Whatever the room and whatever the function of the room you are projecting, once you opt for tiles, a whole new world of options opens up before you. One of the dilemmas facing buyers and decorators is this: should you opt for marble tiles or marble effect tiles, normally referred to as porcelain tiles? In this blog post we will guide you through the pros and cons you need to weigh when making this decision based on 6 different criteria.
Price and Installation
In general, and at first glance, porcelain tiles are normally cheaper. So, you might be thinking, ok, that’s one criterion out of the way. However, you must hold on because things are not always as simple as they seem. Although porcelain tiles are normally cheaper than authentic marble tiles, you will need to install these tiles. Installing marble effect tiles can be quite expensive since they require a special grout. This means that when adding the price of the tiles to the installation cost, the end price between the 2 materials might not be so different.
Maintenance
Marble effect tiles are made of very hard material and more often than not, these are glazed. This combination makes these types of tiles resistant to water, stains and fading. On the other hand, marble is a porous material which can stain and be etched with acidic liquids. So why do so many people opt for it? Simple, this disadvantage can be cancelled by sealing the marble on a regular basis especially if it is used in a room which experiences a lot of wear and tear such as a kitchen.
Durability
Marble tiles and marble effect tiles are both very hard materials. Marble is suitable for any type of floor traffic which makes it unlikely to wear down under normal wear. The same cannot be said about porcelain since there are so many variations of it available. You might want to check what the porcelain you like rates on a PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) scale. Tiles with a PEI scale rating of 4 to 5 are good for both home and business premises. A PEI rating of 0 means those tiles are only suitable for floors. So, make sure you do your homework!
Beauty & Market Value
As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Aesthetics are very subjective and what you love might not be more than tolerated by somebody else. Beauty can be achieved using both materials but if you are looking at an investment, marble tiles should be your ultimate choice. The reason for this is that marble tiles are so appealing to so many people, that they may very well increase the resale value of your property.
For more help and advice regarding Marble Flooring, feel free to get in touch with us.