Marble Vs Tiles

Are you also looking for the perfect flooring material for your residential space but end up getting stuck in the age-old debate between Marble and Tiles? Well, let me tell you that there does not exist a perfect choice because they both have their own pros and cons. We must realize that a number of factors have to be taken into consideration when making a choice between the two.

Tile, as a man-made flooring material, is basically made up of ceramics, stones, glass, baked clay and various other composite materials. It is used for flooring as much as it is used to cover walls and rooftops. On the other hand, marble is a natural stone which comes into existence when limestone undergoes the process of metamorphism. Marble is commonly used in flooring and vanity countertops.

As far as the comparison between the two is concerned, tiles are more budget friendly in comparison to marble. Not only do tiles require low maintenance but also lesser time for installation. They come in various sizes, for example- 4ftX2ft, 5ftX2^1/2ft, 6ftX4ft, 8ftX4ft, 2ftX2ft, etc. It is important to note that installation, handling and maintenance costs increase with the increase in the size of tiles. They come in both matt and gloss finish wherein the former is more difficult to clean than the latter. Butter and satin finish tiles have also been launched which are basically an attempt to offer a similar look as marble. Owing to their low porosity, tiles are more water resistant which is why they are preferred in areas like bathrooms, powder rooms, rooftops and terrace.

If we take a look at marble, especially Italian marble, it is quite expensive both in terms of purchase price and maintenance costs. Also, it requires more time for installation because it undergoes polishing. Unlike tiles, marble does not really come in specific sizes but in slabs that can be easily cut into any size depending on the overall plan and size of the space. It is true that marble has a higher posterity but being a natural stone, it is certainly associated with the quality of being timeless and lustrous. It is not just known for its opulence but also durability, if maintained properly and heat conduction feature. Generally, the thickness of marble ranges from 16 mm to 25 mm but the optimum size for the purpose of flooring is considered to be 18mm. Italian marble comes in different price ranges starting from Rs. 250 to 450 per square feet (Burberry Beige, Botticino Classico, Perlato Beige) with a mid-range from Rs. 300 to 500 per square feet (Burberry Grey, Oracle Grey) and can go up to Rs. 1600 to 4000 per square feet (Statuario Calacatta, Michael Angelo).

If you are working on a tight budget, and cannot devote enough time, then you can opt for tiles. In case, budget and time are not an issue and you want your interiors to exude natural elegance thereby adding a character to the overall design, then marble should be your only flooring choice.