Marble tiles offer that natural stone aesthetic with pleasing vein patterns, while ceramic tiles can show off a glossy or clay-like surface. When it's time to decorate your kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor areas, which tile is best for your home?
In this article, we'll be tackling the differences between the two types of tile, and figure out which has better, more practical applications in your home over the other. Whether you prefer ceramic tiles or natural stone tiles, it is important to know the difference between the two to help you make your decision.
Cleaning, of course, is an essential aspect to consider for any type of building material, especially ones that will experience usage everyday. Tiles are typically set with grout, and the grout is the first to deteriorate under humid and unclean conditions. Maintaining your grout is maintaining your tiles!
What Are Marble Tiles?
Marble tiles, like granite, are made from natural stone material that is quarried in mineral rich locations around the world. Italy, Spain, and Greece are known for their marble quarries, where natural stones are abundant. Marble, like granite, offers elegant designs perfect for any household, office, or space.
These tiles are best kept with their natural aesthetic without adorning them with fancy grout or glazed designs. The tiles are best viewed as the focal point of the room, offering pleasing veined and swirled designs. These tiles may come in both varnished and unvarnished options for a rustic, matte finish.
Marble tile flooring is a popular design in many homes as the natural stone can be used in high-traffic areas, and is generally durable to wear and tear as long as each tile is well-maintained. Like granite, these tiles are generally more expensive than ceramic tiles.
What Are Ceramic Tiles?
Ceramic tiles are made from a coarse type of clay that is similar to those of porcelain tiles. Ceramic tile can be glazed or unglazed, depending on the style requirements of the home design. Like porcelain, ceramic tiles are fired up to solidify the tiles, but where the latter is fired at high temperatures, ceramic tiles are fired at relatively low temperatures.
These tiles may come in several different colors, as well as shapes, patterns, designs, and textures. The tiles are typically glazed, although unglazed options also exist. Glaze can offer various custom designs based on the homeowner's preference, but these options may be more expensive.
Ceramic tiles are great alternatives to stone tile floors, and can offer a pleasing clay-like matte finish for that rustic aesthetic. While ceramic tiles are not made of stone, they offer a moderate degree of durability, and can look pristine as long as these are maintained well.
The Pros and Cons of Marble Tile and Ceramic Tile
Cleaning: Ceramic
Marble is a natural stone, and as such, is limited to the types of cleaning solutions that can be used on the material. On the other hand, ceramic tiles are durable, and can be cleaned with most commercial and homemade cleaning solutions.
Durability: Marble
However, as long as marble is properly maintained, the stone can easily outlive its cons. Marble tiles have been proven to last for centuries, as the natural stone keeps its color, hardness, and structure for thousands of years with proper upkeep. Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, are easy to shatter, and degrade over time.
Low Maintenance: Ceramic
Ceramic tiles pros include its low maintenance, which is one of the winning factors for ceramic. Marble tiles have many limitations, and are prone to water damage, mold, mildew, and stains. Ceramic tiles, particularly glazed ceramic tiles, pros in being low maintenance compared to other material types for flooring.
Design and Aesthetic: Marble
Despite its cons, marble tiles offer better aesthetics than ceramic tiles, as the natural look is an increasing trend among interior designers. Ceramic tiles fail to mimic the natural aesthetic of marble tiles, as the ceramic tiles are typically glazed with designs instead of setting patterns within the material itself.
Accessibility: Both
Thankfully, both types of tiles can be easily accessible through reputable sources. Natural or heated, these tile materials are popular options in the market, and offer different types of colors, styles, and customizations to both types of tiles.
The Better Choice: Marble and Ceramic?
So, which is the better choice for you? Well, for one, each homeowner has different requirements for their tiles and flooring. You may personally prefer the natural aesthetic of marble tiles, or favor the customization of ceramic tiles for your home.
For instance, a luxury home may prefer using natural stone tile floors instead of ceramic as the latter may cause the home to look cheaper than it actually is. On the other hand, clean-cut, glossy natural stone tiles are not suitable for homes that are going for the more rustic aesthetic, and stone tiles are often more expensive as well.
Check with your design, budget, and overall home aesthetic to see whether you would rather go for clay or natural stone. Consider the usage of these tiles, and whether one or the other is more suitable for the wear and tear of everyday usage in your home, office, or space.
Making the Right Choice
Whichever you prefer, you need to consider how these materials are cleaned. Maintenance is essential for both natural stone tiles and ceramic tiles in order to keep these materials in good condition for long. When in doubt, check out Luce Maintenance Group for all your cleaning needs.
Our experienced group of professional cleaners will get your home spotless in a jiffy! We pride ourselves with the knowledge on proper upkeep of various materials, including natural stone tiles, ceramic, granite, and much more!
Check out our website today for more information on our list of services.
