Marble vs Granite vs Travertine
What they are
- Marble: Metamorphic stone with veining (calcite/dolomite). Lux, softer, acid-sensitive.
- Granite: Igneous stone (quartz/feldspar). Very hard, dense, stain/heat resistant.
- Travertine: Porous limestone with natural voids; warm, rustic look.
Look & feel
- Marble: Classic veining, high polish, elegant; shows etches/patina over time.
- Granite: Grainy/crystalline patterns; modern or speckled looks; consistent.
- Travertine: Earthy tones, honed/tumbled textures; voids filled or left open.
Performance & durability
- Scratch/impact: Granite best, Marble moderate, Travertine lower (especially with open pores).
- Stain/acid resistance: Granite best; Marble/Travertine etch with acids (wine, lemon, vinegar).
- Heat: All good; Granite tolerates hot pans best (use trivets anyway).
- Slip (wet): Honed/tumbled Travertine grippy; polished Marble/Granite slippery when wet.
- Outdoor/weather: Granite excels; Travertine good when dense and sealed; Marble may weather/etch faster.
Maintenance
- Sealing: All benefit; Marble/Travertine need it more often.
- Cleaning: pH-neutral cleaners only for Marble/Travertine (avoid acids).
- Repairs: Chips on Marble/Travertine blend easier; Granite chips are rarer but harder to disguise.
Best uses
- Marble: Bathroom vanities, low-traffic floors, feature walls, stairs (honed).
- Granite: Kitchen countertops, busy floors, exterior steps/cladding.
- Travertine: Patios, pool surrounds (tumbled), warm-look interiors, bathrooms (honed + sealed).
Costs (percentages only; Travertine = baseline 0%)
(Actuals vary by grade, thickness, finish, slab size, fabrication complexity.)
- Materials (tiles/slabs):
- Marble: +20–80% vs Travertine
- Granite: +10–60% vs Travertine
- Fabrication (cutouts, edge profiles, polishing):
- Marble: +10–30% vs Travertine (softer, more handling)
- Granite: +0–20% vs Travertine (tooling/wear)
- Installation labor (per m²):
- Marble: +5–20% vs Travertine (weight/handling)
- Granite: +0–15% vs Travertine
- Lifecycle care over ~10–15 yrs (sealing, spot repairs):
- Marble: +10–25% vs Travertine (etch/stain care)
- Granite: −10–20% vs Travertine (lowest upkeep)
Benefits (owner outcomes)
- Marble: Iconic luxury, depth and veining; ages with a soft patina if cared for.
- Granite: Maximum toughness and stain/heat resistance; long service life with minimal fuss.
- Travertine: Warm, natural character; excellent traction in honed/tumbled finishes; comfortable underfoot outdoors.
Key risks & how to avoid them
- Etching (Marble/Travertine): acids dull the surface. Fix: seal well, use coasters; choose honed over polished in kitchens.
- Staining (all, esp. Travertine): unsealed pores wick liquids. Fix: penetrating sealer; wipe spills fast.
- Slippery polished floors (Marble/Granite): Fix: honed/antislip finishes in wet zones; use mats.
- Freeze–thaw (porous stones outdoors): Fix: dense grades, correct bedding/drainage, maintain joints/sealant.
- Color/vein variation (Marble/Travertine): Fix: approve bundle slabs; dry-lay and blend tiles.
Quick choice guide
- Hard-wearing, low maintenance, kitchens/exteriors? → Granite
- Luxury feature, classic veining, lower-acid zones? → Marble (honed)
- Warm, rustic look, patios/pools/baths with grip? → Travertine (tumbled/honed + sealed)
Short FAQ
- Can marble go in kitchens? Yes, but expect etching; choose honed and embrace patina or use protective boards.
- Is travertine OK for pools? Yes—tumbled/honed with proper sealing and drainage performs well.
- Granite vs quartz? Granite = natural, heat/scratch resistant; engineered quartz = uniform look, not ideal for direct high heat.
