When you invest time and energy in curating the right designs for your space, the same must go into choosing the right materials needed for the build. Be it a minor kitchen renovation or a large-scale commercial project, selecting the right stone for construction can be quite a daunting task, and for various reasons. For one, there are just way too many options out there in the market. You would’ve often scoured the internet for options to see which stone goes well with your space and chose a stone that has a better visual match with your design.
But ever wondered about the authenticity of the stone? Is it natural or is it not? And why is this question important? This is a genuine concern, especially for people and designers who want to balance aesthetics with maximum value.
So, this blog is written to help give you an insight in understanding the material/product you’re working with and help make a choice based on your needs and preferences.
Natural Marble
Marble is quarried from different locations in the world and each geography determines the colour, type, texture and veins in the stone.
Every stone is developed naturally over a span of millions of years, and hence, no two pieces can be identical, and the natural imperfections present, make them all the more beautiful and raw. Just take a walk through our gallery on OMR and you will get to witness some of the most beautifully curated slabs of marble, handpicked from the best quarries around the world.
Engineered Marble & Quartz
Cultured marble is made using pulverised marble mixed with synthetic resins and dyes that is later layered with a protective gel. So, technically it isn’t completely artificial since it is made using natural stone dust.
Marble Look-alikes
These are often tiles that take design inspiration from marble’s appearance. Though these tiles can quite literally imitate the colour, texture and pattern of marble, it cannot give the same feel of marble.
What sets them apart?
#1 Look
When you see a natural stone in a gallery, one can visibly and evidently see the shine it has. Comparing it to stone look-alikes, you can see that the surface of the product wouldn’t be as bright as that of a natural stone. The colour, hue, depth and patterns that a marble offers are visually stunning. The beauty of natural stones lies in the fact that even when cut through, you can see the patterns created by the veins still present. This allows for the design to be seen even in the edges of the product, which is especially beneficial for countertops. This is something that the look-alikes won’t be able to replicate.
Another important point to note is about the patterns. While every single slab you buy is different from one another, the same cannot be said for the look-alikes. In fact, the latter can only make so many variations of a pattern and hence the very individuality of the stone, is lost.
#2 Cost
A marble is a tad more expensive, and it’ll need consistent maintenance, which is more suitable for high-end residential and villa decoration, while a marble look-alike’s price and maintenance will be much lower. It is also important to note that, compared to natural stone, the weight of the natural look-alike tile is lighter, so the comprehensive cost involved in transportation of the products will be greatly reduced.
#3 Durability
In this test of longevity, natural marble is the clear winner. Many famous monuments and wonders of the world have been built using marble, and they are still standing strong to this very day. They are proof that all a marble needs is good maintenance and it will be able to stand the test of time. Whereas the maintenance of tiles is much easier but isn’t as durable as a natural stone.
#4 Installation
In this aspect, look-alikes stones are much easier to work with. Say for example, marble tiles are used for flooring in a bedroom, it might take about only one and a half working days to be installed completely. Some look-alikes are available in ready-to-install conditions too. But with marble, each slab must be carved and treated as per requirements to do the installation in the right manner, which is slightly more time-consuming, but definitely worth the final result.
Every material/product has its own advantages and disadvantages, sure! But ultimately, marble can offer much more than we know, when compared to a look-alike. Let us guide your way into the right material you need for your space, so that you can make the choice that is more suitable for your design.
Get an out-of-the-world experience by browsing through the best marble, granite, wooden floors, aluminum doors & windows, at the best prices in Chennai, only at COSMO.
