Drilling into Cultured Marble

Cultured marble is a beautiful substance and is a great addition to a kitchen or bathroom, or for other creative countertop uses you may have. Cultured marble is not true marble as we think of the stone, but is a combination of crushed limestone and fiberglass resin. It is then molded into shape. It is often molded exactly into the shape that is needed for an application, for instance, a standard bathroom sink.

This process guarantees you a proper and very tight fit. Cultured marble is made to look like actual marble but has many advantages over marble stone, along with the ability to mold it into the desired shape. It is lighter and therefore easier to maneuver when working with it.

Marble is brittle along the vein lines and can crack, while cultured marble is less fragile. It is also a hard, low porous material so it doesn't stain like marble, and it's easier to clean. It's simple to learn how to drill into cultured marble and it only takes a few tools. You will need to make proper measurements so it's useful to double-check your figures before beginning to drill.

Step 1 - Apply Duct Tape

Roughly determine where you want to drill your hole. Take a piece of duct tape and place it over this area. You will be drilling through this tape.

Step 2 - Measure

Measure exactly where you want to drill the hole using a tape measure, and mark it with your marker onto the duct tape.

Step 3 - Drill Hole

Securely place the bit or saw in your drill and prepare to drill. It is now a good time to use safety glasses, as bits of material may become airborne as you drill. At a 90 degree angle, apply light pressure and begin to drill into the cultured marble through the duct tape at the center of your mark. Cultured marble is easy to drill through, and you can use a standard drill bit instead of an expensive one. The key is that the drill bit should remain cool during the drilling process.

Step 4 - Reduce Heat Buildup while Drilling

For the most efficient drilling, you need to keep the drill bit cool. To reduce heat buildup you can to use a lubricant. Another way to reduce it, and to also reduce the friction between the drill bit and the material, is with a spray bottle filled with water. Simply spray water on both the drill bit and the cultured marble occasionally while working. When you're finished drilling you can use a rag or cloth to wipe up any water, lubricant, or debris. Carefully remove the duct tape.