The Ultimate Material Comparison Guide

Granite

Natural granite is one of the most prominent materials available for use as a countertop surface. In fact, most people have heard of and perhaps even researched this material for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and other parts of home decor. Granite has some distinctive characteristics. This natural stone emerges as a variety of colors in different parts of the Earth. Here is a quick view of some of the traits of natural granite:

Granite vs. Marble

Comparing granite with marble (another very well known natural stone material) reveals some distinctive traits that distinguish each of these materials from the other. Beside being composed of very different substances, they differ in other ways. Namely, hardness, composition, and stone type. The following table compares these two materials side-by-side:

Granite vs. Quartz

When comparing granite with quartz, the biggest contrast is that granite is a natural stone and quartz is a man made material. Although they are both very hard materials, each has specific pros and cons that make it a go to choice for consumers.

Granite is a porous material which absorbs liquids that wind up on the surface. On the other hand, engineered quartz is non-porous and therefore does not absorb liquids. So any spills remain on the surface of the material and can be treated without having t0 penetrate the surface to remove any stains. Also, quartz surfaces do not need to be sealed. There are cases though when a quartz surface has been exposed to a substance that makes sealing the material beneficial. However, this is not the norm.

Granite also has some pros. One of those is the fact that it is more heat resistent than quartz. Engineered quartz contains resins that can be scorched of the heat is high enough. The table below compares some of the basic characteristics of granite and quartz.

Granite vs. Sintered Stone

Both granite and sintered stone come in on the upper end of the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Each is a very hard material and thus is durable. Granite is a natural material and sintered stone is man made. Beyond those facts though are a couple of other things that make these surface materials differ from one another.

Sintered stone can be consistently formed and made to be virtually any color. Thus, when selecting a sintered stone slab, you are sure to find that the resulting piece that winds up in your project will be exactly the same as the showroom piece you selected. However, with granite, you must select the exact slab that be used in your project. Otherwise, you may end up with a surface that looks different from how you imagined it.

Granite's unique coloring and distinctive patterns from one piece of stone to the next mean that consumers never end up with a surface that is exactly like anyone else. If a unique piece is important to your design, you will want to remember this point. The following table compares some granite and sintered stone properties.

Granite vs. Quartzite

As a general rule, fabricators that offer services for granite are probably bale to offer quartzite fabrication services too. These materials are so similar when it comes to their properties that you can find companies mentioning them together in the same sentence. Quartzite is slightly harder than some granite but otherwise they only differ in the technicalities and appearance.

One of the differences between granite and quartzite is that granite is an igneous rock and quartzite is a metamorphic rock. And even though both materials are composed largely of quartz, the way they are formed affects their appearance.

Granite vs. Limestone

Comparing granite to limestone reveals a number of differences between the two materials. Just looking at them next to one another a person can see that they are very different. Limestone is a light color and when there is another color, the contrast between the two colors is not as significant. Granite on the other hand may have a number of colors in it and the color changes will be more dramatic.

These two natural stones are different in composition as well. Granite is made up of very different minerals than limestone. Both are natural stone materials, but like many comparisons between natural stones, they vary in many respects. Below, you can see the comparison table that shows how granite compares with limestone.

Granite vs. Porcelain

Both granite and porcelain are very hard and wear well. Therefore, these surface materials will no doubt meet the requirements for many of the same applications. Both materials can be used for a number of applications. Everything from countertops to building facades.

Looking at the performance of both granite and porcelain, one can find some similar benefits. For example, both materials resist heat well and are scratch resistant because of their hardness.

Yet, one can also find some distinctive traits that set one material apart from the other. One such difference is the fact that porcelain does not need to be sealed like granite does. Another difference is that granite offers more variety than porcelain since it has virtually unlimited patterns. A comparison of these materials can be seen in the table below:

Granite vs. Travertine

Both of these materials can be found beautifying homes in many places. Granite is a common material used for countertops while travertine is often times utilized as a material for flooring tiles and back splashes. In fact, you can often find both being used in the same designs. But how do these materials compare?

Even at first glance, travertine looks very different from many natural stone materials; including granite. One visible difference is the holes in the material that are commonly called "pits" or "voids". These are a result of air pockets that develop while the stone is forming. These pits are in all travertine, yet sometimes it is filled using a filler that is designed to not only smooth out the surface, but also strengthen the material.

In addition to travertine having the holes and granite not, travertine is softer than granite and is composed of calcium carbonate which makes it susceptible to etching. To see a comparison of granite with travertine, see the comparison table below:

Granite vs. Concrete

You may be thinking that these two materials are used for such different things that a comparison between granite and concrete doesn't really make much sense. However, you might be surprised to learn that in one particular application these materials can be compared.

Granite countertops have long been the kitchen feature that consumers mention by name. And granite is the material to which all other countertop materials seem to be compared. Now though, concrete has made its way into the kitchen. That's right! Concrete countertops continue to grow in popularity. Because concrete is mixed and poured, it allows for a great deal of customization. Molds can be custom made and virtually any color can be mixed to create endless designs. Granite and concrete are compared in the following table:

Marble

Natural marble has a long history of usage in a number of very well known architectural applications. Because it is a relatively "soft" stone has been used extensively in sculptures across the globe. marble is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is white. Some marble though, has other materials in it as well. These are referred to as "impurities" in the sense that these materials prevent the marble from being "purely" composed of calcium carbonate. The impurities yield colored patterns in the stone that are commonly referred to as veining. The table below provides a quick glance at some of the properties of natural marble:

Marble vs. Quartz

If you were to place the kinds of materials used in fabrication on a wheel, marble and quartz would most likely rest on opposite ends of that wheel. Marble being a soft stone and quartz hard is one example of the contrasting properties. Additionally, marble is natural stone and quartz is man made.

You might be tempted to think that quartz is more desirable than marble. But do not discount marble's beauty so quickly. The appearance of natural marble has long been sought. In fact, quartz manufacturers try to mimic the appearance of natural marble. There are some pretty good replicas. However, genuine natural marble yields a completely unique piece for a project; something that cannot be obtained using quartz. The table below compares the properties of marble with quartz.

Marble vs. Sintered Stone

Sintered stone, when compared with natural marble, reveals that these two materials are very different. Marble being a delicate and elegant natural stone that has existed for millennia and sintered stone arriving on the scene only relatively recently.

Even though sintered stone is not as well established as natural marble that does not mean that it under-performs. Sintered stone is used in many applications across various industries. Flooring, wall panels, building facades and even countertops and work surfaces have been fashioned out of sintered stone.

Yet, even though sintered stone is a durable, lightweight and attractive material, marble's majestic past is what some consumers prefer. The following comparison table shows how these materials size up to one another.

Marble vs. Quartzite

This match up is an interesting one indeed. Marble and quartzite are similar in a number of ways. And yet, these materials are very, very different.

Some quartzites resemble marble so closely that within the stone fabrication industry people have found marble slabs being marked as quartzite. However, just because two materials look the same it doesn't mean that they are the same. Looking in the comparison data below, marble and quartzite are identical in all facets except 2. First, they differ in hardness. Second, they are composed of two different materials.

Marble vs. Limestone

You will no doubt notice right away that the comparison table below reveals these two materials to be nearly the same thing. That is because the natural stone marble is the result of limestone undergoing metamorphosis.

Intense heat and pressure act on natural limestone so heavily that the grains of the material get squeezed together. This process crystallizes the grains into interlocking calcite crystals. So, as the table below reflects, limestone and marble are actually the same ingredients in two different forms.

Marble vs. Porcelain

Porcelain is a man made material that offers the durability associated with being scratch and heat resistance. These features have made it a relatively new solution for kitchen countertops. Flooring and other applications for porcelain have been around longer.

In comparison to porcelain, marble has been around as an architectural material for a much longer time. Projects that are millennia old were constructed from it. Additionally, statues and other structures were formed using marble. Marble's ability to be worked makes it the choice for some projects that simply would not be possible for porcelain.

Marble vs. Travertine

Simply put, marble is made up of the same main ingredient as marble and limestone. However, because of the difference in the way travertine forms, it comes out looking very different from marble. Marble and travertine are cared for in much the same way and each have distinct visual traits.

Marbles appearance features little crystals that are locked in place. These crystals are what give natural marble its luster. Travertine on the other hand, in its raw form does not have that shiny appearance. The surface can be treated and polished to have a shiny appearance.

Travertine's distinctive characteristic is the voids that are ubiquitously dispersed throughout the stone. These voids are caused by air pockets that existed during the stone's formation. Usually, by the time the stone is incorporated into a project, these "pits" have been filled in using a travertine filler.

Marble vs. Concrete

Man made concrete and natural marble are two materials commonly seen in architecture. It might not seem practical to compare marble with concrete since they are so different in appearance. However, if you have ever seen a staircase made from marble (the U.S. Supreme Court has marble staircases), you realize that a comparison is a practical exercise.

Although marble is a "soft" stone, it is still a stone. So when prepared and maintained properly, natural marble is used for all sorts of purposes. Concrete too, although it is not a natural stone but a man made material, is also a versatile material. Marble often time proves to be a material that projects elegance whereas concrete conveys a rugged and durable character.

Think about the fact that statues are fashioned from both of these materials. Now, imagine how a statue would be made from each material. The concrete statue would be made using a mold. On the other hand, the marble statue would be sculpted. This is the essence of how these materials compare.

Quartz

Quartz, also known as "engineered quartz" or "engineered stone" is a man made material. Quartz serves as a material used for countertop surfaces, wall panels, and flooring that is non-porous and therefore does not need to be sealed like natural stone materials. Thus, this man made material is an appealing option for consumers that do not want to spend time on periodically resealing a surface to protect it from stain causing liquids getting into the pores of the material. Quartz can get stains and discolorations. However, stains on engineered stone surfaces remain on the surface and do not get into the pores of the material.

Quartz vs. Sintered Stone

Quartz is a material that has made its way into the realm of leading materials used for countertops, flooring, and wall panels. One of the appealing traits of this material is that it is non-porous and does not need to be sealed. It also is relatively easy to clean and take care of.

Sintered stone has also recently begun to make its way into the realm of countertops. Like engineered quartz, sintered stone is non-porous and easy to clean and care for in a household environment. In addition to being used as a kitchen countertop material, sintered stone is also used for building facades, flooring, and wall panels.

As you can see from the above information, quartz and sintered stone have some common traits that allow them to be used in similar ways. Yet, they are not the same material. There are differences in the way these materials are made that distinguish them from one another. One big difference is the composition. Engineered quartz is composed of quartz material and resin binders whereas sintered stone is composed of raw materials and contains no resin binders. The resin in the quartz material affects the performance and behavior of the slab.

Quartz vs. Quartzite

Natural quartz is a substance that is found in a number of stone materials. It is the overwhelmingly biggest ingredient of quartzite. Quartzite is a natural stone that forms when sandstone undergoes the metamorphic process. Engineered quartz is composed of 90% (by weight) quartz material.

Even though these materials are composed of a common material, it does not mean that they are the same. Quartz slabs are non-porous and natural quartzite has pores. This means that among other differences, quartz and quartzite have different sealing requirements. SImply put, a new quartz slab needs no sealer and natural quartzite does. This is merely one difference between these materials; there are others as well.

Quartz vs. Limestone

Natural limestone, like many other natural stone types, is different from engineered quartz in a number of ways. For one thing, it is porous and must be sealed to prevent staining. Limestone also differs form engineered quartz and some natural stone in that, it is usually not as glossy or shiny as other materials that can be polished.

Because natural limestone is not as glossy as engineered quartz, it is at times used for the decking of the area around swimming pools and other water related features that are found in home environments. However, it is less likely to be used as the material for a countertop like quartz is.

Quartz vs. Porcelain

Engineered quartz and porcelain offer similar benefits as far as kitchen countertops go. Each has a surface that needs no sealing and both materials are offered by multiple manufacturers. The color selection is also significant (although neither can match natural stone in uniqueness) since a multitude of colors can be formulated intentionally.

Both porcelain and engineered quartz are used for flooring, wall cladding, and other surfaces. Quartz countertops have been around for a bit longer, but porcelain countertops are growing in popularity.

Quartz vs. Travertine

The comparison of engineered quartz with travertine yields results similar to that of the quartz and limestone comparison. The quartz material is much glossier than is travertine. And while travertine can be treated and/or finished to a polish like limestone can, engineered quartz can hold a polish better because of its composition.

Travertine differs from other materials, including engineered quartz, in that it forms with very noticeable pits (holes or voids) in the material. When the slab is cut or a tile is made from travertine that has not been processed, these holes are all over the surface of the tile or slab. Often times, some kind of filler is used to strengthen the material and remove these pits.

Quartz vs. Concrete

These two materials look very different in appearance. However, they are produced in similar ways. Perhaps the fact that each is a man made material is what makes them so different. Both engineered quartz and concrete countertops are a mixture of material that is molded into a shape and then finished to become a design material.

Concrete countertops for example, are mixed according to the professional's (and/or designer's) liking and then the surface is treated and finished. It is then installed in the home or other final location. Because of the nature of this process, you can see how there is much flexibility in how the final product turns out.

Engineered quartz is made in a way similar to the process of making concrete countertops that we just outlined. However, engineered quartz slabs are made in manufacturing facilities according to predetermined standards. This means that even though there are a number of colors, patterns, and options, the customization potential is limited when compared to those of concrete.

Sintered Stone

In some ways sintered stone is like quartz and porcelain. In other ways though, it is much different. One parallel that exists between sintered stone and the other materials mentioned is that all of them are man made. Yet even though sintered stone is man made, it contains no binder like quartz does. The raw material used for manufacturing sintered stone also differentiates it from other man made materials such as porcelain. Sintered stone and porcelain vary in how they are made and the end results reveal the difference. Below you will find a quick reference table for sintered stone:

Sintered Stone vs. Quartzite

As two very hard and durable materials, sintered stone and quartzite are among the hardest materials used for countertops. Both wear well and the fabrication tools that are necessary for working with each must be able to cut very hard materials.

Being a natural stone, quartzite requires sealing periodically. Yet it also affords the consumer a guaranteed unique surface since it is not a manufactured material. Quartzite is is very heat resistant since it is solid rock.

Sintered stone, like quartzite is very heat resistant and is durable. It differs though from quartzite in that it is not completely unique. In fact, each man made material that is used for countertops and even other surfaces will have this limitation for the most part. Another way in which sintered stone differs from natural quartzite is that it does not require sealing since it is non-porous.

Sintered Stone vs. Limestone

Limestone when compared to sintered stone may seem to be a non-advantageous choice. However, that is far from the truth. Each material has benefits and caveats and both sintered stone and limestone are no different.

The pluses for sintered stone are that it is very hard and is not scratched easily. It is also non porous so it does not absorb liquids that could stain or alter the appearance of the stone. Sintered stone's heat resistance makes it a great choice for many applications. In fact, scratch resistance, heat resistance, and non-porosity have made sintered stone more popular in the area of countertop surfaces.

On the other hand, limestone also shines when used in a specific manner or in certain environments. For example, there are times when the hardness of a material is a challenge. So, just because a trait is a benefit in one application does not mean that it is a benefit all the time. For example, limestone is a softer material than sintered stone. So, when it is being cut, it does not require the sam tools that sintered stone does. This is just one property that can become either a benefit or a drawback. But the principle applies to any characteristic of a given material.

Sintered Stone vs. Porcelain

Sintered stone and porcelain are two materials that are very similar. The manufacturing process is similar, the composition is similar, and the material ends up being similar as well. However, similar does not mean the same when it comes to countertop materials and other interior and exterior surface materials. In many cases the use and care of each material is the same. However, we encourage you to work with professionals to ensure your material choice is the best for your specific project.

Sintered Stone vs. Travertine

Sintered stone aligns well with a number of applications. And the color selections that are available are numerous. There are many uses for sintered stone and the manufacturers of these materials also create them to look like various natural stone materials. Yet, a search online for sintered stone that looks like travertine yields no significant results at the time of this writing.

There are some clear benefits to travertine that are not realized with sintered stone. The look is unique as we have mentioned above. However there are also practical reasons why someone would want to use travertine. One application that travertine might excel in is pool decking. Since travertine is porous, the water from the pool would be absorbed by the travertine. On the other hand, a sintered stone pool deck would not absorb the water since the material is non-porous.

So even though travertine is not the best material for every use, it certainly makes sense for some specific use cases. One great example of a use case where sintered stone would most likely beat out travertine is for use as a kitchen countertop. Sintered stone is heat and scratch resistant. Travertine on the other hand, is a "soft" stone that can be scratched much easier than sintered stone. Additionally, travertine is absorbent and is subject to etching by acidic household liquids. This means that it would probably not hold up as well to the normal wear and tear of a kitchen counter.

Sintered Stone vs. Concrete

Comparing sintered stone and concrete, one might be tempted to automatically pick one material over the other before giving due consideration to various aspects of each material. For example, the size, thickness, and weight that the project would allow could make a difference in which material a person might select. Yet, in some very specific use cases it may become tougher to decide between concrete and sintered stone.

For the sake of our comparison here, we will consider one use case; kitchen countertops. Either material can be used for a countertop surface. Both materials are durable and hold up well under normal household use. However, each has benefits that could make a difference. Sintered stone is a non-absorbent material that is easy to clean since nothing gets into the pores of the material. On the other hand, concrete is way more customizable. This means that virtually any design could be created using concrete.

Quartzite

Natural quartzite is a material that can be somewhat confusing if you haven't become familiar with it. This stone is a natural material that is composed of entirely (or nearly entirely) of quartz. Due to the way that quartzite is formed it is extremely hard and requires appropriate equipment and tools to work with it. Before being transformed into quartzite by tremendous pressure and heat, this material was sandstone. Therefore it has a high amount of silica. Another thing to note about quartzite is that it resembles marble in its appearance. Unlike marble though, true quartzite contains no calcium carbonate whereas marble is nearly all calcium carbonate.

Quartzite vs. Limestone

Both quartzite and limestone are natural stone materials with distinct traits. Quartzite is hard and dramatically varies in color. Limestone is a softer rock and while it does have color variations, they are more gradual and subtle than are the color changes in some quartzite slabs.

Quartzite is one of the materials used to make kitchen countertops. Its hardness and beauty contribute to designs that are unique and fascinating. Unique kitchens all over the world are built around quartzite countertops.

Limestone is also used for countertops. However it is much more delicate in that capacity. Limestone shines in other applications. One area that you may have seen limestone and that it really performs well is in outdoor water rich environments like pools.

Quartzite vs. Porcelain

Two very strong, durable, and versatile materials. One is a natural stone (quartzite) and the one is a man made material (porcelain). Both have benefits and are used in various applications.

Quartzite is a hard natural stone that is used for many things that you might not think of. Quartzite is found as material for buildings, landscaping, walls, fireplace surrounds, vanities, flooring, cladding, and countertops.

Porcelain too is used for many applications. Wall panels, floor tiles, and fireplace surrounds. More recently porcelain has been used as a material for countertops.

Each of these materials wears well and is scratch resistant. They both resist heat and are complimentary of a diverse set of design styles.

Quartzite vs. Travertine

Travertine when compared with quartzite has some common traits. For example, each of them fall into the natural stone class. Quartzite is nearly all quartz and travertine is mostly calcium carbonate. However, quartzite and travertine differ when it comes to appearance and application.

Quartzite is used in applications where durability is necessary. Because quartzite has a hardness of 7 and it is heat and scratch resistant, it is used as a countertop material. The uniqueness of each quartzite slab is appealing to designers and the durability of this material makes it a great fit.

Natural travertine though, looks very distinct in comparison to other materials. You could say that travertine's look is what makes it popular with some. It is often used as an accent material for back splashes in kitchens. It also makes great flooring, patios, and pool decking.

Quartzite vs. Concrete

If you were to make a list of the hardest materials used for countertops, both quartzite and concrete would no doubt be on that list. Each of these materials brings the hardness factor to the table when examining appealing traits.

Since concrete is a man made material, it can be formulated to have a hardness that varies from 4 - 7, depending on how it is mixed. Additionally, since this material can be formed, it allows for a variety of shapes and designs.

Because quartzite offers a visual appearance that resembles marble in some cases, it is quickly becoming a popular choice for kitchen countertops. And since each slab is completely unique, the variety of this material is virtually limitless.

Limestone

Like other natural stone materials such as marble and travertine, limestone is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. There are specifics though that differentiate other calcareous stones from limestone. Limestones is used in a variety of ways. Pool decks, wall tiles, flooring, and building facades are all applications of limestone. Some limestone resembles travertine although true travertine forms in a very specific manner. The table below provides a quick glance at some of the properties of natural limestone:

Limestone vs. Porcelain

These two materials stand in stark contrast from one another. A man made material (porcelain) and a natural one (limestone). Comparing the two materials is most easily done in the area of flooring.

Porcelain is a very durable material. Measuring a 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, this material is commonly used for flooring in all sort of environments. It is scratch resistant, heat resistant, and available in a variety of colors.

Limestone stands as a contrast to porcelain in many ways. For example, it is a relatively "soft" material, as far as stones go. Yet, it is hard enough to use for a walking surface. It is available in less of a color palette. Limestone is absorbent by nature and when used as a surface that often gets wet, it absorbs the water and is non-slip. This makes it a great material for outdoor walking surfaces. Pool decking is one example of a surface for which limestone is a good fit.

Limestone vs. Travertine

For some, the though of comparing limestone with travertine might sound like an exercise in futility. Yet, they are two different materials. Looking at the comparison table below reveals that these materials are nearly identical. However, travertine is a particular kind of limestone.

Both materials have the same composition. However, travertine is a limestone that forms in a particular environment. Travertine is a variety of limestone that forms where geothermally heated water that is alkaline emerges at the surface. This water contains dissolved minerals and gases. This environment leads to precipitation of calcium carbonate and other minerals as the water degases. Because of the formation process, travertine develops the characteristic porous look that it is known for.

Since these natural materials are composed of the same substances, they are often used for the same applications. Although, travertine's distinct look, makes it stand out so it is used for rustic design applications.

Limestone vs. Concrete

Both of these materials are used for walking surfaces in outdoor settings. One being a natural material and the other a man made product. Both require treatment and benefit from maintenance. Yet, each is conducive to particular applications.

Limestone is often cut into tiles that are used in a number of ways outdoors. Limestone pool decking, patios, and floors for outdoor kitchens. The absorbency of limestone means it servers as a non-slip walking surface, which is handy when the surface is outdoors.

Mentioning concrete might conjure thoughts of sidewalks and driveways outside. Concrete is a versatile material that has made its way into various applications and it is even used as a material for kitchen countertops.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a durable, sintered, man made material that is used for many applications including flooring, wall panels, cladding, and even countertops. Its resilience as a hard surface makes it heat resistant, scratch resistant, and easy to clean with a variety of products. Porcelain is a material that has been around a long time. And, like all other materials has pros and cons. The following table gives a basic overview of the properties of porcelain.

Porcelain vs. Travertine

When comparing porcelain to travertine, you get a result that reveals two materials diverse in appearance. Travertine could be seen as being used for very specialized applications. Porcelain on the other hand is being used in new applications all the time.

Travertine's natural beauty offers a distinct, rustic look that works extremely well for flooring, outdoor walking surfaces and back splashes.

Porcelain has long been used for various applications. Everything from flooring to wall tiles. More recently though, porcelain has been used for countertops and building facades.

Depending on what your project requires, one of these materials might be what you are looking for in a surface material.

Porcelain vs. Concrete

Two materials that are used in so many of the commercial and public architectural projects seen by us each day are porcelain and concrete. These man made materials permeate the structural landscape. But how do they compare?

Porcelain is a versatile, thin material that is scratch resistant and heat resistant. This material is used in numerous ways in multiple environments. Indoors and out, porcelain tiles, cladding, and panels can be found in many design projects. It is even being used as a countertop material.

Concrete too is a versatile material that is man made. And it too can be formed into tiles. Concrete can be pre-formed as it is in pavers. It can also be poured into molds. Finally, concrete can be stamped using equipment that creates a pattern on the surface.

Like porcelain, concrete is scratch and heat resistant. And concrete is versatile as well. Since there are various mixes, this material can be made to achieve a hardness of 4 - 7.

Travertine

Travertine is a very unique looking natural stone that is unmistakable once you have seen it. The naturally occurring holes that form in the stone leave a recognizable mark on the finished product. Travertine is a great material for use in rustic designs. The holes that are naturally in the material are usually filled during processing and can be filled using colored or transparent fillers.

Travertine vs. Concrete

Concrete and travertine are two materials that you may not think of as being in competition with one another. And yet, both of these materials are used for outdoor walking surfaces. Travertine, being a natural stone, offers some benefits and features. However, concrete also has some benefits that it brings to the table. To highlight the comparison of these materials, we will look at both in the context of pool decking.

Concrete pavers or tiles serve very well as pool decking. The material is porous so water doesn't stand on the surface which would present a slip hazard for those walking or playing around the pool. It is scratch resistant and heat resistant.

Travertine tiles bring similar benefits as well. Travertine though has a distinctive, elegant look that it brings to the scene. Travertine, with its unique porosity can be installed unfilled or filled. It is usually filled but does not have to be. And while concrete (4 - 7 Mohs hardness) is harder than travertine (3 Mohs hardness) it depends on the mix.

Concrete

Concrete, although man made is a material that is very versatile and durable. The material can be formed, molded, and shaped into a variety of features. It can be stained, dyed, and colored. Indoor and outdoor applications are achievable and it can be cleaned using a variety of products. Below is the quick glance table for concrete:

What Material to Choose

Which material you decide on will be determined by a number of factors. Will the surface be indoors or out? Will there be a variety of substances on the surface, or will it just be one or two? The answers to these and other questions will point you in the right direction when it comes to selecting the material for your project.

Conclusion

As we have seen, there are a significant amount of materials that are used for surfaces inside and outside the home or business. In fact, many interiors will have more than one of these materials. The idea is to be educated on what the differences are and how it affects the decisions you make regarding each material.