Natural Stone vs Man-Made. What’s the Difference? Natural stone and man-made materials have different properties and uses. Natural stone is a product of nature, formed by the earth over millions of years. It is quarried from the ground, cut and polished to be used in construction and for decorative purposes.
Granite
Natural stones
You can find natural stone in many forms. For example, granite, marble, limestone, and sandstone are all natural stones. Each natural stone has unique characteristics such as color, pattern, and durability. For more info visit Natural Stone Institute website.
Marble
Marble
Man-made stones
Man-made stones, on the other hand, are created in a factory using various types of raw materials. These materials are molded and shaped to resemble natural stone. They are commonly used in construction and decorative purposes as well, but they are less durable than natural stone. Examples of man-made materials include concrete, cultured marble, and engineered stone.
Quartz
Quartz
One of the main differences between natural stone and man-made materials is their durability. Natural stone is more durable and long-lasting than man-made stone, making it a better choice for high-traffic areas and outdoor use. However, natural stone can be more expensive than man-made materials.
Another difference is the appearance. Natural stone has a unique and natural beauty that can’t be replicated by man-made materials. Man-made materials can mimic the look of natural stone, but they lack the individuality and character of real natural stone.
Conclusion
Natural stone and man-made materials have their own unique characteristics and uses. It depends on the specific project and the desired outcome. You should consider factors like durability, cost and appearance when deciding between natural stone and man-made materials. Both natural and man made stones would need maintenance over time. NOVA stones care specialists are pros at cleaning, buffing and polishing natural stone surfaces. Call NOVA Stone Care to get a free estimate for your natural stone restoration or maintenance. Check out our blog section for more helpful tips. We breathe life into your stone.
Marble vs granite – what is the difference? Customers always ask this question. Marble and granite are two popular, highly sought-after natural stones which have been around for the centuries. They both have their pros and cons in terms of appearance, durability and maintenance.
What is marble?
Marble is a natural stone formed beneath the earth. It is referred to as metamorphic rock which is a rock that has been physically and chemically transformed over time. Marble is formed when limestone in the earth’s crust faces high temperature and pressure. This causes the stone to undergo a metamorphosis stage when the limestone begins to recrystallize, changing the texture of the rock and causing the calcite crystals to grow and interlock.
Marble Island
Beloved by emperors and artisans alike, marble has been long considered the most elegant and luxurious stone. It is also highly versatile. People use it in flooring, ornamental furnishings, fireplaces and bathrooms. It adds drama and elegance to the interior and exterior of any building. Just like any other natural stone,marble comes in a variety of colors ranging from milky white to red and black which is the result of impurities in the stone’sstructure. Minerals present during recrystallization can sometimes tint the entire piece of marble in various colors. Since marble is made of calcite crystals which is a salt of calcium, marble is prone to staining especially from liquids which are acidic in nature. NOVA Stone Care does not usually recommend installing marble for exposed places like commercial kitchens.
Marble Countertops
What is Granite?
Granite is a granular igneous rock which means it was formed from a cooling magma. Many items that we encounter in our daily activities are made from granite, like pavers, floor tiles and cemetery monuments. Many famous places like Mount Rushmore, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Torres del Paine in Chile are granite hubs.
Granite Island
The composition of granite is made up of collectively interlocked quartz and feldspar minerals. It has been in use extensively since ancient times as construction, decorative and architectural stone.
Granite Countertop
Granite vs Marble
Hardness and longevity: Granite is considered more durable than marble. It is resistant to fire and heat, scratching, chipping and cracking. Granite has long been the premier choice of designers and builders for countertops due to both its beauty and durability. Compared to granite, marble is more susceptible to fading of color and becoming duller overtime. Weather and temperature differentials can cause it to break and erode. At NOVA Stone Care we can restore your marble surfaces to its previous smooth, elegant finish and vibrant color.
Appearance: The appearances of marble and granite differ from each other. Granite is typically speckled with many different minerals. Because there are so many different minerals in nature, there are thousands of colors of granite available. Marble, on the other hand, has a grayish or cream color with veins running through it. Although there are some darker slabs available as well. Regardless of the coloration, one of the most unique aspects of marble is that it’s translucent, meaning you can see past the outer surface.
Applications: The durable quality of granite makes it a perfect choice for fireplaces, bars, floors, while marble is more suitable for less trafficked areas like bathrooms, powder rooms, and hot tub surrounds.
Reactivity to Acidic substance: Both granite and marble are natural stones with a porous structure but the metamorphic attributes of marble makes it especially vulnerable to household acids like vinegar, mustard, ketchup and citrus vegetables and fruits. Acidic substances can cause etching when they come into contact with marble. On the other hand, granite is much more resilient towards stains. Usually, liquids that have been spilled on your countertop will evaporate within half an hour, so even if you have very porous granite, spilling something like water or oil isn’t going to permanently damage it as long as the surface is covered with a well maintained permanent sealer.
Maintenance: Since marble and granite are both porous natural stones, they need to be sealed to protects against staining and etching. Marble requires sealing much more frequently than granite. It is recommended that marble is sealed twice a year, depending on the color and quality of the marble. For granite, sealing once every two years is sufficient. The actual requirement for resealing depends on how heavily you use the surface. To preserve the quality of your stone surface, you need to be diligent about sealing it. NOVA Stone Care specialist can help with that. To find out more about natural stone industry, visit Natural Stone Institute website.
Conclusion
Marble vs granite – what is the difference? Marble and granite both look beautiful, are easy to clean, and stand the test of time but they also both have unique, distinguished characteristics. Marble’s smooth, cool surface, elegant veining, unique color palate and luxurious aesthetics makes it attractive to home owners and real estate agents. If you want the luxurious look that can be crafted to suit your needs and are not afraid to put some time and money in maintenance, go for marble. If you want a natural stone with more durability, scratch resistant properties and less wear and tear ability, then granite is the best option for you. When it comes to granite and marble maintenance and restoration no one pays more attention to detail than NOVA Stone Care specialists. Check out our project gallery section for more info and pictures. We breathe life into your stone.
Granite is a luxurious natural stone that stands out for its mirror-like, glossy shine and durability. However, like anything else, granite requires proper care and maintenance. Over time even this incredibly durable natural stone can fall victim to scratches, stains and dull spots. Eventually it loses its original shine and gleam.
Not to worry, this is usually fixable by professional deep cleaning, polishing and sealing. You can try to polish the granite yourself, but to ensure your investment in a granite countertop is well protected, it is best to hire a knowledgeable stone technician who will fix the problem instead of causing more damage.
NOVA Stone Care technicians specialize in restoring granite to its natural beauty and shine. When they arrive at the job site, they cover the entire work area with plastic covers, protective tapes and drop cloth. This step ensures surrounding objects and furniture does not get dirty or stained. Next, we deep clean the stone surface immaculately before polishing and sealing it.
We use nonabrasive polishing compound that is specifically made to use on natural stone. Our preferred product is MB-20 from MB Sone Care which is ideal for restoring the gleam to countertops that have gone through considerable wear and tear. During the polishing process, we remove small layers of granite that are dull, scratched and stained in order to reveal fresh, smooth stone beneath it.
After polishing, the last step is ensuring that your stone is properly sealed. While granite is made of a tough material, it is a natural stone and it can still get stained. A proper sealing is the most important line of defense against the future damage. We recommend resealing the granite once a year for lighter tone granites and once in two years for darker stones.
Once we are done with the sealing, we clean the surrounding area and take down the plastic covers. Our stone technicians leave the work area squeaky clean. If you want to restore the natural beauty and shine of your granite, don’t hesitate to reach out to NOVA Stone Care for a free estimate. Check out our project gallery to see some examples of our work.
