While the stones might seem similar, there are many limestone and marble differences.
Three of the most popular materials for remodeling are granite, marble, and limestone. While the stones might seem similar, there are many limestone and marble differences. Here is the lowdown on these two popular building materials and the things that make them beautifully different.
Where Do They Come From?
One of the biggest limestone and marble differences lies in their origins. Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that forms when sand, fossils, and shells become hard and solid over millions (that’s right, millions) of years. If limestone is exposed to the extreme levels of heat and pressure below the earth’s surface, it can turn into marble. Marble is a metamorphic rock that gradually gets harder over time. The unique shades of marble that occur naturally are as a result of mineral deposits below the surface. So now that we know where they come from, let’s talk about what they look like.
What Do They Look Like?
Another one of the limestone and marble differences is their physical appearance. They are very easy to tell apart with a simple glance. Limestone is found in a variety of natural shades like gray, tan, and brown. Marble, on the other hand, is available in a huge range of colors. Marble can be found in white, black, pink, tan, gray, red, blue, and even green. Marble has unique veining and deposits of color throughout it thanks to all of the minerals.
How Hard Are They?
Marble, thanks to the extra pressure it receives below the earth’s surface, is slightly harder and denser than limestone. However, both are relatively soft in the world of stones. The Mohs scale is used to rank how hard stones are. Limestone is usually a 3 on the Mohs scale. Marble typically is a 3 or 4 on the Mohs scale. For reference, talc is typically a 1, granite is typically an 8 or 9, and diamonds are a perfect 10.
Commercial Masonry Contracting from Del Prete Masonry
If you are ready to upgrade your home with beautiful limestone or marble, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our residential and commercial services and set up a consultation, please give us a call at 410-683-0650 or contact us online. We currently serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and get more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.