Why is artificial marble a better choice than natural marble?
The proper materials must be selected when creating and renovating spaces. A new competitor to marble, also known as engineered stone, has developed due to technological breakthroughs. Marble has long been seen as a sign of richness and beauty. This guide will explain why artificial marble is preferable to natural marble by showcasing its features and advantages.
So let's explore the world of manufactured stone together!
What is Artificial Marble?
Understanding Engineered Stone:
Natural marble chips are combined with a mixture of resins and colors to create artificial marble, also known as engineered stone. These parts are compressed and heated to create slabs or tiles that resemble natural marble in appearance and texture. The result is a magnificent product that blends marble's natural beauty with increased durability and versatility.
The key points of distinction between Artificial Marble and natural marble:
Now that we have a fair understanding of what artificial marble is, let’s understand the key differences between it and natural marble:
- Durability and Resistance: The excellent durability of artificial marble is one of its main benefits. Engineered stone is designed to be extremely resistant to impact, scratches, and stains, unlike natural marble, which is vulnerable to cracks and chipping. This makes it the perfect option for high-traffic areas where durability is crucial, like kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and flooring.
- Enhanced Resistance to Stains: The non-porous surface of artificial marble offers excellent resistance to stains and spills. Engineered stone is resistant to liquids like coffee, wine, and oils, unlike natural marble, which can absorb liquids and leave behind lasting traces. This feature maintains the material's durability and makes it simpler to clean and maintain, thus saving you time and effort.
- Heat and Chemical Resistance: Engineered stone is ideal for various applications because of its exceptional resistance to heat and chemicals. Artificial marble will endure the demands of daily use without losing its beauty or structural integrity, even if you place hot pots and pans directly on your kitchen countertop or use powerful cleaning products.
Aesthetics and Marble Design Freedom:
Let’s check the key differences in aesthetics and design point of view:
- Consistent Appearance: Artificial marble has the potential to provide a constant appearance across the entire surface, which is one of its benefits. Natural marble frequently displays differences in color, veining, and patterns, making it difficult to obtain a consistent appearance. Unlike natural marble, engineered stone offers a consistent and regulated look that lets you select the precise design and color for your project
- Wide Range of Colors and Patterns: The limitations of natural marble are exceeded by the wide variety of hues and patterns offered by artificial marble. Modern shapes, brilliant shades, and tones not seen in nature can all be found in engineered stone. Engineered stone allows you to fit your design preferences, whether you desire a timeless, traditional style or a strong, contemporary statement.
- Customization Options: Artificial marble offers more design flexibility than natural marble, which restricts customization. It is easily formable and fabricatable, allowing for the creation of curved surfaces and delicate embellishments to match any area. Whether you're picturing a custom sculpture or a countertop edge profile, engineered stone can easily and precisely realize your ideas.
Ease of Installation and Maintenance of marble:
Now, we will check the critical differences between natural and artificial marble as far as installation and maintenance are concerned:
- Simple Installation Process: Artificial marble has a simple installation procedure that saves time and money on labor. Because the slabs or tiles are produced in conventional sizes and thicknesses, handling and installing them is simple. Additionally, the uniformity of size and shape guarantees a smooth fit, giving the appearance a polished and businesslike feel.
- Low Maintenance Requirements: Compared to natural marble, fake marble requires less maintenance. Due to its non- porous surface, sealing is unnecessary because liquids cannot be absorbed. Routine washing with light soap and water is typically adequate to maintain its flawless appearance. You may enjoy the beauty of marble with engineered stone without having to perform the considerable upkeep necessary for natural marble.
Marble Cost-Effectiveness:
Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing natural or artificial marble. Let’s see how both these marbles fare in the price aspect.
- Affordable Alternative: You can considerably lower the overall cost of your project by selecting artificial marble. instead of natural marble. Engineered stone offers a cheaper option without sacrificing aesthetic appeal or quality, whereas natural marble is noted for its exclusivity and higher price point. You may have the opulent appearance you want with imitation marble while staying on a tight budget.
- Long-Term Savings: Artificial marble offers long-term savings in addition to initial cost savings because of its durability and low maintenance needs. Due to its durability to stains, scratches, and heat, it requires fewer repairs and replacements over time, which lowers costs. You are making a sensible financial choice by spending money on the engineered stone that will pay off in the future.
Environmental Considerations:
Finally, environmental factors are another important aspect to consider when choosing the ideal marble. Let’s find out which marble stands out here.
- Sustainable Solution: A sustainable option for those who care about the environment is artificial marble. Engineered stone production produces as little waste as possible and uses recycled resources, lowering its environmental impact. Additionally, since no quarries are needed to extract additional stone, choosing engineered stone over natural marble helps preserve natural resources.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Artificial marble uses less energy during production and transportation than natural marble. By using engineered stone, you actively lower your carbon footprint and help create a more sustainable and greener future. Making eco-friendly decisions for your design projects can benefit the environment and encourage a more ethical industry.
Conclusion
As we conclude this guide, it is clear that manufactured stone, often known as artificial marble, excels above natural marble in several ways. Artificial marble is an excellent option for individuals who want the beauty of marble with increased functionality because of its remarkable durability, resistance to stains and heat, customizable designs, ease of installation and maintenance, affordability, and environmental advantages. Consider the benefits of engineered stone while upgrading your house or working on a business project to open up a world of opportunities.