All About Cultured Marble Tub-China marble tub

While fiberglass remains the most popular material when it comes to tubs, many homeowners looking to add some elegance and luxury to their bathroom spaces have begun opting for cultured marble. This material is known for its durability, beauty and low maintenance. It can also result in a much higher resale value for the home. See all you need to know about cultured Marble Tubs and their costs below.

All About Cultured Marble Tubs

Homeowners considering cultured marble should be aware that there are two options for making this happen: a cultured marble surround can be installed on an existing tub, or an entirely new tub enclosed by cultured marble can be purchased and installed. Typically, the latter option is a bit more expensive, but not significantly. Many homeowners actually choose this option because it allows them to enjoy a brand new tub in the process, which is not only great to enjoy but also works as a nice potential selling point for the home down the road.

Cultured vs. Uncultured Marble Tubs

Many homeowners who hear the term "cultured marble" assume it is the same thing as regular marble. However, this is not true. Cultured marble is completely man-made; it does contain real marble, but only in powdered form. The rest of the material is made out of poly-acrylic resins. In reality, the material is a non-porous hard plastic. However, it is significantly less expensive than its natural counterpart, uncultured marble, which typically runs up to $50 per square foot. Many homeowners who want to save money opt for cultured marble instead as most people cannot tell the difference anyway.

Advantages of Cultured Marble Tubs

Before making a decision and investing potentially thousands of dollars on a new tub, homeowners should begin by deciding whether or not cultured marble is the best choice for them. After all, there are pros and cons that come along with choosing such a material. By weighing these pros and cons in addition to the homeowner's budget and other needs, it is possible to make the right decision down the road.

The main advantage of a cultured marble tub is that it looks very luxurious and elegant in any bathroom space. In the housing market, updated bathrooms and kitchens are very important, and a cultured marble tub provides the finished and expensive look that many potential home buyers look for. Furthermore, cultured marble requires very little maintenance and upkeep since it is not very porous. As a result, it does not absorb moisture or stain easily. It is also resistant to mold and mildew growth, which is very important in a bathroom.

Disadvantages of Cultured Marble Tubs

On the other hand, cultured marble is more expensive than many other bathroom tub materials on the market. For example, a homeowner will typically spend between $10 to $35 per square foot on cultured marble, whereas porcelain or even fiberglass tubs typically sell for just a portion of that. Furthermore, cultured marble tub owners need to be careful when it comes to cleaning this material; many common bathroom cleaners, especially abrasive ones, should not be used on cultured marble. These abrasive cleaners can easily scratch the surface of the cultured marble. Fortunately, these scratches can usually be buffed out.

Caring for Cultured Marble

As mentioned above, culture marble is a great choice for tubs and showers because of its durability and the fact that it is not porous. As a result, it is very easy to care for. The cultured marble itself dries naturally after a hot bath or shower, so no care is needed at that point. From there, homeowners can clean the surface by simply spraying a non-abrasive shower cleaner onto it and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then, with a soft and wet terrycloth, the cleaner can be wiped away for a clean and shiny appearance.

Other Costs and Considerations

Homeowners considering cultured marble tub installation should be aware of not only the cost of the materials needed for the new tub, but the labor and installation costs as well. Typically, the tub and materials themselves cost about $1,500 to $2,000. Labor and installation runs between an additional $200 and $300, and the supplies and tools needed to make this happen are usually around $50. Most contractors will provide homeowners with a free estimate before beginning work or billing the customer, but it is still a good idea for homeowners to be aware of these average expenses. This way, they can make sure that they are not being taken advantage of.

It is also important for homeowners having new cultured marble tubs installed to be aware of other work that may need to be done in order to complete the project. Installation of a new tub only includes securing it into place and hooking up any necessary plumbing. It is always possible that new tiling and other cosmetic work will While fiberglass remains the most popular material when it comes to tubs, many homeowners looking to add some elegance and luxury to their bathroom spaces have begun opting for cultured marble. This material is known for its durability, beauty and low maintenance. It can also result in a much higher resale value for the home. See all you need to know about cultured marble tubs and their costs below.

All About Cultured Marble Tubs

Homeowners considering cultured marble should be aware that there are two options for making this happen: a cultured marble surround can be installed on an existing tub, or an entirely new tub enclosed by cultured marble can be purchased and installed. Typically, the latter option is a bit more expensive, but not significantly. Many homeowners actually choose this option because it allows them to enjoy a brand new tub in the process, which is not only great to enjoy but also works as a nice potential selling point for the home down the road.

Cultured vs. Uncultured Marble

Many homeowners who hear the term "cultured marble" assume it is the same thing as regular marble. However, this is not true. Cultured marble is completely man-made; it does contain real marble, but only in powdered form. The rest of the material is made out of poly-acrylic resins. In reality, the material is a non-porous hard plastic. However, it is significantly less expensive than its natural counterpart, uncultured marble, which typically runs up to $50 per square foot. Many homeowners who want to save money opt for cultured marble instead as most people cannot tell the difference anyway.

Advantages of Cultured Marble Tubs

Before making a decision and investing potentially thousands of dollars on a new tub, homeowners should begin by deciding whether or not cultured marble is the best choice for them. After all, there are pros and cons that come along with choosing such a material. By weighing these pros and cons in addition to the homeowner's budget and other needs, it is possible to make the right decision down the road.

The main advantage of a cultured marble tub is that it looks very luxurious and elegant in any bathroom space. In the housing market, updated bathrooms and kitchens are very important, and a cultured marble tub provides the finished and expensive look that many potential home buyers look for. Furthermore, cultured marble requires very little maintenance and upkeep since it is not very porous. As a result, it does not absorb moisture or stain easily. It is also resistant to mold and mildew growth, which is very important in a bathroom.

Disadvantages of Cultured Marble Tubs

On the other hand, cultured marble is more expensive than many other bathroom tub materials on the market. For example, a homeowner will typically spend between $10 to $35 per square foot on cultured marble, whereas porcelain or even fiberglass tubs typically sell for just a portion of that. Furthermore, cultured marble tub owners need to be careful when it comes to cleaning this material; many common bathroom cleaners, especially abrasive ones, should not be used on cultured marble. These abrasive cleaners can easily scratch the surface of the cultured marble. Fortunately, these scratches can usually be buffed out.

Caring for Cultured Marble

As mentioned above, culture marble is a great choice for tubs and showers because of its durability and the fact that it is not porous. As a result, it is very easy to care for. The cultured marble itself dries naturally after a hot bath or shower, so no care is needed at that point. From there, homeowners can clean the surface by simply spraying a non-abrasive shower cleaner onto it and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then, with a soft and wet terrycloth, the cleaner can be wiped away for a clean and shiny appearance.

Other Costs and Considerations

Homeowners considering cultured marble tub installation should be aware of not only the cost of the materials needed for the new tub, but the labor and installation costs as well. Typically, the tub and materials themselves cost about $1,500 to $2,000. Labor and installation runs between an additional $200 and $300, and the supplies and tools needed to make this happen are usually around $50. Most contractors will provide homeowners with a free estimate before beginning work or billing the customer, but it is still a good idea for homeowners to be aware of these average expenses. This way, they can make sure that they are not being taken advantage of.

It is also important for homeowners having new cultured marble tubs installed to be aware of other work that may need to be done in order to complete the project. Installation of a new tub only includes securing it into place and hooking up any necessary plumbing. It is always possible that new tiling and other cosmetic work will