UPDATED: Man-Made vs. Natural Marble: What’s the Difference?

When choosing new countertops for your kitchen or bathroom, there are many different options available to choose from. From man-made materials, such as quartz, to natural stone options, such as marble and granite, the material you choose ultimately comes down to your budget and preferences.

Cultured marble vs marble is a big topic when comparing man-made countertops to natural stone. Marble is a luxurious stone that offers true beauty on top of a variety of benefits, and cultured marble offers many of the same aesthetic qualities at a cheaper price. So which one should you choose?

At GMS Werks, we are a leading natural stone countertop provider. From marble and granite to man-made quartz and cultured marble, we can help you find your dream countertops. Below, we discuss the differences between cultured marble vs marble. 

Cultured Marble vs Marble

Man-made, or cultured marble, is a material that typically costs less than its natural alternative. This material is developed as a combination of liquid polymer resin, coloring and marble dust. Cultured marble is ultimately a mimic of natural marble. It looks similar in color and design, but it is not in fact made of natural stone. 

Natural marble, on the other hand, is quarried from the earth and is considered to be a high-end, luxury countertop material. From flooring and countertops to walls and columns, marble has been used in a variety of architectural ways for many years.

Colors and patterns

Natural marble comes in a variety of colors, including white, black, red, brown, pink, yellow, green and gray. However, white is the most traditional and common color you see in kitchens and bathrooms. Natural marble also contains beautiful veining, giving every slab a unique look. 

Some will say cultured marble looks almost identical to real marble countertops. Man-made marble comes in pretty much every color as natural marble and has dyed veins added to make it look real. 

Hardness and durability

Both natural and cultured marble are durable, though not the most durable materials to choose from. Both are prone to scratching and chipping, which means regular maintenance is of great importance. 

Price

Another huge difference between cultured and natural marble is the price that each is worth. Natural marble, as well as any natural stone, is going to be much more expensive than the cultured alternative. Although paying less for something that looks like the real deal may be enticing, natural marble will increase your home’s value much more than man-made materials. 

Cleaning and maintenance

When it comes to maintaining your countertops, both natural and cultured marble require just about the same amount of care. Both of these materials can chip, crack, stain and scratch easily, which means you should only be using recommended cleaning products. To clean each material, use only non-abrasive, pH-neutral cleaning products. Although they require the same amount of cleaning and care, there are different products that will work better depending on which material you have. 

For maintenance, you should regularly be sealing your natural marble countertops. Doing so will help prevent stains that come from everyday life. On the other hand, cultured marble does not require sealing, as it is installed with a non-porous gel coat. Lastly, when it comes to heat in the kitchen, cultured marble tends to burn much quicker compared to natural marble.

If quality is what you are looking for, natural marble is your better option. However, with quality comes higher prices and more maintenance. If you have any questions regarding which countertops you should choose for your next kitchen renovation, give our team at GMS Wërks a call today! We are happy to help in any way possible.