What is Cultured Marble: Everything That You Need To Know!
Marble is a much-loved material used to adorn counter tops and other areas that are easily noticeable in a house. But, it is often found that marble costs a lot of money and is not long lasting in spite of its stunning beauty. As an alternative, something called cultured marble is developed which is becoming popular these days. So, what is cultured marble? Let’s find out.
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What Is Cultured Marble?
Cultured marble is a blend of resins and stone particles mixed with pigments. This blend creates a wide variety of patterns and colors that look natural. This is then casted in molds of specific shapes like that of sinks, countertops, and bathtubs to create the respective pieces.
Natural Marble
Cultured Marble
The molds are coated with a special gel that binds with the mixture resulting in a transparent and hard surface. Once the pieces have cured, they are taken out from the molds and given a polished finish or whatever the customer wants.
Why Customers Prefer Cultured Marble?
Great For Bathroom Countertops
Cultured marble usually has a glossy finish. But, you can also give it a matte or honed finish if you like. It looks great on bathroom countertops and shower walls. The surface is such that it is stain-resistant and is not affected by the presence of moisture.
Cost Effective
Cultured marble is cheaper than original marble. With a lesser price, you can get a great look almost like marble. The price is somewhere between that of granite and a laminate surface. So, it is affordable to almost all. This is because the making of cultured marble is inexpensive and so is its installation. You can also use it for kitchen counters that are prone to stain marks.
Needs Very Little Maintenance
As you know, it is easy to clean the stains on an original marble stone. Same is the case with cultured marble. It does not need to be sealed. You can use nonabrasive products to clean the countertops.
Long Lasting
Cultured marble is non-porous, meaning it does not permit air or liquid to pass through it. As a result, it is resistant to stains and chips and is very tough. This makes it more durable than the original stone.
Variety Of Patterns And Colors
via kitchencubes.com
As cultured marble is a cast product, it can be made in a range of attractive and unique colors and patterns. People love this product as they can customize it to suit their taste and needs. It can be made in any shape as requested by the customers.
Integral Sink
via hgtv.com
Cultured marble countertops with a built-in sink are called integral sink. This way there is a smooth transition from sink to the surface. This adds a personalized and creative touch to the sink. A plus point is that this makes cleaning easier. To bring about a different look, you can also try using different colors for the cultured marble countertop and the integral sink.
Caring The Cultured Marble
Since cultured marble is durable, it requires very minimal care and maintenance. It is resistant to chips and stains due to its non-porous nature. Even if it gets affected by blemish or scratch, it can be repaired easily.
In case it gets a scratch, rebuff the surface with a gel compound that acts as a coat on the marble. But remember that if it is broken, it cannot be repaired as it is made from a single mold.
For regular cleaning, you can use nonabrasive cleaning products. Use a squeegee to wipe out the water drops completely from the cultured marble. You can also clean this using vinegar. To maintain the shine of the material, use a countertop magic product or a gel gloss once every year. It is recommended to polish the surface of cultured marble to maintain its fresh look.
You can avoid any damage by using polish specifically made for such surfaces. Take the polish in a soft cloth and apply it gently on the surface giving extra focus to scratched areas. The last step is rinsing off the polish. For this, you can make use of a spray bottle filled with water. Always remember to use a soft cloth that does not harm the surface.
Conclusion
Thus, cultured marble is a great option for people who are looking for reasonable options when it comes to decorating their homes. Numerous advantages like durability, ease of maintenance and the variety makes it a sought after material. The elegance and beauty it promises is an added advantage that makes it nothing less than original marble in any way.
If you are a bit creative, you can try hundreds of options with cultured marble in terms of its designs and colors. Most people today take help from experts to create that outstanding look they want in their countertops.
