Marble and granite are both hugely popular among homeowners today for kitchen and bathroom countertops, flooring, and even walls and decorative home elements. But the average homeowner typically can’t tell the difference between these two luxury surface materials.

The fact is there is a vast difference between marble and granite. And the one you should choose for your kitchen, bathroom, or another area of your home depends on a lot of different factors.

The Essential Difference

Both marble and granite are mined from the ground. But that’s where the similarities generally end.

You can immediately tell the difference between marble and granite by simply looking. Mable typically has veins running through the rock, while granite usually has a fleck-like, granular appearance.

Technically, granite falls into the category of “siliceous stone”, which means it is mostly made of silica or quartz-like particles. Granite is what’s known as an igneous rock that formed as it cooled deep below the earth’s surface. This is precisely what makes it so durable as well as simple to clean. Other siliceous stones include slate and sandstone.

Marble, on the other hand, is a “calcareous stone”, which means its mostly made of calcium carbonate. It started its life as limestone but then was exposed to intense heat and pressure. That’s what makes marble so sensitive to cleaning products, vinegar, and acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and wine. Other calcareous stones are travertine, limestone, and onyx.

Marble vs Granite

Another difference is their porosity. Marble is much softer and more porous than granite, which is actually one of the strongest of all-natural stones. Granite’s crystalline structure makes it a lot more resistant to abrasion, staining, and discoloration.

Now that you know the difference between these two popular surface materials, y can now walk into a kitchen counter showroom and make an educated choice about which is better for your home.