marble and granite

[delano]

Hi All,

dumb question --> what is the differnce between marble and granite? I'm thinking about replacing our countertop and have heard of people replacing them with granite tiles and was wondering if you could use marble as well?

Thanks,

Delano

[Keystone]

Delano,

Good to hear from you again. Where ya been hiding?

Granit and Marble are two different rocks. That's about how deap I can get into the difference for ya! I'm sure someone out there will have a good answer, but in the mean time this will bump ya to the top.



Ken "Keystone" Delano

[TDHofstetter]

Yep, Del, as Del said - granite and marble are two very different types of stone. Granite is extremely hard and nonporous, while marble is extremely soft and very porous. Marble is very easy to work (especially when you compare it against granite), but it's not awfully well-suited for coutertops unless it's sealed or covered with something. As I mentioned, it's porous. That means every spaghetti sauce spill, every coffee ring, every chocolate-syrup smear... will become part of your decor unless the marble is completely sealed.

I built a cabinet at one point with six marble panels embedded into the top, suspended by a frame. Knowing that marble is so porous, I covered it with a sheet of 1/4" Lexan (which won't shatter like Plexi if you drop something heavy or hard on it). Sure, it scratches if ya drag something rough across the top - but Lexan is a whole lot easier to replace than marble is... especially matched panels.

-- Tim --


Eschew obfuscation.

[Danford C Jennings]

A common, coarse grained, hard ingeous rock consisting mainly of quartz and feldspar...

Marble, n 1. A metamorphic, often streaked, rock formed by the crystlization of limestone or dolomite....

Both are used in building, as to Marble being unsuitable for a counter top, that would be highly subjective. Confectioners use Marble almost exclusively...Personally, I would go with Marble before Granite for a counter top but only for asthetic reasons. FWIW.

Dano

[PastorPaul]

Just goes to show how little I know. I thought marble was one of those little round things us older guys used to play with when we were little tikes. :P

Pastor Paul

"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[Mark F]

If you want a smooth shiney surface that will stay mostly that way forever get granite. Marble will be smooth and shiney when installed but over time will scratch and have more of a dull, old world, brushed look. It really scratches very easily, just dragging a pan across the surface could leave a scratch you will live with forever. It also stains with anything acidic.

Mark F

[daveferg]

Personally, I wouldn't consider marble for a counter top. Over the years, I've read entirely too many questions about cleaning it, repairing it, refurbishing it----to want it in a high-use area like a counter top. Conversely, I've never read anyone's question about cleaning granite.

From what I've read, using granite tiles seems to be a newer, popular way to go. My S in L/daughter have solid granite---while it's fine now, there were some real touch and go moments where cuts had to be made with little surface left to support it's own weight----such as around a cooktop----not as much of a problem with tiles.

[LumberJock]

>Just goes to show how little I know. I thought marble was
>one of those little round things us older guys used to play
>with when we were little tikes. :P

Hey, I used to play with marbles when I was a kid. I'm 24 so I guess it wasn't too long ago :D It seems I found other ways to use them though. They made great slingshot ammo!

[Keystone]

Paul

That must have been long befor you lost them!

[Lou_williams]

I have written two replys to this post and lost it twice. That comes from using a beta browser.

I have just finished a few months ago a granite tile counter top.

The first thing to know is that the vast majority of stone sold today as granite is not infact granite. It is made up of lots of stones and the applitude for counter material ranges from better than granite to very very poor for that use.

You need to do a lot of research on any stone you might think about using before you buy it and install.

Marble is a wonderful stone, and everything people have said is true. It is used a lot for counter tops in pastry shops and in europe. The key issue with it is the scratching, staining, and etching. After a while it develops a patina that is ok in working kitchens.

But, In the US most of the time it is more important that the kitchen look nice than work right. Thus Granite and other very hard stones are used.

I have tried to post links but that has caused me to loose the post twice, so just go on google and look for granite and marble sealing, cleaning, etc.

[PastorPaul]

Nice to know someone else found that supplemental use for them. :P

Pastor Paul

"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[PastorPaul]

Keystone,

You are making the assumption that I had them to begin with.

There is now a low cost mail order woodworking course. You are give a text book and a bag of marbles. On day one, you fill your mouth with marbles and begin reading your woodworking text book. Each day you remove one marble and continue reading your text book. Once you lose all your marbles you are qualified to be a woodworker. :P

Pastor Paul

"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[delano]

Thank you all for the responses! Looks like granite would be the best way to go. My wife and I are just trying to decide how we want to spruce up our home using some of our refund. We're thinking of painting cabinets, new counter and maybe new floor. I'll probably be posting another question in a week or so to get advice on painting our cabinets. I had thought about refacing but may be more money than we want to spend now.

thanks again to all!

Delano

PS - Ken, i've been 'around' but busy :-) We had our 3rd child in April and so time has been a little short in supply. LOL!

[daveferg]

Delano---one other thought. My girlfriend---now LOML, had beautiful ceramic tile counter tops installed in her kitchen. However, one of many reasons we decided not to live in her house, was the kitchen cabinets. They were cheap composite and were beginning to fall apart. I managed to do some repairs, but doing the job right would have wipped out the counter tops.

Moral of the store----countertops are the last step in a kitchen remodel and from what you said, you might want to consider that in your planning.

[PastorPaul]

Yes, when it comes to countertops, never take marble for granite. :P

Pastor Paul

"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[Patty]

We have used both granite tiles and solid granite for countertops and flooring and showers over the years. I think it is beautiful and it lasts forever. One thing to keep in mind if you go for granite tiles is your grout lines. You may want to seal the grout to keep it from staining. We are putting granite tiles in our shower right now, and have opted to butte(sp?)the tiles right up to each other, thus eliminating the wide grout lines. I think it gives a cleaner look...not so busy. FWIW :)

Anyway good luck with your project, it sounds fun.

[Keystone]

Patty

Got a better link to your home page? How far south into IA are you?

[Patty]

We have a small sawmill on our farm about 70 miles north of Des Moines. We are pretty much out in the boonies, the way we like it. The web address I posted should work, BTW. www.muddcreeksawmillandlumber.com

[Keystone]

You're south of Iowa Falls then. If you wer closer to Mason City, I'd pay you a visit! Oh well.............