porcelain vs. marble - same price - what would you do?

15 years ago

Hi All - We found a great marble at basically the same price as a beautiful porcelain (that looks just like the marble - best copy I've ever seen)...for the same price would you get marble or porcelain? Thanks as always!

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Comments (5)

oruboris
15 years ago
Porcelain is usually more expensive than natural stone, since the process of turning clay into an impervious tile is more involved than cutting and polishing a stone.

The porcelain will be easier to care for, won't stain or etch regardless of what cleaners you use. The marble will [almost certainly] look a little better, but be a little fussier to live with.

If the look is indistinguishable, I'd go with the porcelain.

Anyone use hair dye in this bath? That would make a difference for me.
beantownrenovator
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks oruboris - from my research marble has been much more than porcelain, which is why I was excited to find them at the same price (i have done my homework and it's a good marble too)...no issues with hair dye...would love others to weigh in as well. thanks!!
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sarschlos_remodeler
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Totally depends on who uses the bathroom and how often. For a powder room or guest bath -- I would go with the fussier marble (have you seen Mrs. Limestone's marble and jade basketweave floor? WOW). For an everyday use bathroom where there will be people using things like makeup, hairspray, lotions, nail polish, nail polish removers, shampoos, peroxide of any kind (be it for zits hair or booboos) or hydroxy type acid solutions, I would go with the porcelein. But, we're messy people and I can't guarantee at any given time that the 1 year old hasn't just flushed his sister's favorite barbie's shoe down the toilet, that the 4 year old hasn't just decided to play beauty salon and poured an entire bottle of shampoo in the sink to "wash" her dolls' hair, that DH hasn't accidentally left the peroxide within a stool's reach of the ne'er-do-well toddlers that rule our roost, or that the dog hasn't dug through the garbage and decided to chew up something I'd rather not have on the floor...
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Regardless of who's going to use this bathroom-- if they both look as good and cost the same, I'd take the porcelain in a heartbeat!! Maintenence FREE, for all intents and purposes.
plants4
15 years ago
plus look at Bill's comments on my thread -- concerning the extra support needed for natural stones, including marble. I learned a lot!

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg0512512924341.html

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porcelain vs. marble - same price - what would you do?

Comments (5)

oruboris

beantownrenovator
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porcelain vs. marble - same price - what would you do?

Comments (5)

oruboris

beantownrenovatorOriginal Author

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bill_vincent

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beantownrenovator
Original Author