Slate Vs. Marble: Which Should You Choose for Your Interior Design Project?

Are you thinking about installing a new accent wall or wet bar in your home, or perhaps a new kitchen or bathroom backsplash? If your current finishes are old and dated, or if they aren’t holding up as they should, then it might be time to start thinking about what material is right for you going forward.

Natural stone is perennially popular due to its dynamic good looks and durability. The good news is, thanks to MACA, it's more achievable than ever before, regardless of budget. The options MACA offers are dynamic and plentiful, too. Marble and slate are two of the most popular choices for indoor stone - be it for a backsplash, fireplace surround, accent wall or even flooring.

In this article, let's examine the distinct differences between marble and slate, and determine which is best for your use case. Both materials, while beautiful and highly durable in their own way, are remarkably different in many aspects.

Slate is suave and very handsome. The subtle shifting in coloration is less bold than in marble, but this also makes it easier to produce slate for your home that have a more uniform, linear appearance. Lovely shades of charcoal, gray, pewter, brown and even those with highlights of green, blue or red can be found. While the veining in slate slabs is not as distinct as you find in granite or marble, each product is still inherently unique.

Unlike marble, slate is non-porous, meaning it cleans up very easily. It won’t absorb liquids, so there won’t be staining from juices, oils or other liquids, since they cannot penetrate the surface.

The hardness and durability of slate is also very appealing in any indoor situation. It won’t easily chip or scratch, and it stands up very well to heat. And while slate is more stylistically subdued than marble, if you’re already using a lot of color in your decor, you might prefer walls or floors that complement rather than grab the spotlight. In that case, slate is the obvious choice.

It's hard for any other stone to rival the look of MACA's marble products in a home. There’s a richness and a character to the stone that others just cannot touch, particularly in the lustrous veining that defines this collection.

By far the biggest reason why people desire a natural marble backsplash or wall covering is its luxurious look and texture. Marble is a stone associated with sophistication, elegance, and timelessness. It adds an ethereal quality to any room, it makes a stunning contrast to dark cabinets and even pairs well with a contemporary, all-white kitchen. In short, marble can suit any design from timeless tradition to ultra-modernity. 

While still highly durable, marble is little softer than slate, which makes it slightly more delicate. It also tends to reflect and absorb light in a “warmer” way. A sunny, light-filled kitchen in a country house, for instance, might be an ideal place for a marble backsplash. Because marble is porous and often lighter in color than slate, it can require more care when it comes to splashing liquids and grease.

Remember, there is no "wrong" choice when it comes to deciding between slate and marble for your home - which one you select really comes down to your own personal style and what qualities you seek in a product. But the beauty of both marble and slate, and any of MACA's natural stone products, is that they will provide a design look that is all your own. We like to say that imperfection is perfection -- inherent in every natural stone is an element of variation, even within two slabs of the same color. The veins, colors, and patterns will play out uniquely in your space, and the durability ensures the timeless look you create will last for many years to come.