If the look of marble has you in a chokehold, but this feedback has you taking a second look at this gorgeous trend, there is plenty of supportive advice stating that porcelain is a great alternative. It gives the same appearance as marble and is more durable and less susceptible to patina, oxidization, and etching. Take this tiled porcelain shower, for example. The straight tile blocks have similar iron lines that contrast beautifully with the shiny white surface, but you can use hard chemicals as you freely wish, keeping a gleaming bathroom for years to come.