Porcelain tiles are affordable, easy to maintain, durable, and suitable for outdoor use. Because marble is a natural, porous stone, marble tiles are better suited for interior use. When used as flooring, marble tiles should be kept in areas with low- to moderate- traffic. Marble tiles are quite expensive and must be maintained more carefully. Marble Tiles versus Porcelain Tiles comparison chart Marble TilesPorcelain TilesColor Runs through the whole tile, from top to bottom Runs through the whole tile * (through body or full body porcelain tile only) Uses Walls (interior), moderate traffic floors. Floors and exterior walls. Cost Low starting price, but custom orders can get expensive Ease for DIYers May require an expert to cut May require an expert to cut Maintenance Requires frequent dust and damp mops. Can be easily cleaned with a mop or a sponge. Contents: Marble Tiles vs Porcelain Tiles Properties of Marble vs. Porcelain Surfaces
Marble tiles have the advantage of looking natural and unique — usually gray- or cream-colored with darker veins running through them. No two tiles are exactly alike. To make tiles, marble stone is sized and cut, then polished and finished on one side to create a uniform surface and thickness. Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile made with a refined clay — usually red or white clay. This special process makes porcelain tiles less absorbent, thicker, and more durable, and thus suitable as flooring. Compared to marble tiles, porcelain tiles are less likely to stain. However, they should be bought carefully, as thinner porcelain tiles may be brittle and prone to chipping during installation or when dropping something hard on them. With proper care, both marble and porcelain tiles can last for a long time. As a natural stone, marble has a high aesthetic value and adds both elegance and value to a home. However, care for marble tiles can be time-consuming and costly.
Like granite, marble is porous and requires regular (twice-yearly) applications of sealants to remain resistant to stains and dulling. Its absorbent nature means it is not appropriate for exterior walls or in landscaping. These porcelain tiles from Heritage Tiles have been made to look like marble. Porcelain tiles are less absorbent, so they are resistant to frost and much less likely to stain, especially if they are glazed. They are also more durable than traditional ceramic tiles and marble and can withstand moisture and harsher weather conditions. Caring for porcelain tiles is easy, as few cleaning solutions will harm them. Their hardness, however, can make them brittle, meaning installation must be carried out with great care. For those who desire the durability of porcelain tiles, but the aesthetics of marble, there are now porcelain tiles that are made to look like marble. Marble tiles can be used on walls, but they are more popular for indoor flooring, backsplashes, sinks, kitchen islands, and countertops.
While they are mostly used as indoor tiles, marble has been used outside in moderate- to low-traffic areas shielded from rain and freezing cold weather. Porcelain tiles are hard and are used for flooring as well as interior and exterior walls, as they can survive cold and moisture. Because some porcelain tiles can be quite brittle, they may typically require a professional to cut and install them. Calcutta marble tiles in a bathroom. Notice how no two tiles have the same patterns. Marble floors should be installed by an expert. They should be sealed during installation and resealed once or, preferably, twice a year. Marble floors have to be constantly dusted and mopped to keep them from staining and absorbing water or other liquids. By comparison, porcelain tiles do not require as much maintenance. They are best cut and installed by a professional, but upkeep is easy, and they are much less likely to stain than marble. Cost of Marble and Porcelain Tiles Generally, porcelain tiles cost $4 to $10 per square foot.
However, the cost of porcelain tile varies according to its class rating — i.e., whether it is durable enough for wall use, indoor or outdoor use, countertop use, low-traffic floors, or high-traffic floors. There are five classes of porcelain tile, as standardized by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI), with PEI Class 0 being the most delicate and recommended only for wall use and Class 5 being the most durable. Only thicker, more expensive classes of porcelain tiles are recommended for high-traffic or commercial purposes. Porcelain tiles are much cheaper than marble tiles, which often have to be custom ordered. Marble tiles typically cost $40 to $150 cost per square foot. Both types of tiles should be installed by a professional. Installation costs vary by region. Marble Tile Guide - Home Depot Porcelain Tile Guide - Home Depot Ceramic Tiles Porcelain Tiles Hardwood Floor Vinyl Floor If you read this far, you should follow us: "Marble Tiles vs Porcelain Tiles."
. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. Coordinate floor tiles with countertops for a well-designed kitchen. Floor color, countertops and cabinetry are three major components of the color scheme in your kitchen. But if you are starting from scratch with a near-vacant kitchen, a world of color choices is open to you. The most important thing to remember is to keep the color scheme simple and add highlight colors through the smaller items and accessories. This allows you to change your theme over time without incurring the high cost of replacing a major component. Have an idea of your preferred color scheme, using two dominant colors and a third accent color. Refer to a color chart or paint chips for ideas. Paint existing kitchen cabinetry to coordinate with your countertop and flooring selections. Choose your kitchen countertop first, whether it is marble, granite, tile, Silestone or another engineered product: This is probably the most expensive investment. Take a sample of your choice with you when shopping for flooring.
Coordinate the finishes of your countertops with the floor, whether they are matt or glossy, textured or flat. Coordinate the floor color with the countertop and use the cabinetry that separates the two as your secondary color; or match the countertop and the cabinetry and select a flooring tile that adds contrast. Examine your countertop selection for variations in the color, especially if you’ve chosen marble or granite. Open up your flooring choices by using granite that is predominantly brown but has elements of beige and rust, and select a beige or rust floor tile. Blend a blue marble countertop that has ribbons of gold and cream with a gold-tone or cream flooring tile. Match either the dominant countertop color or one of its secondary colors with a floor tile that is similar in hue. Use black galaxy granite containing speckles of bronze against a porcelain tile floor with a muted orange base that accents the bronze. Install a ubatuba black granite countertop over white cabinetry and finish the look with white porcelain tiles, preferably with a pattern to prevent slipping.