When shopping for a new dining room table, it is important to know your options. You need to understand the differences between the materials available and what makes the most sense for your home and your lifestyle.

Two of the most commonly purchased materials when it comes to shopping for dining room table tops are ceramic and marble. We’ve put together a guide which breaks down each material so that you can understand the differences to help inform your purchasing decision.

And once you are ready to purchase a new dining  table, come by our showroom to see the materials in person and view our selection of each. 

Ceramic is an artificial, manmade material. It is composed of clay, mixed with other inorganic materials in order to give the appearance of marble. It is dried and glazed to form a finished surface that is completely sealed. Marble, on the other hand, is a natural material that is mined all over the world. Different areas of the world will produce different looking marble. Natural marble is a porous surface.

Functionality
Both ceramic and marble are very strong, sturdy materials which make them great options when it comes to choosing a dining room table. Both materials are also very durable. They are resistant to spills, cutting or scratching, heat, etc. – which is very important if your dining room is going to be a high traffic room in the home.

Maintenance and Cleaning
Ceramic is a worry-free material. Because the top of the dining table is sealed during the manufacturing process, it can withstand heat and sharp cuts. Marble table tops take a bit more care and maintenance. Marble is a softer material and very porous, it needs to be dusted and cleaned periodically, but if done properly, it can last you a lifetime. Simply clean it with a bit of warm water or a specialty marble cleaner and buff dry with a clean cloth.

Price
Because marble is very thick, and a natural stone material, the price can be significantly higher than ceramic.

Weight
Marble is very heavy, which is something to consider if you plan on moving your dining room table around your house for different occasions, or if you are currently renting your home or plan on moving frequently. Ceramic is a lighter material and can be used as part of an extendible table. If you are looking for more flexibility with your dining table in terms of size for holidays or other special occasions, ceramic might be the better option for you.

Design Considerations
Ceramic dining table tops can be very thin, approximately ¼” of an inch. However, marble table tops will be substantially thicker. Visually, ceramic table tops are more predictable. Because marble is a natural material, marble table tops will have much more variation. Beauty is at the top of the list when it comes to the advantages of marble vs. ceramic. Nothing can quite compare to a marble table top, and every marble table has its own unique look.