What is artificial marble? Let's learn about the artificial marble and its anti-yellowing measures.

1-1. Solidified resin material

祐天寺の住宅Ⅰ　/　House in Yutenji Ⅰ ( architect：Daisuke Matsui )

Artificial marble is a material made of acrylic, polyester, or other resins that are hardened and shaped in a factory. In addition, pigments for color and aggregates for patterns are sometimes mixed in. It is used for kitchen worktops, vanity counters, sinks, and bathtubs.

1-2. High durability and low price

Artificial marble is more durable than natural marble. Natural marble becomes cloudy when it is wet, and deteriorates when exposed to acidic or alkaline foods or seasonings. However, resin, the material of artificial marble, is not damaged by water or foods.

Natural marble is also very expensive because of the limited places where it can be extracted and the time and effort required to process it. Resin, on the other hand, is a widely available material and is not particularly expensive. Artificial marble is not an imitation of natural marble, but rather a completely different material that eliminates its shortcomings.

2-1. Luxurious

Artificial marble is a very luxurious material. In particular, products that reproduce stone grains and marble patterns have an atmosphere very close to that of natural marble. Other materials, such as stainless steel used for kitchens and FRP for bathtubs, seem less massive than artificial marble.

While there are some home designs that fit those tastes, artificial marble is the best choice for a more elegant and luxurious atmosphere.

2-2. Fits in to variety of rooms

東村山の住宅　/　House in Higashimurayama ( architect：Daisuke Matsui )

Artificial marble comes in many colors and patterns, making it suitable for a variety of room designs. White artificial marble matches a wide range of rooms, from those with a modern taste to those with a natural wood feel.

Gray and black artificial marble will also make a chic, calm room or a sharply designed room more stylish. Artificial marble is unique in that it can fit in any room while adding a sophisticated atmosphere.

2-3. Various shapes can be made

Artificial marble is made by pouring resin into a mold, so it can be shaped in a variety of ways. Therefore, it can be used not only for flat surfaces such as kitchen worktops, but also for curved surfaces such as kitchen and washbasin sinks and bathtubs.

Natural marble can also create curves and unevenness, but it requires a high level of skill and is even more expensive. The ability to create high texture in various areas at an affordable price is another major advantage of artificial marble.

3-1. Easily scratched

Artificial marble is soft and easily scratched. This is a characteristic of the resin used to make the material, and is inevitably inferior to the hardness of natural marble.

However, although natural marble is scratch-resistant, it can chip or crack when hit by heavy, hard objects such as pots and pans. The same is true of artificial marble, but natural marble, which is harder, is more labor intensive and expensive to repair.

3-2. Different from natural marble texture

祐天寺の住宅Ⅰ　/　House in Yutenji Ⅰ ( architect：Daisuke Matsui )

Natural marble can be carefully polished to produce a smooth texture and a brilliant luster. However, artificial marble, which is made of resin, does not have the same texture as natural marble, even when polished. There are artificial marble products that realistically reproduce the grains and marble patterns of natural marble, but it is difficult to reproduce the transparency and depth of natural marble.

Again, artificial marble is not a reproduction of natural marble, and it should be considered a different product.

3-3. May stain or fog

Artificial marble can become stained if stains are left untreated. This is because the surface of artificial marble has numerous tiny holes that are invisible to the eye. Therefore, when condiments or other substances get on the surface, wipe them off as soon as possible.

Scrubbing with abrasive cream cleansers or abrasive sponges in an attempt to remove stains may cause the luster to fade and the surface to become cloudy. Be careful not to scrub with such items, and use a soft cloth and mild dishwashing detergent when removing stains.

4-1. Acrylic

Compared to polyester, acrylic artificial marble is stain-resistant and has a smooth surface that is easy to clean. Its transparent appearance is similar to that of natural marble, and it looks more luxurious than polyester-based marble, which does not produce a glossy finish. It is also easy to shape into various forms and is used for kitchen and bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and other applications.

4-2. Polyester

Polyester-based artificial marble is widely used for furniture tops in addition to equipment because of its reasonable price. However, it is softer than acrylic, so it is easily scratched, and if hot pots or pans are placed on it, they may become discolored. In addition, it is easily affected by ultraviolet rays and may turn yellow after prolonged use.

Since kitchen and other home fixtures will be used for a long time, it is advisable to choose acrylic artificial marble as much as possible.

5-1. Close to natural marble

Terrazzo is made by mixing crushed natural marble with resin or cement. Compared to artificial marble, which is made almost exclusively of resin, terrazzo has a more distinct grain and pattern, making it look more like natural marble.

5-2. Making curves is difficult

成城コートテラス｜Seijo Court Terrace ( architect：Yasumi Taketomi )

Terrazzo is hard with many of the components of natural marble, making it difficult to create curves such as those in sinks and bathtubs. For this reason, it is often used in the form of plates and is used for kitchen and washbasin worktops, hotel reception counters, and flooring materials.

5-3. Higher price

Terrazzo is more expensive than artificial marble. This is due to the use of expensive natural marble as a material and the additional work involved in mixing and carefully polishing the materials. In descending order of price, natural marble > terrazzo > artificial marble.

[Column] What is Corian, which AICA Kogyo also handles?

A typical artificial marble product is Corian, which was developed by the U.S. company DuPont. Corian is an acrylic artificial marble, but it uses methacrylic resin, which is more transparent than ordinary acrylic resin.

It is even said to allow light to pass through due to its high transparency, and is sometimes used for artwork. It is also extremely durable and is used for outdoor monuments and benches, and its high quality has made it so popular that it is sold in 130 countries around the world.

In Japan, kitchen manufacturers such as Kurinap offer Corian worktops and sinks. You can also purchase components from Corian's Japanese subsidiary or AICA Kogyo, which handles laminated panels for construction. For example, you can have your kitchen custom-made and use Corian worktops.

If you want to use a higher quality artificial marble, please consider Corian.

6-1. stainless steel

木箱 kibako ( architect：Ryu Mitarai )

Compared to artificial marble, stainless steel is more resistant to stains. It is also resistant to heat and rarely leaves marks even when hot pots or pans are placed on it. The cost of stainless steel is lower than that of artificial marble, but the cost may be the same as that of artificial marble for products with high-end finishes such as embossed or hairline patterns.

However, if a hard object strikes it, it will be dented, and if a pan or other object is dragged across it, it will have minor scratches. Dents in particular are difficult to repair, so care must be taken not to drop anything.

6-2. enamel

Enamel is a material made of glass baked onto a metal sheet and is used for kitchen doors and bathtubs. It is resistant to stains and heat, and is strong enough to be scrubbed with a metal scouring brush without damaging it. The glassy surface is smooth to the touch, making it an excellent material for bathtubs.

However, if scratches occur, it is necessary to re-coat the glassy surface, which is expensive. In addition, since special technology and dedicated equipment are required for manufacturing, the price is high and there are few manufacturers to choose from.

6-3. FRP

FRP is a plastic material made of resin mixed with glass fiber, and is mainly used for bathtubs and sinks. It is waterproof and strong enough to be used for boat hulls, and is also inexpensive.

However, because the surface is finished with paint, it does not have the same sense of luxury as artificial marble. It is also more easily scratched than other materials, and as the coating deteriorates over time, the color becomes dull and stains easily.

7-1. Clean with water and mild detergent

Artificial marble can be cleaned by wiping thoroughly with a wet dish towel. Sticky residue from seasonings can be removed by soaking a dish towel in neutral kitchen detergent diluted with water and wiping carefully. For acrylic artificial marble, you can also use alcohol spray for sterilization.

However, if condiments or other spills are left on the surface, they may become stains. Therefore, it is a good idea to get into the habit of wiping up spills as soon as they become dirty.

7-2. Yellowing and cracking can be repaired

If artificial marble becomes yellowed, stained, cracked, or chipped, it can be partially repaired. Yellowing and stains can be polished, and cracks and chips can be filled with resin to restore the original appearance, so there is no need to replace the entire worktop or sink.

However, scrubbing yellowing or stains with an abrasive cream cleanser will leave a cloudy appearance. Also, if cracks and chips are simply filled in, the marks will be clearly visible.

Therefore, if yellowing or other damage occurs, contact a professional repair company as soon as possible. An experienced one should be able to clean up the yellowing and cracks without leaving any marks.

7-3. Coating to prevent stains

If you want to keep your artificial marble clean, you can apply a coating to the surface. The coating creates a film on the surface of the artificial marble, making it resistant to stains, yellowing, and scratching.

Recently, more and more people are having their floors coated when they build a new house. Similarly, artificial marble worktops and sinks can be coated. Alternatively, there are countertops and sinks that have been coated from the beginning, so choosing such products is also recommended.

8-1. Kitchen that blends two interiors

広尾の住宅　/　House in Hiroo ( architect：Daisuke Matsui )

The kitchen worktop is off-white with a slight tint of color. It is located between the beige floors and walls and the white ceiling and back storage, blending the two interiors in a gradient.

8-2. Chic gray finish worktop

つづきまのいえ ( architect：Eitaro Satake )

This kitchen worktop is finished in a chic gray. The matte texture adds a luxurious feel and unity with the color of the kitchen doors and floor.

8-3. Worktop shaped to suit the user

西新井のリノベーション　〜柔らかい境界による自立した生活〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

The height of the stove is lowered so that a family member in a wheelchair can easily look into the pot. This is an example of taking advantage of the benefits of artificial marble, which can be freely processed to suit the user.

8-4. Gently curved kitchen

Ｍ邸新築工事 ( architect：Kuniji Tsubaki )

The edges of the kitchen worktop are processed into a soft curve, matching the gentle atmosphere of the wood-grained interior. The light beige tones also give a sense of warmth.

8-5. Integrated counter and sink

海が見える家 ( architect：Yohei Tanaka )

The vanity counter and sink are made in one piece, eliminating seams and making cleaning easier. The clean design also creates a very clean atmosphere.

8-6. Luxurious black finish

稲毛陵苑 ( architect：Eitaro Satake )

The deep black and stone grain give the vanity counter a very luxurious look. Artificial marble can be made in a variety of colors and patterns, making it suitable for a wide range of decor from chic to light.

8-7. Marble pattern like natural marble

MDCE ( architect：Eitaro Satake )

This vanity countertop has a natural marble-like marble pattern with a thin layer of marble. It adds a subtle sense of luxury to a simple design. The ability to freely adjust the shading of the pattern is one of the strengths of artificial marble.