Natural stone has long been used for the construction of buildings and the construction of monuments, and varieties such as marble and granite are of the greatest value. Both types of stone have a noble appearance, are reliable and practical. They are resistant to mechanical stress and are easily cleaned of contaminants, so they are almost 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 Characteristic
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, as well as quartz. The natural color of the granite massif is light gray, but due to various impurities, the final color may be different: pink, red, blue, green, dark gray. Granite has a characteristic granular pattern.
Marble Feature
Marble is a rock and consists of calcium carbonate and magnesium. The texture of the material is always heterogeneous, has streaks and stains. The color of marble, as a rule, is light, and various impurities color the stone in other shades: yellow, red, black. The structure of the rock is such that it is easy to polish.
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 its strength. This material is more resistant to abrasion and wear, therefore it is often used for flooring in public places with a large flow of people, for example, at metro stations, flights of stairs, as well as for facing bar counters and countertops.
Marble is more demanding and moody stone. It is less slippery, so it can be used for finishing 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, as well as decorative elements for interiors and facades. How else marble differs from granite is fragility. Marble does not tolerate prolonged exposure to high temperature, 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 motley, grainy color, and the second is more uniform, with elegant veins. Granite can be of different colors: gray in all shades, from white to almost black, as well as pink, red, blue, green, or combine several colors at the same time. Marble is painted more evenly in yellow, red or black tones.
Granite and marble for ritual constructions
The main thing that distinguishes marble from granite for monuments is the density of the texture. Granite is denser, has almost no pores, therefore it is more durable. Granite slabs and monuments do not change their appearance over time, they easily cope with any temperature differences. 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 avoid this, 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 is covered with stains and fungi, so once in 3-5 years it should be cleaned with professional means. However, in the case when it is necessary to make a statue, it is better to prefer marble. Due to the pliable structure, the stone can be given the finest cut, reliably reproduce the face and other elements of the sculpture.
Granite is more durable, better suited for flooring in public places, and tombstones made of this stone remain unchanged for literally centuries. Marble is good because it is easy to process, does not slip when moisture gets in and in most cases it looks more noble. For the construction of countertops, both types of materials are suitable. Granite does not lend itself well to primary processing, it is difficult to give panels curly edges, but such a table practically does not need leaving. Marble, on the contrary, requires constant attention.