What is the difference between granite and marble: characteristics, scope

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Natural stone has been used since ancient times for the construction of buildings and monuments, and varieties such as marble and granite are of the highest value. Both types of stone have a noble appearance, are distinguished by reliability and practicality. They are resistant to mechanical stress and are easily cleaned of dirt, so they are practically indispensable in the design of facades. However, each of them has its own unique features, therefore, choosing the most suitable option, you should first find out how granite differs from marble.

Granite characteristics

Granite is a material formed during the slow cooling of magma or as a result of the petrification of some terrestrial rocks. The composition of granite includes mica - a transparent layered material, feldspar, and quartz. The natural color of the granite massif is light gray, but due to various impurities, the final color can be different:pink, red, blue, green, dark grey. Granite has a characteristic grain pattern.

Marble characteristics

Marble is a rock composed of calcium and magnesium carbonate. The texture of the material is always heterogeneous, has streaks and stains. The color of marble is usually light, and various impurities color the stone in other shades: yellow, red, black. The structure of the rock is such that it can be easily polished.

Comparison

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of which is better, granite or marble, since both materials have a lot of advantages. Each of them has its own characteristics and disadvantages. The first difference between granite and marble is durability. This material is more resistant to abrasion and wear, so it is often used for flooring in public places with a large flow of people, such as subway stations, flights of stairs, as well as for facing bar counters and countertops.

Marble is a more demanding and capricious stone. It is less slippery, so it can be used to finish stairs and floors in rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms. Thanks to its characteristic vague pattern, marble is used to create sculptures and monuments, decor elements for interiors and facades. What else marble differs from granite is its fragility. Marble does not tolerate prolonged exposure to high temperatures, and is also extremely sensitive to many chemicals.

It is easy to understand from the photo how granite differs from marble. The first material has a variegated, granular color, and the second is more uniform, with graceful veins. Granite can be of different colors: gray of all shades, from white to almost black, as well as pink, red, blue, green or combine several colors at the same time. The marble is colored more evenly in yellow, red or black tones.

Granite and marble for ritual structures

The main difference between marble and granite for monuments is texture density. Granite is denser, has almost no pores, and therefore is more durable. Granite slabs and monuments do not change their appearance over time, they easily cope with any temperature fluctuations. The structure of marble, in turn, is saturated with pores, so the stone absorbs moisture. In frost, the liquid freezes and cracks form on the surface of the monument. To prevent this from happening, the tombstone should be treated with varnish or special wax once a year. Without constant care, dirt accumulates in the pores, over time, the marble monument becomes covered with stains and fungi, so it should be cleaned with professional tools once every 3-5 years. However, in the case when it is necessary to make a statue, it is better to prefer marble. Due to the malleable structure, the stone can be given the finest cut, faithfully reproduce the face and other elements of the sculpture.

Granite is more durable, better suited for flooring in public places, and tombstones made from this stone remain unchangedliterally for centuries. Marble is good because it is easy to process, does not slip when wet and in most cases looks more noble. Both types of materials are suitable for the construction of countertops. Granite does not lend itself well to primary processing, it is difficult to give curly edges to the panels, but such a table practically does not need care. Marble, on the other hand, requires constant attention.