top of page
278959013

5 Facts about Compressed Marble(Agglomerated Marble) You Should Know

Updated: Jul 11, 2021

As improving of Environment Awareness in whole global ,natural stone mining is decreasing each year.We have to admit that Engineered Stone is one of the best solutions as solid building materials! Especially compressed marble.There are 5 facts you should know about to update your plan in the future.


First, let's make clear what does #EngineeredStone include ?









Today we will discuss more about compressed marble.


We are going to analyze from below aspects :


Lobby Window and Floor with compress marble

Truthfully, a lot of people have seen #compressedmarble (also called #agglomeratedmarble) – many have actually stepped upon it, especially for those who live in big cities. Many luxury buildings use compressed marble as their floor material. But for the most part they only call it “marble”, when it is actually compressed marble.


1.What is the compress marble?

Portraying the elusiveness of technology, compressed marble differs from natural marble in terms of geological activities. It is a human-made creation built from small marble debris, stone powder colophony, plastic,and acrylic glue, mixed in a predetermined ratio. The concoction is stirred vigorously under vacuum and then kept under high pressure in a mold, to solidify, and form hard marble rocks.


2.What is the difference between Natural Marble and Compress Marble ?

white marble blocks in quarry and carrara marble slabs

#Marble is a metamorphic stone composed mostly of calcite. It is a form of limestone which has changed over the years owing to tremendous pressure and heat. While some marbles are pristine white, others have myriad color veins due to the presence of the various minerals present in the limestone.

Natural marble is a hard rock and is reactant to acidic substances; hence substances. Therefore, it changes its colors when exposed to such substances. Today, natural marble has popularity and applicability in modern interior design and decor, such as exterior walls, sculptures, kitchen, stairs, toilet, etc.



(1)Myriad of Colour Patterns

Natural marble has varied colors depending upon the presence of impurities in the limestone. Compressed marble, on the contrary, has versatile color and patterns, which enhances selection diversity.

(2)Maintenance

Natural marble is a precious stone with a high maintenance cost. It is a hard but brittle stone and can become discolored or chipped after a span. So, often it is recommended to have it resealed every six months.

Compressed marble, on the other hand, is a non-porous substance that requires lower maintenance and upkeep.

(3)Weight

As compared to the natural marble, compressed marbles are comparatively slimmer and lighter, thereby enabling portability with ease. Its light-weight makes it easier to install and enhances cost savings.

(4)Price

Natural marble is expensive as this is a premium stone whose cutting, quarrying, and availability make it costly. On the contrary, compressed marble is less expensive as it can be easily created in a quarry with a mix of few elements and solidified in a mold.


3.How many types for Compressed Marble ?

(1)Macro Agglomerate Compressed Marble

Macro Agglomerate Compress Marble Colors

(2)Pure Base Compressed Marble


pure base color compress marble in 6 colors

(3)3D Painted Compressed Marble


3D Painted Compress Marble

(4) SandBlasted Compressed Marble


Sandblasted compress marble pattern

(5)Carving of Compressed Marble


carving compress marble pattern

4.Procedures of Compressed Marble.

This is the very basic step-by-step process of making compressed marble:



(1)Selected marble boulders are crushed and sieved into various sizes.

(2)Marble granules are mixed with specially formulated polyester resin and compacted under vacuum by vibro-compression technology.

(3)Large marble blocks are produced and cured for a few days.

(4)Cured compressed marble blocks are sawed into slabs.

(5)Unpolished slabs are calibrated using digital automatic machines to ensure uniform size and thickness.

(6)Different stages of polishing are carried by automatic machines, the transformation process is closely similar to natural marble production.

(7)Cutting into required sizes by a laser machine to ensure dimensional accuracy.

(8)Final sorting, packing in cardboard boxes and stacking on wooden pallets before dispatch.


From this schematic you can clearly see how compressed marble is made:


Procedure of Compress Marble

5.What is the advantage of Compress Marble?

(1)Homogeneous body and re-polishable

compress marble advantages:Homogeneous body and re-polishable

Agglomerated marble is made of the same materials and the whole body is homogeneous. Gentle grinding and polishing after installation make the floor surface smooth and shiny. This same quality finish can still be achieved years after installation by re-grinding and re-polishing. The measurement of hardness (MOH) scale for agglomerated marble is slightly higher than natural marble. Thus, the tools and equipment used for polishing natural marble can be employed for agglomerated marble.

(2)Less effort required on dry lay


compress marble advantage :Less effort required on dry lay

Most end users especially in residential developments prefer to have a consistent color tone in the finishing work. Dry lay or pre-selection is not an uncommon practice when using natural stones. This is to minimize tonality and other issues inherent in the natural material. Dry lay is often a meticulous, time-consuming and labor intensive process, especially in large scale residential projects. Sufficient space is also required to carry out this process. Separate dry lay shop drawings based on layouts need to be prepared and the selected marble must be installed according to the numbered sequence to ensure consistent results.

(3)Less inherent imperfections in the surface


compress marble advantage :Less inherent imperfections in the surface

The inherent imperfections like open veins, tone variations and pinholes are common in natural stones. These imperfections are sometimes classified as “defects” by end users. In most situations, it is not easy to rectify these flaws, especially after installation. Much time and cost need to be spent to address such “imperfections”, apart from the inconvenience to end users. For this reason, dry laying is often necessary in natural stone works. A well controlled mechanism in the manufacturing process for agglomerated marble, together with the compressed vacuum technology will reduce concerns like pin holes and open veins in flooring.


Integrity Stone Co.,Ltd is an experienced and trustworthy Moon Grey Marble distributor and stone sourcing agent in Shuitou China, for quality marble slabs,granite paving tiles,terrazzo jumbo slab,Calcutta quartz slab,mosaic,etc.

Thank you for reading this blog about 5 facts about compressed marble ,wish it can bring some help.

For more info, please visit our website and WhatsApp us.







Recent Posts

See All

1 Comment


This is a really informative article! I didn’t realize how much of a difference there is between natural marble and compressed marble in terms of maintenance, weight, and cost. The fact that compressed marble is lighter and less expensive while still offering similar aesthetic appeal is a game-changer, especially for large-scale installations. I also found the production process fascinating—it's amazing how technology has evolved to make agglomerated marble such a practical alternative to natural stone. The ability to re-polish and the reduced imperfections are huge advantages too. This definitely gives me a better understanding of why compressed marble is becoming more popular in modern design. Thanks for sharing these insights!

Like
bottom of page