Tiles vs. Marble

Main Difference

The main difference between tile and marble is that a tile is a piece of baked clay or plastic material used to cover roofs, walls, or floors. Used for covering floors and marble is a hard and highly polished stone that is used for sculpture and as a building material.

Difference Between Tiles and Marble

Comparison Chart

Tiles vs. Marble

Tile is a thin slab or bent piece of painted or gazed baked clay used to form one of the units of a roof covering floor, or revetment. Marble is a metamorphic rock that is about or characterized by change of form. The word ‘Tile’ derives from the French word ‘tuile’ meaning a fired clay. Tiles are made from silicates or clay which are fired at high temperatures. Marble is the natural stone formed by the metamorphic crystallization of limestone which converts calcium carbonate into calcite crystals. All the tiles were the same in the older times, but now with the new technology and machines, tiles look perfect with the finalized finishing and good hardness. Marble is composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals. One problem of the marble stone is that it is a porous stone so it can stain. Tiles are so hard but are broken easily. An expert is required to cut them. Marble is a very fine natural stone that is cut and polished in a factory. Tiles are particularly used for covering roofs, floors, walls or other subjects such as the kitchen shelves or top of a table. Marble flooring is a high-class flooring commonly used in places of worship like temples, churches, mosques, etc., and in public buildings having rich specifications. Tiles are available in many forms, such as terra cotta, quarry tiles, porcelain, and even glass. Marble also comes in a wide array of shades and colors resulting from the geological process that formed the stone.

What is the Tile?

A tile is the precast units of cement, pottery, concrete or terrazzo. It is manufactured in various thickness and shapes like polygonal, square, etc. Tiles come in both glazed and unglazed form. They usually have some pattern printed on their surface to mimic the look of natural stone. The color and appearance of tiles are carefully controlled during the manufacturing process resulting in a large variety of the product. Tiles are more suitable for harsh applications, such as flooring. They are not porous hence, likely to absorb moisture and do not give stains. Tiles always play an important role in interior decoration. Ceramic tiles are preferable nowadays, for household’s décor, as it is most effective and gives a beautiful effect to the room. Tiles all vary in type and cost. It is a little tricky to choose the right tile for the right place, from thousands of colors and designs. Some of the varieties of tiles are ceramic tiles, metal tiles, mosaic tiles, vitrified tiles, digital tiles, stone tiles, and solar tiles. Tiles are relatively easy to clean and maintain. Regular wiping and dusting are enough to keep your tiles gleaming.

Features of the Tile Flooring

• do not require any polishing
• non-absorbent.
• very much durable, extremely tough and difficult to crack
• comes in a variety of options
• pleasant appearance
• easy and quick to install
• requires less and easy maintenance
• easily repairable
• costly in rate and maintenance
• very Slippery when wet

What is Marble?

Marble is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock that is about or characterized by the change of form. Marble flooring is very high class and commonly used in places of worship like temples, churches, mosques, etc. The size of marble slabs in flooring depends upon the pattern to be adopted. The normal slabs of marble are square or rectangular, and their thickness varies from 20 mm to 40 mm. Marble is porous, and it absorbs water and stains easily. Marble is generally not suitable for outdoor spaces as weathering and pollutants tend to wear out the surface. Marble flooring is the best choice for indoor areas like halls, foyers, and bedrooms. Polished marble surfaces tend to be slippery when used in bathrooms. Marble flooring is typically the symbol of luxury and opulence. The gleam of polished stone and its beautiful natural look adds to the aesthetic appeal. Marble is a product of nature, so there can be wide differences between different lots of the same stone. It is so heavy, so large labor is required to load and fix it. The different types of marble are Carrara marble, Murphy marble, yule marble, Vermont, Etowah marble, creole marble, Connemara marble, Purbeck marble.

Features of the Marble Flooring

• very durable and can last for ages
• heavy stone and can take heavy loads on it
• very smooth finish with a luminous shine
• scratch resistant as well as fire-resistant
• easy to clean
• eco-friendly.
• Installation and replacement process is difficult
• requires a high degree of maintenance
• very slippery when wet

Conclusion

Marble and tiles are used mainly in flooring and decoration of the house, including walls, slabs, and shelves. Marble is a naturally occurring material, whereas tile is self-made. Both have distinct qualities, advantages, and disadvantages.