Frequently Asked Questions
Cultured marble is an engineered material crafted from a blend of natural marble stone particles and high-strength resins. The manufacturing process involves the careful combination of crushed marble, pigments for color, and resin. This matrix is then cast behind a gel-coat layer, which makes the material non-porous and non-staining.
Solid surface is man-made material composed of a blend of acrylic or polyester resins, natural minerals (such as aluminum trihydrate), and pigments for color. It is the same color and consistency throughout, which makes it able to be sanded and repaired easily.
The main difference is in their manufacturing processes and the raw materials used (see questions 1 and 2 for elaboration). Cultured marble is predominantly employed in bathroom applications, with its grout-free superiority over tile and easy maintenance. Solid surface is particularly well-suited for high-traffic zones like kitchens, where it can endure considerable wear and tear and can be effortlessly sanded and repaired.
Cultured marble is versatile and commonly used for shower pans, shower walls, vanity tops, bathtubs, tub walls, and various other applications in bathrooms.
Solid surface is commonly used for a variety of applications, including kitchen countertops, vanity tops, shower pans, shower walls, and other surfaces in both kitchens and bathrooms.
One of the very best features of having grout-free bath surfaces is that routine cleaning very simple. All you’ll need to use is a normal, non-abrasive foam or liquid bathroom cleaner (such as Scrubbing Bubbles) and a soft sponge or cloth. You’ll want to avoid any kind of abrasive cleaners (such as Comet, Ajax, etc.), steel wool, scouring pads, scrapers, Magic Erasers, or sandpaper on any part of the surfaces that could dull or damage the surface. If it feels gritty or sandy between your fingers, avoid using it. Check with your manufacturer for more specific information on cleaning.
Here is a short video on cleaning cultured marble surfaces:
How to clean Cultured Marble from ldpstudios on Vimeo.
With proper care, your cultured marble and solid surface grout-free bath surfaces will last for years and years! It’s why you see them so often in commercial settings, such as hospitals, hotels, colleges, etc. – they are durable and built to last! Those same attributes make them perfect for residential use for your personal shower, tub, and vanity.
Yes, both are super easy to clean and maintain. Regular cleaning with a mild, non-abrasive cleanser is usually sufficient. Both materials never require sealing and are non-porous and resistant to mold and mildew.
Tile showers have lines of grout that are porous and require sealing and are difficult to clean and maintain. Grout-free surfaces are solid, non-porous, uniform, never need to be sealed and are super easy to clean. The corner seams are sealed with a 100% silicone caulk, which while also requiring little maintenance, is designed to flex with temperature and structural shifting. Those same temperature and structural shifts will cause grout lines to crack and crumble. Grout-free surfaces are the better value over time when you consider the maintenance and problems that often come with grout.
Both cultured marble and solid surface shower pans offer a seamless, low-maintenance solution with no grout lines, reducing the risk of water damage. They are easy-to-clean and non-porous. Tile floors generally require more maintenance and can be prone to grout issues and water leakage over time. Tile floors also take longer to install, often several days rather than a one-day installation that can be done for a cultured marble or solid surface shower pan.
Cultured marble and solid surface shower walls are grout-free, easy to clean, non-porous, resistant to mold and mildew, and never require sealing. These seamless shower walls can be customized to suit your design preferences, enhancing the overall hygiene, appearance, and aesthetic of your shower.
Acrylic and fiberglass are notorious for being flimsy, cracking, leaking, and staining so badly that they become etched and impossible to ever get clean. Grout-free bath surfaces are solid and strong, with very little give or flexibility. Add in the benefits of being non-porous and non-staining, and you have the perfect surfaces for your bathroom.
Grout-free solid surface kitchen countertops can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge. You can also use mild detergents or all-purpose cleaners. For more stubborn stains, use a mild abrasive cleaner with a damp blue Scotch Brite pad.
Grout-free solid surface and cultured marble bath surfaces NEVER require sealing! While tile grout is porous like a sponge, soaking up moisture and dirty soap scum that breed unsanitary mold and mildew, grout-free surfaces are manufactured with a gel-coat finish that makes them non-porous and non-staining and they will stay that way for the life of the product!
The cost associated with these grout-free materials is frequently dependent on factors such as project size, materials, labor, and the overall project scope. The inclusion of custom features and intricate designs can also impact the overall cost.
Professional installation is advised for optimal results; however, certain manufacturers do provide their materials for ambitious DIYers to self-install. Both materials demand specific skills and tools to guarantee a seamless and durable installation. It is highly recommended to thoroughly research the necessary requirements before undertaking a DIY project to ensure its success.
Most grout-free cultured marble and solid surface products typically come with a warranty. Specifics vary, so please contact your local manufacturer for more information.
Installation times vary depending on the project size and complexity. On average, a standard cultured marble or solid surface shower (including the pan, walls, and accessories) can be installed within a single day. PLUS, that the shower is often ready for use the very next day after the silicone has set (a much faster turnaround than tile showers which often require several day of installation and wait time before they can be used).
For an accurate estimate, reach out to your nearby grout-free manufacturer and provide them with details about your project such as dimensions, design preferences, and any desired custom features. They can also guide you on installation procedures or pickup options. Locate a manufacturer near me.
Kitchens are known for being a high abuse area. Knives, pots and pans, small kitchen appliances, etc. are the things that often cause the most damage to kitchen countertops. Solid surface kitchen countertops are renewable – meaning that any surface scratches can be easily fixed by the homeowner with a little abrasive cleaner or light sanding.
Although extremely durable, you never want to place hot items directly on your solid surface kitchen countertops. It’s good common practice to always use trivets (even under heat-generating small appliances) to protect your countertops. Most people are unaware that even natural stone slabs and engineered quartz slabs require trivets to prevent thermal cracking, which is not covered under warranty.
Minor damage to cultured marble can be usually repaired, depending on the extent of the damage. Always contact your manufacturer for guidance and recommendations.
Solid Surface is known for its repairability. Minor scratches and blemishes can often be sanded out and polished to restore the surface. Always contact your manufacturer for guidance and recommendations.
Granite and other natural stone slab materials are extremely porous – that is why you’ll never see them in a commercial kitchen. So-called “lifetime” sealers are a myth – everyday cleaners, heat, and general use will break down those sealants over time. Grout-free solid surface kitchen countertops are non-porous, never need to be sealed, and are super easy to clean. Granite and natural stone seams are also often obvious and raised or uneven a bit – making them an area where dirt and debris can collect. If your grout-free countertops require seaming during installation, they will be either invisible or impossible to detect. Grout-free surfaces are the better value over time when you consider the maintenance and staining that often come with grout and natural stone slabs.
Absolutely! Cultured marble comes in an array of colors and patterns, often featuring a veined appearance or solid colors. Similarly, solid surface offers a diverse selection with patterns typically showcasing a consistent speckled granite look. Both provide extensive choices in color and pattern to align with your design preferences, including the option for custom shapes and sizes tailored to the specific products.
Absolutely, both cultured marble and solid surface are well-suited for commercial applications. Their durability, versatility, ease of maintenance, and customizable features render them practical choices for many commercial projects. Both cultured marble and solid surface products are widely favored in industries such as healthcare and hospitality.
|
Products |
Cultured Marble |
Solid Surface |
| Kitchen Countertops | ★ | |
| Vanity Tops | ★ | ★ |
| Shower Pans | ★ | ★ |
| Shower Surrounds | ★ | ★ |
| Bathtubs | ★ | |
| Tub Surrounds | ★ | ★ |
| Soap/Shampoo Dishes | ★ | ★ |
| Shower Benchtops | ★ | ★ |
| Shower Corner Seats | ★ | ★ |
| Wall Caps | ★ | ★ |
| Windowsills | ★ | ★ |
| Baseboards | ★ | ★ |
| Wainscotting | ★ | ★ |