Clients almost always ask the same question at the spec stage — “should we do real marble or porcelain?” There’s no universal right answer; the trade-offs are substantial in both directions. Here’s how we help clients decide.
Cost
Porcelain slab in a convincing marble print: £60–£120 per m² supply. Real Carrara marble slab: £180–£350 per m². On a 25 m² bathroom you’re looking at a £3,000–£6,000 material delta before fixing.
Maintenance
Porcelain is effectively maintenance-free. Wipe and go. Marble is porous, stainable (red wine, turmeric, olive oil all etch it), and needs sealing on install and every 18–24 months thereafter. If the client cooks with turmeric, they don’t want marble kitchen splashbacks.
The Look Under Low Light
London winters are long and the light is flat. Real stone reflects and refracts with depth — it looks different at 9am versus 4pm. Porcelain’s print is static — it reads the same in every light. That depth is the single biggest argument for real stone.
Longevity
Both materials will outlive the room. Marble acquires patina and character; porcelain doesn’t change. Which one you prefer is a taste question, not a technical one.
Our Default Specification
For floors, porcelain wins almost every time — the maintenance premium isn’t justifiable. For walls and worktops, we spec real stone on projects where the client actively wants it and is prepared for the upkeep. The middle ground — porcelain floor, marble wall or vanity top — is the most popular in our Chelsea and Kensington projects.
