There are many reasons why you would need cultured marble bathtubs, showers, sinks and vanities services in Fort Pierce. You may want to acquire a marble surface and are presented with the alternative, or you may already have cultured marble in your bathroom and need to repair it.
Whichever the case, there are some thing you should know before you decide what to do.
What is cultured marble?
Marble is a natural stone that can be extracted from earth and worked into different objects, such as tiles, countertops, slabs and statues. Because it’s a natural product, marble can vary widely in colors and patterns (veins of different coloring).
Unlike marble, cultured marble is a man-made product. However, it’s not completely artificial, because crushed marble dust makes up about 75% of a cultured marble product. The dust is combined with liquid polyester resins and the finished product is sealed with a gel coat.
As a result, cultured marble products have a glossy appearance and uniform veining and color. It is also worth noting that they are made directly in a mold, which makes every piece different from other cultured marble products.
What are the advantages of cultured marble?
Some advantages of cultured marble bathtubs, showers, sinks and vanities are:
• Beauty: while being more uniform than its natural counterpart, it still mimics the beauty and shine of marble.
• Low maintenance: unlike marble, cultured marble is non-porous. This means it doesn’t need sealing or grout, and that it’s resistant to stains from soaps, shampoos and other products found in bathrooms.
• Easy to clean: cultured marble can be cleaned with any non-abrasive cleaning product and be left to dry naturally.
• Durable: as it is non-porous, cultured marble is resistant to chips, scratches and mildew. However, it can become cracked due to thermal shock (applying hot and cold water on it over a short period of time).
• Economical: cultured marble is considerably less expensive than natural marble, while adding nearly the same value to your property.
Can you repair cultured marble?
At first sight, repairing cultured marble may seem difficult considering that each piece is unique due to being made in molds. However, it’s not very hard to do. You can even do it yourself with gel coat.
Still, keep in mind that this works better for minor chips and holes. When there are cracks, big chips or too many scratches or blemishes, it’s better to get professional repair or to consider another method of updating your cultured marble surface.
Can you refinish cultured marble?
Refinishing is a great option for cultured marble. Unlike repairing, it must be done by a professional, but it will give you a fresh new look for your cultured marble surface that will upgrade the whole bathroom.
Refinishing your cultured marble bathtub, shower, sink or vanity will save you many of the costs that you would have if you were to replace the surface, such as re-plumbing. Make sure that you hire a licensed professional who can guarantee the quality of their work.
Can you replace cultured marble?
Replacing cultured marble is the hardest of the three options, and the most expensive one, too. It can be done by yourself, but hiring a professional is the best option.
As cultured marble comes in molds and not tiles, some surfaces may be too large for you to remove and carry out on your own. It also means that you will need a whole new bathtub, shower wall, sink or countertop to replace. If your current surface is non-standard, you will need custom-made pieces that will increase the price of the replacement.
If your cultured marble surface only suffers from some chips and scratches, repair and refinishing are better options. You should consider replacement only when the damage is too big or if you believe the surface’s look is outdated and want to change it completely.
Bottom line
Cultured marble is a very durable material, but it’s not immune to damage. Over time, you may find that you need cultured marble bathtubs, showers, sinks and vanities services in Fort Pierce, like repairing chips and cracks, refinishing a countertop or replacing shower walls.
In these cases, we invite you to call Surface Specialists of the Treasure Coast! We are experts in bathtub repair, tub refinishing, tub to shower conversions and more throughout Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach and Vero Beach in Florida.
You may call us at 772-888-6595 for a free estimate!
Cultured marble bathtubs, showers, sinks and vanities services in Fort Pierce