Buyer guide · Materials
Cultured marble, solid surface, acrylic or quartz?
For vanity tops, shower walls and shower pans in volume projects, cultured marble gives one piece tops with integral bowls, tile looks with no grout lines and a hard gelcoat surface at a lower cost than solid surface or quartz. Solid surface repairs more easily, acrylic is lighter for pans and tubs, and quartz is the premium choice.
| Cultured marble | Solid surface | Acrylic | Quartz | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made from | Resin with stone or mineral filler, cast in a mould | Acrylic or polyester resin with mineral filler | Thermoformed acrylic sheet backed with fibreglass | Crushed quartz bound with resin |
| Surface | Hard gelcoat over the cast body | Same colour all the way through | Glossy acrylic skin | Polished engineered stone |
| Bowl | Cast in one piece with the top | Seamless or bonded | Not used for tops | Separate sink, undermounted |
| Repair | Light scratches polish out | Sands and repairs well | Light scratches polish out | Hard to repair |
| Weight | Moderate | Moderate | Light | Heavy |
| Cost | Lower | Higher | Lower | Highest |
| Best for | Tops, walls and pans in volume projects | Premium tops and walls | Shower pans and tubs | Premium kitchens and baths |
Why cultured marble suits multifamily and hospitality
A cultured marble top is cast with its bowl in one piece, so there is no sink joint to fail or clean. Wall panels give the look of tile without grout lines, which cuts cleaning and turnover work between tenants or guests. And it is priced for volume, which matters across hundreds of bathrooms.
Looking after it
Clean with mild, non abrasive cleaners. Light scratches and dull spots in the gelcoat can be polished out.