Why people replace cultured marble
Cultured marble is cast resin and stone dust with a thin, glossy gel coat on top. Over the years the gel coat dulls, yellows, crazes and cracks. Once it's worn through, polishing can't bring it back.
Why solid surface is the usual upgrade
- Color all the way through: no gel coat to wear off, so scratches and dull spots sand out.
- Same easy cleaning: big smooth panels with no grout, like cultured marble but tougher.
- Better looks: modern whites, stone and marble looks instead of the swirl patterns of the 80s.
How the job goes
- Measure and estimate: a visit to look at the shower and give you a written price.
- Tear-out: the old panels are removed and hauled away.
- Check the walls: old showers can hide water damage. It gets fixed before anything new goes up.
- Install: new solid surface walls are fitted, bonded and sealed, with cutouts for the valve and spout.
- Cleanup: fixtures back on, area cleaned.
Can I tile over cultured marble instead?
It's not a good idea. Tile adhesive doesn't bond well to the glossy surface, and you'd be covering up whatever is happening behind the old panels.
Next step
Call (530) 554-5592 or request a free estimate. We work in Winters, Vacaville, Davis, Woodland, Dixon and nearby towns. More on solid surface shower walls.
By Russell Dommer, RD Countertops & Showers, Winters CA. Updated October 2026.