If you like the look of marble, but cannot afford it for your sink, bathtub or spine, you may want to consider a less expensive alternative. Cultivated marble is a much cheaper option and looks like real marble. By learning how to cut cultivated marble with the right tools such as CNC router, you can install this beautiful material in your home without worrying about costs. Here we compare the similarities and differences between cultivated marble and real marble, and show you the best tools for cutting cultivated marble.
What is cultivated marble?
Cultivated marble is made from real stone particles and resins with a combination of dyes to create different colors and patterns. Unlike quarries, cultivated marble has the shape of plates for sinks, countertops, mudguards, bathtubs, shower walls and bathtubs.
These moulds are coated with a special gel that creates a transparent and very hard surface with a mixture of resin and stone particles. Once these pieces have hardened, they are removed from the moulds and polished to a matt or glossy finish, depending on preference.
Because cultivated marble products are poured, they can be manufactured in different shapes, with different edge treatments and sizes. The end product is a non-porous material that, unlike stone slabs, does not require joints or special maintenance. This means that by choosing cultivated marble, you can enjoy a shower, bath or kitchen option that requires no joints and no maintenance.
What is the difference between cultivated and real marble?
Real marble is a luxurious natural stone extracted from mines, while cultivated marble is a man-made piece, although it is closely related to real marble. The cultivated marble is made from a mixture of natural marble and synthetic dyes and resins. The manufacturing process is similar to that of onyx and quartz worktops. Nevertheless, cultivated marble has many more applications than its previous counterparts.
There are other differences between real marble and cultivated marble:
- Real marble is more expensive
- Real marble worktops have no backsplash or built-in sink.
- Real marble needs a seal, while cultivated marble is seamless.
The similarities between real marble and cultivated marble include the following:
- Both materials are sensitive to stains, scratches and cracks.
- Both must be cleaned regularly
- In case of damage, both can be repaired or overhauled.
The cultivated marble worktops always have built-in sinks and backsplashes in the same pattern and colour. There is no caulking or suffocation, only a thin rim and a flat bottom.
Natural marble worktops, on the other hand, are located under installed sinks and must be fired or poured to seal off the splash or flush area. There is no uniform veining or colouring because it is a natural stone material with the same pattern and colour on the underside.
By choosing cultivated marble instead of natural marble for your renovation or home improvement project, you save money without compromising the aesthetics and design of your project. Cultivated marble is one of the most affordable and elegant options on the market. In fact, these countertops only cost a third of the price of a real marble counter top, but they are more durable. This makes cultivated marble the best choice for homeowners.
Choosing the right tool for cutting marble canisters
There are many tools for cutting cultivated marble, from jigsaws to circular saws for kitchen worktops. Whichever tool you choose to cut cultivated marble, you will need to place a diamond or carbide grinding wheel on the machine to cut the piece properly. All tools and accessories listed here can be purchased from your local hardware store. Note that the area in which you are going to lay the marble determines the type of tool you need. For example, if you are installing a worktop in the kitchen, it is best to use a circular saw. Use a jigsaw for the sink and a cutter to smooth the edges.
For shower trays or bathtubs, the jigsaw and router are the most commonly used tools because they are easy to use in confined spaces. However, by far the safest way to saw a marble worktop is with a circular saw or grinder. You can even use an angle grinder or mount the sanding plate on a circular saw. The angle grinder is a particularly useful tool for cutting a zinc hole, as well as a circular saw for sawing a straight line and cutting a countertop.
Cutting of cultivated marble in 5 steps
Anything you need:
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Workbench or workbench
- Tape measure
- Highlighter
- Sandpaper
- Towel or sponge
- Tang
- Grinder or circular saw
Follow this step-by-step guide to get the best results:
Step 1: Measure the piece you want to cut. Plan your recesses at the bottom of the part using a marker.
Step 2: Turn the piece of cultured marble over where the pencil marks are visible and prepare for cutting by securing the piece to the work table with pliers to hold it in place.
Step 3: Now saw with a circular saw or sharpener along the pencil lines. To avoid damaging or crushing the workpiece, use a diamond or tungsten carbide sheet.
Step 4: Use 60 grit sandpaper to smooth the cutting edges to avoid scratching.
Step 5: If you have managed to cut the piece of cultivated marble and smooth the edges with sandpaper, you can wipe the cut piece with a damp towel or sponge.
For a live demonstration watch this video about cutting cultivated marble:
Completion
If you know how to cut cultivated marble with the right equipment, you save time and money. A circular saw or a grinder equipped with a stone blade cuts a piece of marble with extreme precision. Once your cultivated marble countertop or backsplash is installed, you’ll be happy to know that, unlike real marble pieces, it doesn’t need to be sealed or grouted.
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