What is Cultured Marble? What You Need to Know

If you have never seen cultured marble, you might be asking yourself, “What is cultured marble?” Well, it’s a human-made marble designed to resemble natural marble. This has emerged as a popular choice for bathroom countertops because it's the least susceptible to typical damage. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about cultured marble to help you make informed choices for your next project. 

	Real Marble	Cultured Marble
Cost	More expensive	More affordable
Integrated sinks or backsplashes	Marble countertops do not have	Cultured marble countertops have this
Sealing	Needs regular sealing	Doesn't need
Seams	Have seams except for smaller vanities	Seamless appearance

 

Similarities:

• Both materials are susceptible to scratching, staining, scorching, cracking, and chemical damage
• They require a similar level of care and cleaning ( though there are some specific differences )
• If damaged, both can be repaired to like-new condition
  

Cultured Marble vs Solid Surface

As you know that cultured marble is a man-made blend of crushed natural marble, resins, and dyes. Solid surface, on the other hand, is a consistent engineered material crafted from a mixture of different components. 

These include acrylic, epoxy, polyester resins, aluminium trihydrate, and various pigments. Understanding differences between these two is important that involving the following aspects: 

Cost

The typical price range of engineered marble is between $30 to $100 per square foot. Contrarily, solid surface materials have slightly higher prices that fall within the range of  $50 to $100 per square foot. When considering cost, cultured marble has a significant advantage over other types of countertops material. It helps you complete your construction project at lower cost which means saving for other upgrades.

Durability & Longevity

Known for its exceptional durability, solid surfaces often last 30 to 50 years without requiring replacement due to their non-porous nature. Whereas cultured marble is also durable, but tends to have a short lifespan, lasting around 20 years if compared. 

Aesthetics & Design Options

Engineered marble may have slight colour or texture variations due to mixed miniature particles. In contrast, solid surfaces such as Hanex offer consistent designs and multiple colour choices for both commercial and residential use. 

Applications

Solid surfaces like cultured marble find applications in shower walls, kitchen splashbacks, and bathroom countertops.

Cultured Marble vs Quartz Countertops

• Material: Unlike cultured marble, Quartz is an engineered substance made of 95% quartz mineral and resin.
• Maintenance: Contrary to the composite marble that requires more care, Quartz is non-porous and doesn't require sealing and can be cleaned with water and soap.
• Design Considerations: Cultured Marble is a blanket term for manufactured marble coming in different colours. However, Quartz is designed in a way that offers consistent colours and patterns from whites and greys to natural stone looks. 
  

Applications of Cultured Marble

It can be used for versatile applications, making it a popular choice for the home.

Countertops 

As it's durable material, you can consider this for bathroom vanities and countertops, making it perfect for humid conditions. It helps you prevent your space from the growth of mold and mildew. 

Shower Walls and Tubs

Cultured Marble is also used for your shower walls and tubs, offering a sleek, smooth look with minimal joints and grout lines. Its natural water-resistance makes it ideal for handling constant bathroom moisture. 

Flooring and Other Interior Uses

In addition to the above areas, you can use this for flooring and other interior applications. Standing up well to foot traffic and daily wear, cultured marble is a practical choice for various tops.

The Benefits of Cultured Marble

Let's have a look at some benefits: 

Appearance 

Resin-based marble can mimic natural stone patterns and veining with dozens of colour options chosen during the casting process. With shades ranging from Black Spice to Bermuda Coral, the hardest thing is picking your favorite color!

Low Maintenance 

Don't worry about extra care of cultured marble, you can use non-abrasive, standard household cleaners to keep it fresh. Occasional polishing helps maintain its shine. 

Budget-friendly

Cultured marble is a more cost-effective choice than marble, granite, or quartz with reduced installation cost, making it a wallet-friendly option. You can not only save your money but also add value to your home like traditional stone. 

Unique or Customizable 

Every piece of this matter is a one-of-a-kind product. You can order to get customized colors, styles, and sizes of the piece and add different aesthetics. 

Cleaning & Care Tips for Cultured Marble 

Cleaning Instructions

Cleaning of cultured marble is a breeze as you only need a non-abrasive cleaner or soapy water. But if you notice a tougher spot, then use denatured alcohol. It's a powerful solvent that breaks down stains and grease while also being antibacterial. 

How To Prevent Stains and Damage

• Use gel coating
• Clean up spills promptly
• Wipe down after a shower regularly 
  

Pro Tip: What should you not use on cultured marble?
Don't try any hard abrasives (Comet, Ajax, Soft Scrub, etc.), cleaning pads, steel wool, nail polish remover, or certain chemicals. They cause dullness and discoloration to its surface. 

Cost Considerations

It's difficult to make an exact comparison of the cost due to market variations, as prices can vary like the wind. However, in some areas, entry-level cultured marble is about 50% cheaper than the basic stone options. Laminate is the closest in cost, while you can expect materials like quartz, soapstone, and stainless steel to be more than twice the cost. 

Factors That Can Affect Cost

Whether you are purchasing a
custom piece or something ready to install, there are four primary factors to consider:

• Size
• Installation
• Design
• Quality of materials
  

Pros and Cons of Cultured Marble 

A concise overview of its key advantages and drawbacks for your surfaces.

Pros:

• Low price: More affordable than natural stone, making it a budget-friendly choice for large surfaces.
• Solid, continuous surface: Seamless installation reduces grout lines and creates a sleek, uniform look.
• High customizability: Available in a wide range of colors, veining patterns, and molded shapes to fit any design.
• Easy to clean: Non-porous surface resists stains and can be wiped down with mild soap and water.
• Good relative durability: Holds up well against everyday wear and moisture in bathrooms and kitchens.
  

Cons:

• Vulnerable to scratches: The resin topcoat can show marks if sharp objects are dragged across it.
• Competitive weakness: Harder materials like quartz or porcelain can outperform it in scratch and heat resistance.
• Aesthetic inconsistency: Factory-made veining can sometimes look too uniform or artificial.
• Gel layer may crack with age: Over many years and temperature changes, the gel coat can develop fine cracks.
  

Create a Luxurious Space With Cultured Marble

Transform your bathroom into a luxurious space with cultured marble and save on your renovation project as well. You can choose from any kind of color, style, or pattern.

If you want affordable options, then contact MOSAICENTER. We help you upgrade your bathroom countertops by providing cost-effective solutions. 

FAQs

What Makes Cultured Marble Best For Your Bathroom?

Due to its non-porosity, cultured marble is the best choice for your bathrooms. Additionally, man-made marble countertops offer aesthetic appeal along with an easy-to-maintain exterior.

Is Cultured Marble a Solid Surface?

Yes, it's a classified type of solid surface material.

What are the Downsides of Cultured Marble?

If compared with solid surfaces or other countertop materials, cultured marble is a weak material. Therefore, it's vulnerable to scratches and wear and tear over time.

Does Cultured Marble Need to be Sealed?

No, synthetic marble has a gel coat covering that doesn't require sealing every six months or year like marble.

What is the Lifespan of Cultured Marble?

Its lifespan depends upon how you care for it. By the way, if you care for cultured marble properly, it can last up to 20 years.

What is Fake Marble Called?

Fake marble is called cultured Marble, faux marble, or artificial marble.