Marble x granite: differences and care for each

Marble x granite: differences and care for each


Discover the main features, the advice for the use and maintenance of each stone

Very present in houses and apartments, the marble and the granite cause doubts in choosing between one and the other. Besides the sophisticated look and unique beauty, the stones also offer a wide range of variety of tones and textures. And, despite having been widely used for thousands of years, doubts still linger between them. Therefore, the architect Patricia Penna reveals, below, the characteristics and the best way to use each of these materials.

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Much more than their beauty, the stones are distinguished by their durability and exclusivity, as no two are alike.

“When we define the material for a project, it is essential to evaluate what its application will be, whether it will be used on kitchen countertops, floors or walls. Also, if the area is exposed to high heat, insolation, if there will be contact with products for cleaning,” explains the architect.

Marble

Project by Suellen Figueiredo.

Elegance is the word that best defines this material, which has long been part of the history of architecture. But, when choosing marble, it must be taken into account that it is a delicate materialwith large percentage of limestone in its composition and, to be enough porous, it needs to be properly treatedpreventing the application from bringing future problems.

“It should be avoided in environments where there is direct contact with abrasive products AND drastic temperature changesas it will lose its characteristics and may break,” warns Patricia.

Although it is not very suitable for the kitchen, it is quite versatile, and can be used in a variety of ways, such as cladding of walls, floors, worktops, fireplaces (only outdoors, where there is thermal insulation), stairs and even furniture. .

Project by Gabriela Mendes.

“Because it is more fragile, the use of marble in external areas must be evaluated very carefully, as the atmospheric agents will certainly modify the surface and the material could be damaged”, explains the architect.

Countertops and bathroom floors also receive marble well, as there are no large temperature variations. But there is still the incidence of water, which changes the material over the long term and the abrasion and grease, albeit lighter, of personal use and cleaning products. The recommendation, therefore, is the same: they always require good and frequent maintenance of the waterproofing and require cleaning care.

Possible finishes in marble

  • Sanding: polished stone, but without lustre, and with possible imperfections (such as pores and undercuts) that will remain open.
  • Polished: stone polished to a near-mirror sheen (most common finish). In this case the surface becomes slippery in contact with water, so it is necessary to carefully evaluate where it will be installed.
  • plastered: the material can receive this treatment which will close its pores and recesses with a resin suitable for this purpose. After this step it can be polished or sanded and, in any case, the material must be waterproofed.

granites

StudioTaco project.

Formed by three minerals (mica, feldspar and quartz)granite is aesthetically beautiful, stronger than marble, quite hardy and there are several varieties. Its appearance, in general, is mixed due to its geological composition and, unlike marble, it does not show the traditional “movements”.

It is widely used due to its low cost, as in addition to being more resistant to abrasion (cleaning products, citrus foods, etc.), permeability and impact, it has a lower cost than marble. Furthermore, It has great resistance to temperature changes.making it an ideal material for interior or exterior countertops and floors.

Project by Letícia Nannetti.

“Its increased strength makes it ideal for use in high-traffic environments, such as pedestrian accesses, vehicles, stairways and even facades,” reveals Patricia, who also reiterates that the natural material can be applied in fireplaces, thresholds, baseboards, window sills and benches in general.

Despite its good durability, it is important to remember that the material is too requires some care during cleaning and maintenance so it stays nice and spotless.

Avoid using abrasive products or any product that contains acidic components. “The best thing is to adopt neutral soap or detergent and water for cleaning,” concludes the architect who uses natural stone in his interior designs.

Possible finishes in granite

Project by Roots Architects.

  • Flamed: receives an attack of flames, which gives it a rustic, almost natural character. Ideal for external access. It can be on countertops or walls if you want the rustic finish. The interesting thing about this finish is that it transforms common and low-cost materials into beautiful finishes of incredible nobility. It must be waterproofed.
  • diamond: the material is sanded, resulting in a rough finish that is more uniform than flamed. It also needs to be waterproofed.
  • Polished: the material is polished to a mirror finish. This is the most common use. It gets slippery when wet and just like marble, needs to be graded well. It must be waterproofed.

The Brazilians’ favorite granites for kitchen countertops

  • White Sienna: in a light beige shade, with dots, it is the most sought-after neutral material due to its affordability.
  • Black St. Gabriel: It’s one of the best cost-effective dark material options, not to mention that black goes with everything.
  • Imperial coffee brown: in a brown hue, it has small geological formations called almonds, which refer to a coffee bean. It’s also good value for money!
  • Pure black: It costs about 50% more than the São Gabriel, but is successful because it has a black tone with almost no interference.

Source: Terra

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