.
However, when it comes to choosing one between marble vs quartz, people get confused. Though they are different in appearance and quality, selecting the suitable one for a purpose can be challenging. The only way out is to learn about their features and properties and then select the right one.
On behalf of you, I have researched and scrutinized the properties and differences of marble and quartz flooring. In this article, you will get to know A to Z about marble and quartz flooring. This will help you make an informed decision about which one to pick.
Get excited!
Marble Vs Quartz Flooring: A Quick Comparison Table
Here is the quick comparison table between marble and quartz flooring:
| Marble Flooring | Quartz Flooring |
| Calcite | Silica |
| Less durable | Durable |
| Plain slab with veins, patches, and mere patterns | Slab with grains and solid design |
| Easy installation | Difficult to install |
| Less heat resistance | More heat resistance |
| No radon emission | Minimal radon emission |
| High maintenance | Less maintenance |
| Expensive | Less expensive |
| Not environment-friendly | Environment-friendly |
Differences Between Marble And Quartz Flooring: In-depth Discussion
There are considerable differences between marble and quartz flooring. Knowing the differences will help you decide which one is suitable for you. The difference in properties makes each one compatible for each purpose. Therefore, understanding the difference between marble and quartz will help you decide wisely.
Here are the main differences between marble and quartz flooring:
- Material:
The primary difference is marble and quartz are in the material. Marble is a natural stone that is made in the earth’s core. Limestone goes through crystallization and due to high heat and pressure, marble is made.
On the other hand, quartz slabs are man-made and extracted from sandstone. They are found in the form of crystal which is extracted and combined to make a slab of quartz. While marble is made of calcite, quartz is made of silicon and oxygen.
So, the very basic difference is that marble and quartz are not different forms of the same material. The core materials of these stones are completely different. Besides, marble is natural but quartz tiles are man-made.
- Durability:
Marble is a soft natural stone. It has high porosity that makes dust, moisture, and pollution settle in. High porosity makes marble less durable than quartz as it wears and tears easily. The capability to withstand pressure and impact is less as the porosity makes the marble weaker over time.
Due to the porosity, marble also gets stained easily. If you miss out on cleaning it immediately, solid and liquid spills can leave stubborn marks and stains. This is a reason why marble floors are sealed to block the pores. However, the sealing has to be done regularly to minimize the pores.
On the other hand, quartz is not porous. Due to this property, stains are not stubborn on it. You can simply clean it out to remove the spills and prevent staining. Therefore, quartz is more durable and stain-resistant than marble.
- Appearance:
Marble is stunningly beautiful and unique in appearance. It has a glossy texture with thin and thick veins on them. Marble is available in a few color shades like white, black, grey, yellow, red, pink, and green. You will get variations in marble color and patterns. It has veins, and sometimes colored patches and chips. Mosaic-like patterns are also available in marble.
On the other hand, quartz has a solid surface with uniform colors. As it is man-made, it is available in different colors. Quartz slabs can be grainy or solid-colored. It is simple in appearance. Also, it can even resemble the look of marble. It is often mixed with resin and polymer to add variation in look.
If you want elegant and gorgeous flooring, marble is your option. Though it becomes yellow over time, its beauty is unbeatable. On the other hand, quartz has excellent variation and its grace only fades away in the sunlight. Otherwise, quartz is also aesthetically pleasing.
- Installation:
Installation of quartz and marble is not easy. Both are heavyweight and installing them on the floor requires expertise. Also, cutting and shaping both can be difficult.
The main difficulty is to blur the seam between marble slabs. Erasing seams between quartz slabs is easier as the design and color are consistent. But as patterns of marble slabs are varied, erasing the seam becomes challenging.
Quartz is heavier than marble. Carrying and installing them, therefore, requires more care and expertise than installing marble slabs. Installing quartz slabs should be done carefully and tactfully to avoid damages during installation.
- Heat Resistance:
Heat resistance is an important quality that is required when you consider installing marble or quartz in the kitchen or heat exposed areas. Quartz has better heat resistance than marble. Marble is heat resistant too but less than quartz.
Marble should not be exposed directly to heat. If you place a hot pan on marble, it may crack or get marks on it. But it won’t impact a quartz surface much. This is because of the better heat resistance of quartz than marble.
In terms of heat resistance, quartz is the better one.
- Radon:
Radon is an odorless gas that is harmful to your respiratory system. It is released from all-natural and engineered stones like quartz and marble. Radon is released when radioactive elements start decaying. However, the intensity of radon emission varies between marble and quartz.
Research shows that engineered stones release only a minimal amount of radon while natural stones like marble release almost no radon. This means marble is less harmful than quartz.
- Maintenance:
Marble flooring is sensitive to impacts, stains, heat, and moisture. Thus if you want to install marble on the floor, you have to maintain it properly. Marble requires high and regular maintenance to keep up the grace, color, and gloss. Not only that. Marble requires sealing from time to time to minimize the pores in marble surfaces.
On the other hand, regular cleaning would suffice in the case of quartz. Quartz requires minimal maintenance to keep it in good condition. As quartz is durable and non-porous, it doesn’t get dirty or break easily even if you use it casually. Just keep the quartz flooring clean to get long-lasting benefits.
In simple words, marble requires high maintenance while minimal maintenance of quartz would suffice.
- Price Range:
Marble is a natural stone that has to be extracted from the earth’s core. It can’t be recycled or reused once disposed of. Also, it requires a lot of energy to extract the marble, polish it, and make it ready for use. This makes it a pricey natural stone.
On the other hand, quartz is man-made and there are a lot of variations. It can be recycled too for reusing. The percentage of natural quartz determines the price but it is still less expensive than marble.
However, when it comes to the installation cost, marble is cheaper to install. Quartz is a heavy and dense material that is difficult to install. So installing quartz is more expensive.
- Environment-friendly:
Marble is not energy efficient or environmentally friendly. It requires a lot of irreversible energy to mine marble. Once it wears out, it can’t be recycled for reuse.
On the other hand, quartz is energy-efficient to extract. After it wears out, quartz can be separated from the combination of polymer and resin. The separated quartz can be bonded again with fresh polymer and resin. This means it can be reused.
Therefore, quartz is environment friendly but marble isn’t.
3 Questions To Ask Before Deciding Between Marble And Quartz:
Marble and quartz both are highly preferred by people. Both are aesthetically pleasing and widely used in residential and commercial spaces. But when it comes to choosing one out of them, it can be a bit confusing for you. And to decide wisely, you should ask yourself a few questions. Answering these questions will help you know which one is the right choice for your home or office or other spaces.
Here are the three questions to ask before choosing an option between marble and quartz:
1. Where Are You Installing It?
If you are choosing an option for high traffic and impact areas, quartz is the right option. For kitchen countertop, fireplaces, indoor flooring, as well as the bathroom, quartz is a better option than marble. As it is impact-resistant as well as stain proof and scratch-resistant, it is the best option for most indoor spaces.
However, if you want unique and stunning room flooring, you may go for marble. Choose engineered marble with a suitable shade and pattern to match the interior. Engineered marble is more durable than natural marble. However, they are not the best for high-traffic areas. Using natural marble would be suitable only if you maintain it properly.
However, if you want something for outdoor purposes, you have to choose marble over quartz. Marble can sustain in sunlight but quartz fades away due to UV rays. This is why marble is a better option than quartz in outdoor areas. But in my opinion, neither marble nor quartz is good for outdoor uses.
But for most indoor purposes, quartz is a better option.
2. What Look Do You Like?
You can decide on an option based on the appearance of quartz and marble. If you like a consistent yet modern pattern option, quartz is the right option for you. But if you love versatile and randomly patterned flooring, marble is the best one.
Marble’s look is indeed extremely beautiful and graceful. It has a natural aesthetic value that will leave you in awe. But another factor is that quartz can be polished and engineered to resemble the look of marble. So, if you want a durable option with the look of marble, you can choose an engineered quartz flooring. However, it may not exactly match marble’s glamor.
Decide a look you want. Then think of which material will suit the look the most and match your interior.
3. What Is Your Budget?
When it comes to choosing an affordable option, quartz is the suitable option for you. Though engineered marble is cheaper than high-quality quartz, it may not be the best in terms of look and properties.
Most people choose engineered marble for renovation purposes as it is cheap and affordable. But if you are installing on a new surface, I would suggest using quartz. It is more durable and long-lasting. If you invest in quartz, it will give you long-term benefits and you won’t need to invest more money on renovation or repairing. On the other hand, marble can be expensive and its maintenance would cost even more.
From all aspects, quartz is a smarter investment than marble. It is a one-time investment that gives you long-term benefits. But installing marble would require time to time investment on sealing, polishing, cleaning, etc.
Related Questions On Marble vs Quartz Flooring:
Why Is Marble Expensive Than Quartz?
Marble extraction is a lengthy process as well as requires a lot of irreversible energy. Marble is a natural stone that is only found in the earth’s core and can’t be made or crafted manually. Thus the only source from which you get marble is the earth’s core. It is naturally found and no one can make it artificially. This makes the price high for marble.
Moreover, marble can’t be recycled. Once it wears out, it can’t be recycled or reused. This is why marble is expensive. In contrast, quartz is formed by the combination of quartz and resin and polymer. As it is man-made, it is less expensive. Also, once quartz is disposed of, quartz can be separated and mixed with resin and polymer. As you can reuse it, it saves energy making it cheaper.
These are the reasons why marble is more expensive than quartz.
Is Marble Flooring Better Than Quartz On Roof?
Though neither marble nor quartz is suitable for roof flooring, marble is indeed a better option than quartz. Marble and quartz both are well-known for their heat resistance. But for roof flooring, marble should be chosen.
Marble is not only heat-resistant but can survive under the scorching sun. It won’t fade away or discolor when the temperature is high. On the other hand, quartz flooring discolors and fades away in the sunlight. If exposed to sunlight, quartz becomes discolored and yellowish due to UV rays.
Therefore, if you need one option between marble and quartz, marble is the right option.
Is Quartz Heavier Than Marble?
Quartz is more durable and dense than marble. This makes quartz heavier than marble. Quartz has excellent density. It is non-porous and compact while marble is porous and a soft stone.
Quartz is more sturdy and as engineered, it is made stronger and compact. The density makes quartz stronger, solid as well as heavy.
Therefore, due to the high density and compactness of quartz, it is heavy. As marble isn’t as compact as quartz, it is lighter.
Is Quartz Better Than Marble For Kitchen Countertops?
Marble is generally preferred for kitchen countertops. It is known as a heat-resistant material that can withstand heat. If sealed properly, it can sustain moisture too.
But quartz outweighs marble when it comes to using the countertop casually without much care. Quartz is durable and even if you keep a heated pan on it, it won’t leave any mark or crack it. But marble may crack easily if directly exposed to a hot pan.
Therefore, quartz is a better option for kitchen countertops than marble. You can casually use a quartz countertop but you have to maintain a marble countertop more carefully.
Which Performs Better: Quartz Or Marble?
It is hard to state that one option is better than the other. Both have their perks and demerits. But overall, quartz is a better option than marble. Despite outdoor uses, quartz is more suitable than marble.
Quartz performs the best indoors. It is durable and non-porous which is why it lasts for a long time. It is stain proof and scratch-resistant. Quartz is the best for high-impact areas as it is capable of withstanding pressure and high traffic. It performs excellently in any indoor area starting from the bathroom to the living room. But if you want something for outdoor flooring, then you may need to choose marble though it is not the best option.
Overall, the performance of quartz is better than marble and it will give you long-lasting benefits and service. Also, it is cost-efficient as the maintenance cost is low.
Conclusion:
All in all, choose the option that suits the purpose. Marble and quartz both are excellent flooring options. Just choose according to the space, budget, and look you like.
Scrutinizing all the factors, which one do you like the most? Quartz or marble?
You may also want to read:
Marble Flooring Vs Granite Flooring
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