Design: Collective Designs
Marble is a natural material quarried from the earth, so there are definitely environmental costs in the process of doing so. Being porous, more effort is also needed to maintain the material, such as applying a sealant annually. That might make marble not as “green” as other surfacing materials, such as ceramic tiles. Tiles might be hardier, but large amounts of energy are also required to produce them. If you’re going with tiles, choose those which have recycled content.
Also consider the end life of the product. Marble, being natural, can be recycled, which you might not be able to do with tiles. To replicate the look of marble, consider using laminates, engineered quartz, or marble-lookalike tiles.
Laminates are suitable for both vertical and horizontal applications, but they are not scratch-proof or recyclable. Tiles are not advisable for use on countertops, while engineered quartz such as Silestone and Caesarstone can be used for walls or countertops. Made of natural quartz with pigments and polymer resins, engineered quartz is extremely hard and resilient, has antibacterial qualities, and stands up to stains, scratches and acids. Their durability is also what makes them sustainable, too.