Artificial Marble
Marble is the epitome of elegance and the savviest choice of home decorate for many people. However, most homebuyers who plan to construct their home or remodel their existing one with marble are quite often confused between which stone to choose, that,natural marble or artificial marble?
If you are perplexed between natural and artificial marble, fret not, we have compiled below some useful tips that will help you make the right choice between the two types.
The Difference between Natural Marble and Artificial Marble
Natural marble stone is a metamorphic rock- the one that is quarried from the earth, and its colour type and texture varies according to the location from which it is quarried. Natural stone is thus unique in nature with respect to the colour and veins, in addition to the natural imperfections that are unique to each stone. Natural marble does not have a polished look.
Artificial stone, on the other hand, is human-made and came into the market during the 1980s. Artificial marbles are a combination of marble debris, stone powder, plastic cement, sand, and a few other items, along with acrylic glue mixed in a predetermined proportion. Hence, artificial marble stones have a uniform look, come in various colours, and look more polished as they are artificially coloured and polished.
Now, let’s find out how to choose between natural and artificial marble. For this we must know how natural and artificial marble differ in their capacities and how the can be used in construction:
How Natural and Artificial Marble Differ in their Capacities
Natural marble has limited colours as their shades depend on the impurities that are present in the limestone. Artificial marble, on the other hand, has versatile colours and patterns leading to a more diverse selection range for homeowners. The colours are artificially added and hence they lack the natural sheen texture and grain of natural marble.
Natural marble has a high maintenance cost. Though natural marble is hard, it is actually quite brittle as it can become chipped or discoloured in a very short span of time. Also, one must be careful not to spill any oil, or cleaning substances, or anything acidic as it can damage the stone. Experts also suggest resealing natural marble once every six months.
Artificial marble is quite resistant to all the above spillage as they are non-porous. They hence require less maintenance and upkeep.
Each natural marble being quarried from earth has a unique texture and colour. It is hard to find two similar pairs of marble slabs. This makes them more sought after. Artificial marble is more homogenous and one can get a plethora of similar shades for uniform implementation.
Natural marble is quite heavy as opposed to artificial marble that is lighter thereby enabling the ease of transport. Artificial marble hence can result in much cost savings as transportation is much simpler.
Natural marble being carved out of earth undergoes immense heat and pressure, and hence they are more heat resistant. Artificial marble is an amalgamation of various elements glued together, and hence they are fragile (they can burn or melt) when they come into contact with high temperatures.
Natural marble is quite expensive as it is a high–end natural stone and requires great effort in cutting, shaping, and quarrying. Artificial marble can be created with less ingredients and moulded; hence they are comparatively less expensive.
The installation of a natural marble stone requires a skilled workforce. Any mishandling during installation can lead to the marble getting cracked, discoloured, or the veins popping out. Hence, strong muscle power is required for installation. Artificial marble can be more easily installed as they are less fragile. The cutting and adjusting of marble can also be done on the site itself.
Construction with artificial marble is much easier compared to natural stone. This is because artificial marble can be bent easily and cut and shaped on-site.
