Cultured marble countertops for your bath are a wise home investment. Especially when you compare the differences between real and cultured marble. But, you have to be just as particular about choosing the cultured marble countertop company you trust with the installation. You want to make the right call, since countertops aren’t an easy replacement, like wall paint is. Plus, the quality of material and insulation determines your ultimate satisfaction with the countertops’ look and durability at the end of the day.
Ensuring Cultured Marble is the Right Material for Your Countertops
When choosing your countertop material, you’ve many options, ranging from granite to Corian and quartz to wood, concrete and marble, just to name a few. If marble makes your short list, the next decision is real or cultured.
Real marble is a high-end, luxury natural stone quarried from the earth. Cultured marble isn’t, but it is close. Cultured marble is made by blending pulverized natural marble with synthetic resins and dyes. The way cultured marble is manufactured is comparable to Corian and quartz countertops. Once it is formed into a bath countertop, it’s coated with a clear, protective gel. Cultured marble also can be used for sinks, backsplashes, showers and bathtubs.
Why homeowners choose cultured marble over real:
- Cultured marble is more affordable than real marble
- Real marble countertops do not have integrated sinks or backsplashes, so larger countertops require seams
- Marble needs sealing; cultured marble does not
What to keep in mind about cultured and real marble:
- Both can be scratched, stained, scorched, cracked and chemically damaged
- Both have a similar level of care and cleaning requirements
- Both can be repaired to like-new condition in the case of damage
Seams are an issue for many homeowners. Cultured marble countertops will have an integrated sink and backsplash of the same color and pattern, so no seams or caulking is necessary. Plus, the finish is the same underneath, only flat, not glossy. This is important for countertops that overhang and might be seen from underneath.
Real marble countertops require buying a separate top or under mounted sink, needing grout or caulk to seal around the sink and backsplash sections. Since natural marble is quarried it lacks consistent veins and coloring, but it will look the same from top and bottom angles.
Real and Cultured Marble Cost Comparison
Cultured marble is a unicorn material for bath countertops. It is one of the most stylish, affordable options on the market today. Typically, cultured marble countertops cost half or third of the price of quarried natural marble. With little visual difference and tougher durability, cultured marble is the right choice for interior designers and homeowners.
Comparing Complete Home Concepts to Other Cultured Marble Companies
Complete Home Concepts manufactures a variety of cultured marble products on-site at our facility right here in Kansas City. We offer more than 40 color choices, and update them on a regular basis to reflect changing bath trends.
Each of our standard & custom shower bases, over 6 different bowl styles, and 10 tub and whirlpool designs can be created in any of our color offerings with some additional special order colors available.
All Complete Home Concepts’ culture marbled products are available with the option of “High Gloss” or “Matte” finishes. Whichever “finish” you choose will have the highest-quality gel coating available. Applied over 20 mils thick, it not only results in a beautiful finish, but one that is tough, durable and stain resistant.
Part of our standard service includes custom measuring or verifying measurements prior to manufacturing any cultured marble product we sell and install. We stand behind our products with a Five (5) Year Product Warranty that meets or exceeds ANSI, ASTM, NAHB and U.S. Government HUD specifications.
Visit our showroom to explore cultured marble colors and countertop styles. Our experts are here to answer your questions and discuss all options.