Replies

1. 
   Danno | Jun 27, 2006 07:47pm | #1

   Granite is harder--more scratch resistant--and less affected by acids.

2. 
   FastEddie | Jun 27, 2006 09:15pm | #2

   Nothing is prettier than classic white Italian marble.  But it is soft and vunerable to acids, like lemon juice.  But for a residence, as opposed to a public space, I bet it will last longer than any of us.

    

    

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   frenchy | Jun 28, 2006 03:08am | #3

   FastEddie,

        The trouble is little italian marble shows up anymore, it pretty well has been replaced by chineese marble

1. 
   wrudiger | Jun 28, 2006 03:56am | #4

   "The trouble is little italian marble shows up anymore, it pretty well has been replaced by chineese marble"

   Is that a bad thing?  Is it softer, more cracks, ...??  Or is it a general thing about all things Chinese?  I honestly don't know and am curious.

1. 
   frenchy | Jun 30, 2006 05:03am | #7

   wrudiger

      In my humble opinion, the differances between Italian marble and Chineese marble is night and day..  The whole grain structure in Chineese marble is far more coarse, Chinese marble simply doesn't have that soft warm feeling that fine Italian marble does and other than both being marble and both being white  the differance is far too great.   One is diserable and one is,..... well white marble..

     I have some of each and unfortunately don't have enough Italian marble to do the job I want to and I refuse to use the Chinese marble that was substituted by the dealer (since out of business)

    

    As far as any prejudice about Chineese I admit to some..  I think most Chineese I've met are decent and hardworking.  Great family values and a really keen sense of competition.  While some may be overly aggressive and a bit cold they are decidedly a minority.   (or that coldness could simply be my lack of understanding of their culture) 

    I've met only a handfull of Italians, that is Italians from Italy and not Americans of Italian decent.  Far too few to form any real judgment or opinion.. Friends who have spent time in Italy report the Italians as wonderfuly warm and exciting people..

     There,  as honest as I can be about the subject.. One final cavot.. I have not seen all Marble from Italy or all marble from China. What I have seen is clearly identified as either Chineese or Italian.   I most certainly am willing to revise my opinion 

1. 
   wrudiger | Jun 30, 2006 07:13am | #9

   Frenchy,

   Thanks for the reply. I haven't spent any time looking at marble so was genuinely intetested in the difference.  I didn't really mean to imply a prejudice based on country of origin, though there is a lot of (sometimes appropriate) dissing of Chinese goods due to quality concerns.  I just couldn't figure out how that could apply to rock - LOL!

   Wayne

   p.s. my favorite granites are from India and Brazil, FWIW...

2. 
   junkhound | Jul 01, 2006 01:02pm | #10

   Why not try terrazo using both Italian and PRC marble, plus various other countries stocks and granite from all over also.

   In 10 years you can do a mirco scan of the surface and tell us which has held up best. 

3. 
   Danno | Jul 01, 2006 04:21pm | #12

   plus various other countries stocks and granite from all over also.

   Then he wouldhave an all-inclusive, culturally diverse floor! (Though, it would not be a cultured marble floor.)

4. 
   wrudiger | Jul 01, 2006 06:43pm | #13

   I wasn't the OP.  I actually have terrazo, circa 1965, and it's holding up just fine, thanks!  Personally I'm not a big fan of the look, but DW and my interior designer sister both swear it's perfect and very "in" so I'm defering on this one - LOL!

3. 
   WayneL5 | Jun 28, 2006 04:38am | #5

   I don't know your climate or home style, but both stones can be very slippery when wet.  If you use it daily then you may wish to avoid a polished surface and put down rubber backed throw rugs.  If it is for show only then polished is ok, but be careful with guests in wet weather.

1. 
   FastEddie | Jun 28, 2006 05:10am | #6

   Put in some carrera white marble with a non=polished finish, and it will look 100 years old.

     

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

4. 
   UncleDunc | Jun 30, 2006 05:14am | #8

   Most marbles (that I've seen) aren't very dramatic. You can get some spectacular varieties of granite. Blue Pearl, for instance, is fabulous, way flashier than this picture shows.

   http://www.stone-network.com/norway/granite/blue_pearl.html

   
   

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   Edited 6/30/2006 9:28 am by UncleDunc

5. 
   andybuildz | Jul 01, 2006 01:57pm | #11

   I got wood : )~

   If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!

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