Should Cultured Marble Countertops Be Used in a Kitchen Remodeling? 

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As you research different kinds of materials for your home improvement project, you may have come across cultured marble countertops and wonder if they are appropriate for use as kitchen counters.  The truth is that they are rarely used for this application.  That said, there is no rule that says that you are not allowed to make your own choice of materials for your kitchen counter.  The question is whether or not you actually should use cultured marble countertops for use as your kitchen solid surface counter. Use the following information to see what is good about cultured marble countertops and what is not so good in terms of use in a kitchen.

Cultured marble countertops: what gives them  kitchen appeal?

There are some features to cultured marble countertops that can make them appear to be attractive for use as a kitchen work surface.  They include the following:

• - Cultured marble countertops can be formed into any shape and can be molded to form a sink so that the entire counter can be poured in one piece.  This is because they are made out of a cast polymer resin product that begins as a liquid and is then solidified.
  
• - There is a strong resistance to mold, mildew, and bacteria growth, as well as resistance to staining in cultured marble countertops, which are a non porous surface.
  
• - There is a great deal of variety of choice in terms of appearance because cultured marble countertops are available in many different colors and can also be ordered with either a matte or highly glossy finish.  Moreover, the specific look of the veining can be chosen and made by the designer or by the customer for a custom look.
  
• This type of solid surface is very easy to keep clean.  Primarily, cleaning consists of regular wipe downs with a cloth or a sponge using water or soapy water.  A mild non abrasive kitchen cleanser can be used for more stubborn spills.
  
• Custom cultured marble countertops can be ordered with stunning inlays for an additional fee.

Cultured marble countertops: why are they rarely used for kitchens?

Though you do hear about other forms of engineered stone countertops, such as quartz, cultured marble countertops are generally used for bathrooms and vanities, as well as bars, whirlpool surrounds, shower or tub surrounds, wainscoting, wall paneling, and makeup application tables, though very rarely for kitchen counters.  The reasons for this is as follows:

• Cultured marble countertops are very easy to chip, scratch, and scuff under the daily wear and tear received from a kitchen counter.  As durability is key to a good food preparation surface, this makes this material less desirable in a kitchen.
  
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• Most cultured marble countertops come with a limited warranty of 3 to 5 years, which is relatively short for a counter at this price.  Considering the cost, another much more durable surface can be chosen, with a warranty that is two to three times longer.

Use this knowledge to decide whether cultured marble countertops have the type of features that you expect from your kitchen’s solid surface.  You may find that while this may be appropriate for an area such as a breakfast bar on a kitchen island, it may not be as ideal for the work surfaces in the room, leading you to choose another material for your kitchen counters.

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