In terms of appearance alone, there seems to be little difference between marble and ceramic dining tables, both of which have beautiful natural textures and a wide range of color options. Both are strong, heavy, hard-wearing and have hard stoneware features.
“What’s the difference between a marble dining table and a ceramic dining table, which one is better?”
That’s the frequently asked question we often get from customers
As a dining table manufacturer with 18 years of experience in stone and ceramics, we do a comparative analysis of the two from the material performance to help you get a rough idea, so you can make the right decision.
You may have seen marble and ceramics everywhere, but few people know what they compose of and how they behave as a tabletop. Let’s begin from here.
What is marble?
Marble is a natural stone, which is a kind of metamorphic rock formed by different types of rocks over hundreds of years under the high temperature and pressure generated by the movement of the earth’s crust.
Marble is mainly composed of calcite, limestone, serpentine and dolomite, and its main component is calcium carbonate, which accounts for about 50% or more.
The main advantages of marble are its natural and thick texture, with rich color. It is beautiful, fashionable and high-grade, with a solemn and majestic artistic effect.
Unlike other natural stones, the texture of each marble piece is different. After processing and polishing, the surface of the marble is smooth and delicate, bright and fresh, which can help a room to look more elegant and generous, and it can also make the dining atmosphere look more dignified and elegant. The main advantages and disadvantages are concluded as below.
Pros and cons of marble
Pros
*It has been fashionable forever
*It works with many different design styles, it can fit into the modern, farmhouse and all kinds of decors.
* Choosing marble gives you a very luxurious vibe, so it’s a great choice.
Cons
*Compared with ceramic, it’s a soft material and is prone to scuffs and scratches. A knife can leave some mark for example.
*It’s permeable. In order to improve its stain resistance, the surface of the marble table is sealed to enhance its resistance to penetration and stains. Despite the surface being sealed, you still need to be careful with the use of red wine, curry, ketchup and other residues that can still penetrate it and be difficult to wipe off.
The ceramic tabletop, what is it?
The ceramic mentioned here is different from the ordinary small-size ceramics like floor or wall tiles. It appears in large sizes such as 1800×900, 2700×1200, or 3200×1500 and thicknesses range from 3mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 9mm to 12mm, and even 20mm.
The ceramics applied for our dining table are made of natural inorganic minerals by applying 30,000 tons of pressure combined with advanced production technology and sintering at 1280-degree temperatures (that’s why people also call this upgraded material “sintered stone”). It looks like natural stone, but its hardness and other properties are much stronger than stone. Compared with ordinary ceramics, it can withstand cutting, drilling and grinding, and will rarely crack.
Features of ceramic tabletop
Scratch resistance
Mohs hardness scale 6-7. Sharp knives won’t leave obvious scratches on the surface.
UV-proof
Super anti-UV and anti-freeze properties.
A very tough material that will last at least 30 years with no obvious discoloration, besides for tabletop use, it’s still very suitable for building facades and outdoor usage.
High-density material
Water absorption as low as 0.06%, more stain resistant than any other natural stone or engineered stone, easy to clean and maintain.
Chemical resistant
UHA Grade acid and alkali resistant. Vinegar and soda commonly used at home will not harm a ceramic tabletop at all.
It is an ideal worktop material for laboratories or other places that require an extremely hygienic environment.
Hygienic
It is a dense, non-porous material, impermeable, mold, and other bacteria can’t be bred here.
And it’s made of natural inorganic material, non-toxic, and non-radioactive, so it can be in direct contact with food.
Fire resistant
It was sintered in an oven with 1280-degree centigrade temperatures, so it won’t scorch or discolor when exposed to flame.
Furthermore, you can find a list of quick differences in the comparison chart below.
Differences in physical and chemical properties between the two
| Marble | Super ceramic/ porcelain/sintered stone | |
| Main components | Calcium carbonate | Silicon dioxide, inorganic clay, feldspar powder, etc. |
| How it’s generated | It was once limestone changed due to intense heat and pressure in the earth’s crust | Compressed by a 33,000-ton press and fired at 1,280 degrees for 180 minutes in a roller kiln |
| Water absorption | 1-3% | 0.02-0.05% |
| High and low-temperature resistance | Can withstand a certain degree of high and low temperatures |
Class A1 fireproof, withstand high temperature of 1280 degrees Celsius, able to withstand sudden heat and cold |
| Corrosion resistance | Alkali resistant but not acid resistant, easily eroded by weathering | GLA, GHA grade acid and alkali resistant |
| Hardness and strength | Softer, Mohs hardness level 3-4 | Mohs hardness grade 6-7, very scratch resistant |
Differences you can see in a marble and ceramic table
| Marble | Super ceramic/ porcelain/sintered stone | |
| Beauty | Very charming and luxurious | Very beautiful and elegant |
| Hardness | The softer tabletop can be scratched with a knife | Very hard and scratch resistant |
| Porosity | Marble is porous, so the tabletop should be sealed to be stain resistant | Nonporous material, impermeable |
| Heat resistance | Marble is susceptible to heat | Can withstand up to 1280 degrees Celsius, you can directly put a hot pot on top without a coaster |
| Sealant required or not | Marble requires sealing frequently, maybe twice a year | No need for any coat |
| Chemical resistant | Can be damaged by cleaning liquids, use gentle cleaner only |
Household cleaners won’t harm the ceramic tabletop at all |
| Aging or fading | Colour is susceptible to fading and duller over time | Never fades, is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use |
| Thickness for tabletop | 18-25mm, very heavy, needs more labor to carry and move | 3mm ceramics can be laminated to 12mm or you can directly pick up 12mm thick ceramic top, it’s lighter a lot than a same-size marble table. |
As a professional ceramic dining table manufacturer, we have a variety of faux marble pattern ceramic dining tables for you to choose from, come and take a look!
