Marble and Granite
Finalising floors for an aesthetic look is the most important part of finishing. Marble is very commonly and widely used material for this purpose however recently it is being replaced by ceramic and porcelain tiles, but still many people prefer marble floorings because of its durability and economical availability. Marble comes in different varieties with different names and is extracted from mountains and large stone sites also called quarries. Granite also belongs to the same family however it is extracted from different stones and is more durable as compared to marble. It is much more expensive as compared to marble due to which it is mostly used for stair or kitchen slabs and rarely used for flooring purposes. Prices of both marbles and granites vary from very cheap to very expensive. In case of marbles and granite, their prices do not define the quality and durability. Some marbles and granites that are cheaper have more durability as compare to expensive ones. Some marbles or granites are expensive due to the reason that the quarries from which they are extracted are very rare, or they have a very rare pattern or color, or they are not locally available and imported from other countries.
Some of the marbles commonly used for flooring in Pakistan are:
Badal Grey
A very common and economical variety of marble that is used in low-cost projects. However it is very durable and locally extracted in Pakistan. It is available in different shades with combinations of grey white and black patterns.
Price Range Rs 48/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 210/ft2 for slab
Sunny Grey
Another common variety of marble that is also economical but a little expensive as compared to badal grey. This marble is also locally extracted in Pakistan.
Price Range Rs 48/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 210/ft2 for slab
Oceanic Grey
Also know as “Emperador” in local market, other than flooring it is mostly used as stone & mosaic on walls, wall panels, waterfalls etc. It falls under the category of midrange marbles and is used both in economical as well as luxury houses.
Price Range Rs 45/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 270/ft2 for slab
Sunny White
Belongs to the same family as that of sunny grey, however only difference is what the name suggests, it’s color. Both sunny grey and sunny white have same grains and crystals.
Price Range Rs 58/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 320/ft2 for slab
Tavera
Another inexpensive marble used for both floorings and windowsills. This stone is locally extracted in Pakistan and has very good durability.
Price Range Rs 65/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 250/ft2 for slab
Ziarat White
A very fine and expensive variety of marble that is locally extracted in Pakistan. It can be categorised as a premium marble that has pure white background with random black patterns.
Price Range Rs 95-350/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 700-1500/ft2 for slab
Black & Gold
Marble with a very ornamental and graceful finish that is mostly used as counter tops, stair slabs or to provide decorative patterns within other plain marble flooring. It has a natural durability defect and can crack in pieces during grinding or during installation.
Price Range Rs 105/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 330/ft2 for slab
Boticina Fancy
One of the most widely used marbles for flooring and slabs is fancy boticina that is also know as boticina cream marble. It comes in a quite a few beige shades and is locally extracted in Pakistan. It is not an expensive marble and is used in low-cost projects.
Price Range Rs 95/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 550/ft2 for slab
Verona Marble
It is beige colored very fine variety of marble that is extracted in Pakistan and imported from China as well and known as “China verona” in local market. It is neither cheap nor too expensive but it’s available in quite a few qualities that are indicated by number of crystals in it. Fewer the crystals, better the quality and more the price.
Price Range Rs 85-120/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 500/ft2 for slab
Royal Cream
It is beige colored very fine variety of marble that is extracted in Pakistan and imported from Turkey as well and known as “Royal cream” in local market. It is expensive marble as compared to taveera & china verona hence mostly used for stair slabs only instead of flooring. It’s available in quite a few qualities that are indicated by number of crystals in it. Fewer the crystals, better the quality and more the price.
Price Range Rs 250/ft2 for Flooring
Price Range Rs 450/ft2 for slab
Jet Black Granite
As its name suggests, it is pure black granite with very few whitish crystals in it. It is granite that is commonly available at economical prices all over Pakistan. It is available in both local and imported variety with the name of Pakistani Jet black, Indian black and China black.
Price Range Rs 580-600/ft2 for slab
Snow white Granite
A very common granite that is very commonly and widely used for stair and counter slabs. It is artificial granite unlike the jet black that is natural. Though all granites are expensive than most commonly used marbles but snow white granite can be categorised as one of the least expensive variety available in market.
Price Range Rs 750-800/ft2 for slab
Silver Pearl
Silver pearl is blue and greyish granite with silver crystals. It is considered as a superior and expensive variety in granites that is only used for counter tops or stair slabs.
Price Range Rs 950-1200/ft2 for slab up to 2 ft wide
Pearl grey
Belongs to the same family of Silver pearl granite however only difference is that it does not consist of any bluish tone like silver pearl.
Price Range Rs 1200/ft2 for slab up to 2 ft wide
Indian tiger
As the name suggests, it consists of grains that are similar to patterns found on skin of a tiger. This variety of marble is not extracted locally, it is imported from India due to which rates of this granite are on a higher side. Recently due to some import restrictions by the Government of Pakistan, its availability has also become little difficult.
Price Range Rs 750/ft2 for slab up to 2 ft wide
Baltic red
Another variety of granite that can be termed as superior and extracted from quarries located in India and few European countries. It consists of reddish spots with black or grey outlines and is mostly used for counter tops, stair marbles etc.
Price Range Rs 770/ft2 for slab up to 2 ft wide
Baltic brown
Baltic brown consists of circular dark brown spots unlike Baltic red that has red ones, surrounded with black outlines.
Price Range Rs 770/ft2 for slab up to 2 ft wide
Starlite white Granite
A very common granite that is very commonly and widely used for stair and counter slabs. It is artificial granite almost similar to snow white granite. Though all granites are expensive than most commonly used marbles but starlite white granite can be categorised as one of the least expensive variety available in market.
Price Range Rs 700/ft2 for slab
Tan Brown
Another variety of granite that can be termed as superior and extracted from quarries in India & few European countries. It consists of reddish spots with black or grey outlines and is mostly used for counter tops, stair marbles etc.
Price Range Rs 700/ft2 for slab up to 2 ft wide
Other than these mentioned above, there are many other varieties of both natural and artificial marbles and granites available in market. However these are most commonly used in construction of houses in Pakistan.
