If you’re looking to equip your home with a beautiful and timeless flooring material, marble and porcelain tile are fantastic options to consider. While each of these materials offers a similarly smooth surface, they present different characteristics. To help you determine which floor tile is best for your property, consider this simple comparison between the two.

Which Material Is Best?

Appearance

This material is known for its distinct natural stone appearance. While the options can vary immensely, marble typically features a mixture of two to three color tones that swirl together to create an impressive vein-like pattern.

Traditionally, porcelain is known for its austere white appearance. However, porcelain tile can come in a variety of stylized looks. For example, some floor tile products may be colored to produce a hardwood appearance.

Durability

When it comes to durability, marble is considerably harder than porcelain. As such, it’s an ideal choice for any area that experiences heavy foot traffic. Porcelain can have various hardness levels; however, most floor tiles are glazed so that they are hard enough to withstand regular foot traffic.

While marble is heavier and harder, it’s more porous than porcelain. For this reason, marble tends to be more susceptible to stains and scratches, and you should also avoid placing it in humid areas, such as bathrooms, as the extra moisture may cause the tiles to warp.

Maintenance

Due to marble’s porous nature, it must be sealed about once every three to six months to prevent permanent staining. When spills occur, it’s important to wipe it immediately and clean with a neutral pH solution. If staining happens, you may need to have the tiles professionally refinished.

Thanks to its dense composition, porcelain is fairly easy to maintain. Unlike marble, it can be cleaned with an acidic vinegar and water solution, followed by a water rinse. While porcelain is water-resistant, the grout underneath the tile is susceptible to moisture problems. To prevent problems, seal the grout as needed.

Cost

In general, marble tends to be more expensive than porcelain tile. However, the exact price will depend on the quality of the material, the manufacturer, and installation needs.

When you’re ready to fine-tune your floors, contact the team at Pacific Tile Imports in Lihue, HI. This floor tile distributor will introduce you to a wide variety of colorful and high-quality tiles, including natural stone, marble, porcelain, and glass. Whether you’re looking to transform a small bathroom or update a large kitchen, their specialists will work with you to ensure you get the best product for a competitive price. To learn more about their products, visit this supplier online, or call (808) 245-1765 to speak with a specialist about your tile design plans.