Luxurious, timeless, elegant and royal- these are a few words that come to mind when you think of marble. When it comes to making your homes extra special, marble is the first choice of most homeowners. There is nothing quite like marble. But this may be a question that may cross most minds. Which is better- Italian marble or Indian marble? With this comprehensive table of difference, you will not only be able to know the difference, but you will also be able to make a choice for yourself.
| ITALIAN MARBLE | INDIAN MARBLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength and Durability | Speaking of strength, Italian marble may not succeed in standing the test of time as it is more brittle and soft compared to Indian marble. It may require additional backing from a nylon sheet or epoxy resins and glueing of hard stone on the edges for it to be strong. | Indian marble is stronger than Italian marble due to its hardness and weight. It can endure heavy load without any backing or reinforcements, making it long lasting and durable. |
| Source of Origin | Italian marble is quarried from Northern Italy, as the name suggests. | Indian marble is quarried from the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh of India. |
| Lustre | Italian marble comes with very high lustre as it has a glossy surface. | Indian marble is not as lustrous as Italian marble. Its formation is such that it has medium lustre that does not shine that much. |
| Softness | Italian marble is softer compared to Indian marble, hence it is susceptible to chipping and cracking with overuse. | Indian marble is hard in nature, thus making it less susceptible to breakage and damage. |
| Types | The most renowned types of Italian marble are Statuario, Golden Botticino, Carrara, Nero Marquina, Perlato, Sicilia, Rossa Verona and Crema Marfil. | Makrana, Onyx, Ambaji, Indian Statuario, Jodhpur pink are some of the most famous types of Indian marble. |
| Application | Although a lot of homes use Italian marble for their flooring, they are also used for walls, decorative purposes such as backsplashes, decor, due to their delicate nature. | Indian marble is widely used for flooring, walls and countertops because of their strength. |
| Cost | Italian marble costs anywhere between INR 350- INR 2500 per square feet depending upon the variant. | Indian marble costs anywhere between INR 80- INR 3000 per square feet, again depending upon the variant. |
| Thickness | The thickness of Italian marble is usually about 15-20mm. | The thickness of Indian marble is usually about 18-20mm. |
| Laying | Italian marble requires experienced craftsmen who are professionals and have the experience of laying Italian marble in specific. | Indian marble is not that difficult to lay and install, thus it does not require high end craftsmen for the job. |
| Labour costs | Because of its meticulous laying, the professionals have high labour costs to install Italian marble. | The cost to install Indian marble is not high as compared to Italian marble. |
| Environmental concerns | Italian marble requires strengthening using nylon backing and treatment with epoxy resins, both of which are toxic chemicals that are harmful for the environment. | Indian marble does not need any treatments apart from the regular cutting and polishing, thus they are far more environment friendly compared to Italian marble. |
| Colours | Italian marble comes in shades of white, grey, blue-grey, rose green, quartz, to name a few. | Indian marble comes in shades of white, grey, beige, green, red, black to name a few. |
