Marble Tiles vs. Ceramic Tiles: Comparing the Pros & Cons

Marble tiles vs. ceramic tiles will be discussed here. Ceramic and marble tiles are both distinct and popular surfacing materials. Each product is more suitable for certain situations and less so for others. Understanding the differences is important to ensure that you select the right tile for your needs.

Composition

Ceramic tiles are made from clay or silicates which are fired at high temperatures. Marble is a natural stone caused by the metamorphic crystallization of limestone which converts calcium carbonate into calcite crystals.

Classifications

Ceramic tiles come in many forms, such as quarry tiles, terra cotta, porcelain and even glass. Marble is also available in a wide array of colors and shades resulting from the geological process that formed the stone.

Variations

The color and appearance of ceramic tiles is carefully controlled during the manufacturing process resulting in a product with minor variations between lots. Marble, however, is a product of nature. There can be wide differences between different lots of the same stone.

Finish

Ceramic tiles come both glazed and unglazed. They usually have some type of pattern screen printed on their face to mimic the look of natural stone. Marble typically comes in a polished finish, honed or tumbled.

Misconceptions

Vinyl tiles and cultured marble are not types of ceramic tiles because they are not fired clay or silicate products. Similarly, granite, slate, limestone, onyx, serpentine and schist are not marbles. These distinctions are important because these products must all be cared for in different ways.

Marble Tiles vs. Ceramic Tiles: Comparing the Pros & Cons

With today’s infinite stone look-alike products and the overwhelming amount of information on the web, it’s easy to become confused when trying to compare marble tiles and ceramic tiles. Natural stones such as marble, granite and slate range in availability (and price) as they are quarried in various locations around the world and imported to the U.S. Ceramic tiles are composed of clay and inorganic materials that are oven dried and glazed. So when is best to spring for the real thing or settle for ceramic? Let’s take a look at the facts.