For over a millennium, marble has been a luxurious material beloved by artists and royalty worldwide. Because of its high status, marble is extremely popular as a classy countertop option for those with money to spare. It also has many advantages over other kitchen countertops, including natural temperature regulation that makes it perfect for baking and pastry prep.
However, marble has a dirty secret: the quarrying process has a huge environmental impact. Accessing these stones requires deforestation, which destroys natural habitats, while removing the marble creates dust that pollutes the soil and groundwater. Cutting and refining the marble further damages the environment as it is very energy-intensive.
Given these issues, many are seeking to replicate the look and feel of marble without its serious environmental impacts. One option quickly gaining momentum is engineered marble, which binds smaller pieces of marble together using resin. This article will explore the environmental impact of engineered marble, including its pros and cons, so that you can make an informed decision about your sustainable home remodeling.
What Is Engineered Marble?
Engineered marble is made of about 90% recycled marble chips with 10% resin. The marble chips are crushed into finer pieces for a smoother finish and then mixed with a liquid polyester resin. Engineers can also add tints and pigments at this stage to create a more unique look that matches the customer’s preferences.
Next, the mixture is poured into a mold that exactly matches the consumer’s specifications. Unlike natural marble, there’s no need to cut off excess or shape the sides: the mold will come out of the curing oven ready to go. The mold is then placed in the oven and heated until it hardens. Once cooled and removed from the mold, the engineered marble will be sanded to remove any imperfections, then covered with a clear finish. This finish can be glossy or satin, depending on the buyer’s preferences.
Cultured marble is a close cousin of engineered marble, but it uses less actual marble and more resin. This gives a more uniform appearance and makes it cheaper. However, those seeking custom countertops with that classy look would be best served by finding a great engineered marble installer, as this option uses more natural materials and more closely resembles natural marble.
Pros of Engineered Marble
This versatile material is a great budget-friendly option for marble aficionados, especially due to the fact that it uses materials that would otherwise be wasted.
Engineered Marble Uses Waste Materials
With natural marble, a lot must be removed to find that perfect piece. One only needs to think of a sculptor painstakingly chipping at a marble block to consider how much of this precious resource could be thrown away without engineered marble. By reusing smaller marble fragments, these countertops protect our natural environment without sacrificing style.
These Countertops Can Easily Be Repaired
The “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra also considers extending the lifespan of our existing possessions, which is easy with engineered marble. Because the countertop is made of smaller marble pieces bound by resin, it’s much simpler to fix cracking or chipping. You only need to match the color, create a new mixture, add more resin to fill the gap, and then refinish the surface.
Engineered Marble Saves Money Without Skimping on Functionality
Aside from sustainability, engineered marble offers advantages for your wallet, too. This countertop option is much cheaper than natural marble and can be customized according to your preferences, thanks to tinting and color additives. Its uniform structure also makes it smoother than naturally mined marble.
Engineered marble is water and stain-resistant, making it easy to clean. With proper maintenance, these countertops can withstand the test of time.
Cons of Engineered Marble
Of course, every material has its downsides, and that includes engineered marble. It is not 100% sustainable due to its use of synthetic materials, and these resins dampen some of the benefits of natural marble.
Engineered Marble Uses Resins, Which Can Cause Pollution
Resin is ubiquitous in the engineering space as a binding agent and sealant. However, producing resin causes some pollution, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs contribute to climate change and can also pollute groundwater near manufacturing plants.
It’s important to note that engineered marble uses less resin than other engineered countertops, including cultured marble and laminate countertops. This means that, although it isn’t quite as sustainable as something like 100% reclaimed wood countertops, it does lessen the environmental impact of your kitchen renovation.
The Manufacturing Process Reduces Some of Marble’s Benefits
Marble is beloved as a countertop material because of its temperature-regulating properties. Due to its densely packed molecules and high heat conductivity, it stays cold to the touch no matter the ambient temperature, making it perfect for pastry chefs who need to roll out dough.
While engineered marble has relatively high heat conductivity, it’s not quite as strong as unaltered marble. The resin also makes it less durable, and it may be more prone to chips or stains.
Engineered Marble Strikes a Balance Between Affordability, Environmental-Consciousness, and Aesthetics
The downsides mentioned, like heat conductivity and durability, are rarely a problem for the average cook who simply wants to make a great meal for their family. Engineered marble is much more affordable than natural, unaltered marble, and it uses materials that may otherwise be discarded, which improves its sustainability score. As such, this countertop may be the perfect option for those who want to be gentler on the environment while still creating a classy kitchen.
