Can you please let me know if there is any disadvantages of getting a marble 'cast' fireplace as opposed to a solid marble fireplace? To me from the front they look exactly the same but there is a substantial difference in price!
Thanks
Hi Karsha,
By cast do you mean the imitation marble like a resin stone but polished to look like marble if so the only disadvantage is the look. They do look very authentic but the beauty of natural marble is that there are no two the same while the essence of manmade is that they all look the same. it depends what you want for your room. There are so many shades of cream marble in natural marble and its pot luck what you get and this can be an advantge or a disadvantge depending on your point of view.
Hi fmc,
The man that manufacturers these (Templestone Fireplaces, Co Waterford) says that he imports the marble powder and then custom makes these casts to whatever shape or colour you want - they look like a solid marble fireplace from the front and its only when you look behind do you realise that it is a cast ie hollow on the inside.
If I'm happy with the look would you recommend these from a durability point of view
Thanks
HI karsha,
I think I know the fireplaces they are of a similar set up to a welll know firm called Goppa or marstone or at least the production is. I dont think they would be as durable as say a natural marble but these are hollow inside the legs as well but the surround of a fireplace tends not to get as much abuse as the inset and hearth. Unless your gonna have a lot of kids hitting it with hammers etc I,d say it should be fine.Just check that it can be repaired in the event of a clamity but otherwise it should be fine.
Hi fmc,
I asked for some more detail re the materials used - he said he uses 80% marble powder & 20% resin - What do you think, is this a 'No-go'??
I was told that 'marfil' fireplaces would be made up of the same components - would this be true?
Thanks again
Hi karsha,
Dont know the proportions of the mixes but it certainly sounds fine I think I know the surrounds and they seemed fine last time I saw them at a show around 2 years ago. Just ensure that in the unlikley event of them getting hit chipped with something they can be repaired if they are the surrounds I thinks then they can be but just double check.