Faux vs Real: All There is to Know About Marble Furniture

Quartz Stone Dining Table | The Kay

We all know that furniture is manufactured from a wide variety of solid materials – wood, plastic, metal, and many more. When it comes to kitchen countertops and tabletops, ones made of stone are a buyer’s top choice due to its durability and additional properties that will serve you for many years to come. Quartz, granite, and marble are just a few of the available stone furniture choices. Marble furniture is a popular pick in Singapore. A symbol of luxury, marble furniture is always in demand due to its elegance and classic look. This has led to manufacturers producing fake alternatives to mimic its look, inevitably causing customers to be unable to distinguish real marble from the artificially made ones. Here’s a full guide on marble furniture and how you can ensure you’re getting the real deal when out furniture shopping.

How is Artificial Marble Tops Made?

It is said that the beauty of marble is incomparable. An eye-catching conversation piece, marble furniture comes in an array of beautiful natural colours and design that is sure to complement any modern home, elevating the visual appeal despite being comfort-focused design furniture. However, its beauty does not come cheap. The more flawless or unique the natural pattern, the more expensive it gets. From stone wastage to the inability to utilise offcuts from quarried blocks, some manufacturers are now using low-quality marble instead to make profits.

Marble Paper Rolls

Artificial marble tops have defective marble as its base. Veins and variegations that are typically unique to the stone are substituted with printed foil stuck over a defective base. The bedazzling shine is attained when the top is doused with a gloss, offering limited protection.

How to Spot Artificial Marble

If you are considering purchasing a modern marble stone dining table or other furniture, there are a few things to look into to spot if it is the real deal or not. For one, marble is always cool to the touch as it is a dense and hard stone that dissipates heat very quickly , artificial marble on the other hand does not feel cool due to the paper foil and thick protective coat over its surface. It also tends to be temporarily glossy due to the thick coat of lacquer that is prone to wear and tear. These cheaper alternatives also tend to be overly consistent in its design which is not the case with genuine marble from nature.

Disadvantages of Faux Marble

Beyond the lowly visual aesthetics and dated look of an artificial marble stone dining table supplemented by its “plastic look”, there are other disadvantages of these faux alternatives. Hard to maintain with its plasticky gloss layers that do not withstand scratches and heat from your pots and pans, all for a relatively huge price tag, it is best to think twice before purchasing faux marble dining tables or coffee tables. Once damaged, it cannot be repaired.

The Battle of Stone Furniture: Marble vs Quartz

The Kay Quartz Top Dining Table

Set your eyes on stone furniture but not sure which stone material makes the best top? Quartz stone furniture like dining tables is a great material to consider. Quartz furniture and marble differ in terms of their cost, durability, appearance, and maintenance requirements. Though marble makes a luxurious dining top, it is not a common choice due to its porosity that leaves awful stain marks when wine or coffee is spilled onto it. Compared to a standard marble stone dining table, a quartz stone dining table will probably cost less. Therefore, if you are looking for a wallet-friendly modern stone dining or coffee table that will allow you to venture out of the safe wood coffee table, Quartz is just for you!

Being a manufactured product, it only makes sense that that the material has been engineered to be more robust and sturdier. Generally more durable due to its non-porous and stain-resistant properties, Quartz is maintenance-free – only requiring a quick clean with a damp cloth.

Looking for the best selection of Quartz furniture and other stone furniture that is made from genuine materials? Cellini has you covered! Visit our showrooms and keep a lookout for the best deals.