It's Time to Consider Cultured Marble Countertops

Consumers will often times purchase a product for one of three reasons. First, they need or want the product. Secondly, the product is attractive to them. Finally, there's an emotional draw to the product and this is when you hear a consumer say, "I love it". This same decision process can be seen from simple products such as shoes and clothing to even more complex products for the home such as a countertop. The reality is that most consumers don't really know or care about the difference from one countertop material or another. They simply love it or they don't. An often overlooked material that can be equally attractive is called cultured marble.

What is cultured marble? In basic terms, it is a mixture of fiberglass resin and crushed limestone rock. It is a cast polymer and the process of making it can be very interesting. First the ingredients are precisely measured and blended. The proper mixture contains polyester resin, a chemical catalyst, fillers, and pigments. These items are properly mixed and then poured, in liquid form, into a mold which will produce the finished product.

It is always coated with gel coat that will produce a tough, yet attractive finish. The final shape depends on the mold used. There are countless colors and styles which can be formulated based on the technique of the mixer and pouring personnel. Once the liquid is in the mold, it will sit for about 1 hour as it cures chemically. Once the product has firmed up, it is de-molded, trimmed at the edges, polished, and then prepared for packaging and shipping.

What makes cultured marble unique is that the products are coated in the mold with a clear or colored gel coat. This is similar to the gel coat that you would see on the exterior paint of a corvette car body. This layer gives an incredible strength to the finished product. The product is light, but has significant properties which make it a superior product to other materials. For example, the finished product is water proof, chip resistant, and durable to rough conditions. The finish can be polished to a shiny or matte finish. People really love the fact that cultured marble has minimal seams and when installed properly, it is leak proof.

Cultured marble products have been used in residential and commercial applications for over 30 years. You can find the construction material in a range of projects from multi-family housing to commercial properties. Although it is an often overlooked material, it has a wide range of colors, sizes, and options. There are numerous companies that will produce custom countertops for just about every application. Furthermore, the material lends itself to other products such as shower bases, wall panels, commode plates, planters, desk accessories, and much more.

Cultured marble products can be found nationwide by visiting large home improvement retailers, hardware stores, kitchen and bath fabricators, cabinet shops and online from e-commerce companies. Most of these outlets offer sample chips in every color so that you can see the color before you actually place an order.

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