From an aesthetic standpoint, it is all a matter of taste as to which one to use. Both types of stone have their own individual beauty and "personality".

MARBLE

Marble comes in an extremely wide range of colors, and offers wonderful veining. No two pieces of marble are ever alike. In fact, part of this natural stone's beauty is that its irregularities will make any floor, wall or other surface, unique and "alive". Granite also comes in a very large variety of colors. Its look, however, is more of a speckled and crystalline one. Veining may also occur in some granites, but still it is prevalently more uniform than marble. Marble is often favored for added sophistication to a particular setting. In residential environments, for example, it is widely used in entrance ways, living rooms (especially around a fireplace), bathrooms walls & floors, bathroom vanity tops & shower walls, as well as surrounding bathtubs. Marble is also very popular with furniture (modern and antique furnishings), and has countless applications with simple ornaments, such as vases, bookends, candle holders and many more.

No doubt about it: marble is indeed a beautiful stone. But as beautiful as it is, it may not always be a very pragmatic one, so serious consideration must be given to each individual application. When compared to granite, marble is a softer stone, and less stain & scratch resistant. Spills on marble surfaces must be removed at once to prevent possible damage to the stone, especially those containing oil or acid. One should also resist the temptation to clean marble with any type of abrasive products, in order to prevent scratches and loss of shine. A general rule is to understand & accept that, anything that can stain will generally stain marble, unless appropriate precautions are taken; this can be as simple as always using coasters on table tops.

GRANITE

Granite can be just as beautiful as marble. It also has the advantage of offering additional value: it is stronger, does not scratch as easily, it is generally also more resistant in harsh environments, making it a prime candidate for many commercial projects. Further, those qualities make granite a great stone for many applications in a kitchen, and counter tops are a favorite. It is also widely used as dining room tables, bar tops and flooring, to name only a few. Granite is very durable. It is stain and scratch resistant, hence will require less care. Granite is also more suited for exterior applications than marble is. Because it is stronger, it also benefits from more surface treatment options. Granite is therefore a more versatile stone. One granite alone can offer several looks, each based on a different texture, and each of which equally as attractive. This gives the architect, the designer and the building owner, a much appreciated freedom of creativity.

So, marble or granite? Both equally beautiful; both with their individual characteristics to consider. The choice is yours, but one thing is for sure: Mother Nature did all right.....and we can't beat that!