Both can be beautiful *when installed correctly.* If you go the marble route, know that the floor's underlying structure will have to meet much stricter deflection requirements and may need to be significantly reinforced.

Thank you!

good to know

was wondering about upkeep, opinions sbout peoples thoughts with their choices of both . any regrets?

Emser manufactures some porcelain marble-look tiles such as Chronicle, Contessaand Vienna whose matt finish makes them suitable (non-slip) for installation in wet areas. Care and Maintenance.

-- amateur

Get porcelain. It is low maintenance. Also, marble can rust because it has iron deposits in it.

My mom did her entire bathroom in marble, floors, Jacuzzi tub surround and shower. She has had it re-polished twice and will no longer use the shower. Personally I think that's nuts and like the look of aged marble. But, with that said, I would also never ever do my whole bathroom in the stuff.

We chose a matte look marble tile. As long as the repeats are minimal the porcelain tile that you pick could look beautiful without the worry, maintenance or any of the hundred other things that can go wrong with natural marble. Go take a look around in tile stores and see how really similar the porcelain looks to natural. They are low maintenance and very low worry,lol good luck w your choice..

I like 12 x24 porcelain tile for both bathroom floors and shower walls so usually the upkeep of marble is not what people want so marble look porcelain works well.

The other negative thing about marble is that it will etch around the toilet if there is someone in your household with bad aim. I know this because I had a teenaged boy. :-)

I have marble tiles in both of my bathrooms - including the shower floor.

I looked at alternatives but they didn't speak to me in the same way that natural stone did.

I don't have horrendous maintenance issues. The only thing I have done is to only have cleaners that are safe for marble in my home so there can be no "mistakes" - that includes a toilet bowl cleaner that is safe for marble.

Marble does need to be periodically sealed but that isn't a huge issue for me. It is not something that has to be done often - at least in my experience. I hire someone who also cleans the grout but sealing is pretty easy to do if someone wanted to do it themseles.

Thank you everyone that had chimed in so far. i appreicate yoru experimced and opinions

don't buy the cheaper marble. that's usually where you get the mineral deposits that can change the color. True carrara or calacatta ONLY comes from Italy and won't be as cheap as the other white marble that look like it.

I did my bathroom in carrara (but it came from china, so who knows if it's the real deal). while I do like it, you can only clean it w/stone safe cleaners. hard water droplets will etch it (I have honed so it's not as noticable)

it's up to you what you're willing to put up with in terms of looks.

If you can find a porcelain that is a good knock off to marble, get it.

Thanks beth ! your floor looks pretty

i hope it lasts well for you

its been a while since i did a remodel and looked for tile/stone. i was shocked recently when i saw some tile from china

i remember most tile was from italy,

Spain, Greece…. never china! now insee it a lot sonce ive been looking . crazy….

id like to avoid it.