Cultured Marble + Granite Countertops

White cultured marble vanity countertop and integrated sink with matte black waterfall faucet. The countertop is installed on a light brown flat-panel vanity with black cabinet pulls. A large mirror is framed by single-light sconce lamps with clear glass globes off to each side. Photo by Illia Sternichuk.

With the appearance of real marble or granite, cultured marble and granite countertops are created by mixing high-strength polyester resin and real marble or granite stone dust, before moulding the mixture to create a seamless vanity with integrated sink.

Why Cultured Marble + Granite?

To the untrained eye, cultured marble and granite are indistinguishable from real thing — at a fraction of the cost. Both are available in a wide range of colours, styles and patterns. The surface is non-porous and won’t harbour bacteria, and can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Cultured marble and granite are relatively durable and fairly resistant to chipping and abrasion. Above all, the materials can be molded into almost any shape.

Take Note

Cultured marble and granite surfaces, though durable, are vulnerable to scratching, so abrasive cleaning products must be avoided. Unlike quartz which offers a similar non-porous surface, cultured marble and granite should be protected from extreme temperatures, as well as acidic liquids which can cause staining (wine or grape juice, for example). As a manufactured product, colour can vary slightly across the surface of the countertop. The material’s surface is usually protected with a gel coating which can crack as it ages.