Marble is traditionally one of the most sought-after materials for kitchen benchtops. That is, until people learn of the disadvantages that make it so hard to buy and tough to care for. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise to learn that cultured marble benchtops are becoming more popular, along with other stone benchtop options.

Cultured marble is man-made instead of directly quarried from the ground, with real stone particles blended with certain resins and pigments to create a fantastic final product. Here are just a few reasons why you should opt for cultured marble instead of genuine marble for your kitchen countertops.

Easier to Care For

Probably the biggest reason why people turn their backs on the idea of a marble countertop is that they are incredibly hard to care for. Because this is a natural stone, its surface is porous and contains numerous mineral channels. If you spill a drink or any kind of acidic food, you're almost certainly going to have a very nasty stain on your hands. Even certain cleaners can damage the appearance of your marble countertops. This is a problem that can be mitigated through frequent sealing, but it's much more convenient to simply go with cultured marble. It never needs sealing and has a non-porous surface that cannot be stained and won't present a home for bacteria.

Cheaper to Buy and Install

It probably won't surprise you to learn that marble tends to be the priciest material used for kitchen countertops. Aside from the fact that it is so sought-after, marble needs to be quarried, shaped, and then transported to your home, and each one of those steps results in additional costs. In contrast, cultured marble is made in a mould and seldom has as far to travel. It can also be created to accommodate the exact size and shape that you require, so it's a far easier material to install and you usually won't need to wait as long to get it.

It Looks Just Like Marble

Just a few short years ago, buying cultured marble would have meant putting up with rather artificial-looking countertops, but a lot has changed since then. Advances in manufacturing techniques have allowed cultured marble slabs to be made that look just like the real thing, with a high-gloss finish and detailing veining presenting a very genuine surface. In fact, cultured marble presents a number of advantages. Genuine marble looks different according to where it was quarried, so marble sourced from India will look different from marble sourced from Greece. With cultured marble, you can have the type you want simulated right here in Australia.