What's The Difference Between Natural Marble And Artificial Marble ？
March 22,2022
What's The Difference Between Natural Marble And Artificial Marble ？
Natural marble stone is destined to be one of the best construction materials for architectural use, with its elegant marble texture and varieties, while artificial marble, copied from natural marble colors, is even better than natural marble in some aspects. Therefore, stone dealers are sometimes perplexed between natural and artificial marbles. Here are some of the differentiating factors helping you make the right choice between the two kinds of marbles.
1. Choices of Colour Patterns
Natural marble has different colours depending on the presence of impurities in the limestone. Artificial marble, on the contrary, is designed and manufactured to have versatile colour and patterns with varied production techniques and color pigments, which enhances selection diversity. However, artificial marble can't compete with the natural one in colour, texture, grain, and shine.
2. Maintenance
Natural marble is a luxurious stone, necessary with a high maintenance cost. It is a hard but weak stone and can become faded or chipped after a period of time. Therefore, often it is recommended to have it waxed every six months. The owners of natural marble must avoid spilling oil, acidic substances, or cleaners that are not compatible with the marble as it can damage the stone surface easily.
While artificial marble, on the other hand, is a non-porous substance that requires lower maintenance and upkeep. The raw materials of resin and process of creating artificial marble makes it resistant to oil, stains. Even regular cleaners are compatible with artificial marbles.
3. Weight
Compared to the natural marble, the artificial marbles are comparatively slimmer and lighter, thereby enabling portability with ease. Its light weight makes it easier to install and enhances cost savings.
4. Homogeneity
Every natural marble is different because of its impurities and natural process of formation, and the chances of finding an exact pair are rare. However, artificial marbles are homogenous in the same block and even in the same production time, and buyers can find a plethora of similar samples for implementation. Besides, artificial marbles have double-sided uniformity, so implementation depends upon the buyer’s preference.
5. Heat Resistance
Natural marble is formed by geographic activity, undergoing immense heat and pressure, while artificial marbles lack heat resistance. The mixture for creating artificial marble comprises glue, which risks it melting or burning under high temperature.
6. Price
Natural marble is expensive as this is a premium stone whose cutting, quarrying, and availability make it costly. On the contrary, artificial marble is less expensive as it can be easily created in a quarry with a mix of few elements and solidified in a mould.
7. Installation
Being a hard stone, natural marble requires a skilled workforce for installation, or else it leads to curling, cracking, discolouration, and popping of marble veins. However, cutting, installing, and adjusting artificial marble is hassle-free as these are less fragile.
