A question we get asked a lot is does cultured marble work well for a shower? We might be a little bit biased, but we think a cultured marble shower is a great option for a shower. In this article today, we will give a comparison of a cultured marble shower to other types of showers that are typically used in a home. With this information we feel you will agree that cultured marble is a great option for your new shower or shower remodel project.
Common Shower Problems
First, let's talk about the common problems people experience with a shower:
- Mold - Nobody likes to talk about mold, but mold can exist wherever there is moisture and food for the mold to feed on. A shower definitely has the moisture and grout provides the food for the growth. In addition, if the shower surface is not completely sealed, water can leak behind the surface of the shower and cause mold growth to occur.
- Hard to clean - Soap scum is formed into a solid substance when soap is being used in hard water. On a scientific level, soap scum combines calcium and magnesium particles (ions) that are currently in the water with the soap, which forms into the soap scum substance. This formation is frequently caused by minerals in tap water that combine with soap and dirt to create a layer of scaliness over the surfaces in our bathrooms
- Frequent maintenance - Every surface needs to be cleaned to keep it looking like new, but some surfaces require more attention than others. There are also maintenance issues that regularly require attention and effort, such as cleaning and sealing grout.
How different shower options compare
We will focus on these three problem areas with cultured marble, tile and natural stone showers. We will also consider the cost of installing and maintaining the shower to keep it like new.
Cultured Marble Shower
The national average of a cultured marble shower is $1850 installed. This shower gets high marks because it is 100% sealed, easy to clean, and easy to maintain. To clean, simply wash with warm, soapy water, rinse, and squeegee it dry. Use a towel to dry the caulked edges.
Mold-resistant
Easy to clean
Low Maintenance
Tile Shower
The national average of a tile marble shower is $2617 installed. This shower type gets medium marks because of the difficulty to maintain. It's mold resistance is lower as well because of it's grout surfaces.
Mold-resistant
Easy to clean
Low Maintenance
Natural Stone Shower
The national average of a natural stone shower, such as quartz, is $4000 installed. This shower type gets medium marks because of the difficulty to maintain. It's mold resistance is lower as well because of it's grout surfaces.
Mold-resistant
Easy to clean
Low Maintenance
The cost of installing, maintaining, and cleaning tile and natural stone showers is nearly double that of a cultured marble shower. Now you can enjoy the elegant look of marble, granite, or even sandstone with the ease of maintenance that cultured marble has to offer. I invite you to come in and see how beautiful your cultured marble shower can be.