Kitchen sink made of artificial stone - 8 tips for choosing

A kitchen sink made of artificial stone has the most controversial “reputation”. Sometimes they are called the best, and sometimes they are called the worst of all. For example, users often complain about indelible stains, chips, scratches and even... a falling off bottom.

• Confusion in concepts is largely to blame for the conflicting reviews. After all, “artificial stone” is often called both acrylic stone and granite/quartz agglomerate. Meanwhile, these two materials are very different from each other despite their external similarity.

In this article we will look at different types of artificial stone, compare this material with ceramics and stainless steel, and also give some tips on choosing and using “stone” sinks.

Tip 2. The optimal ratio of stone chips and binder base is 80:20

Any artificial stone consists of a mineral component (granite or marble chips) and a binding component (polymer or acrylic resins). The quality of washing directly depends on their percentage in the composition. Each manufacturing material and patented name. For example, Franke called his “stone” fragranite, Blanco – silgranite, Teka – tegranite, and Omoikiri – tetogranite. How do you know which composite sink is better?

• They say that the more stone chips and less resins in the material, the better. However, not everything is so simple here.

The fact is that the more stone chips in the material (for example, 85%) and the less binder, the more resistant to scratches and high temperatures the sink will be. But at the same time it becomes less impact resistant. And vice versa: sinks with a predominant binder component are more impact-resistant, but less resistant to scratches and contact with hot dishes/boiling water. Therefore, you should choose a sink made of artificial stone based on your needs. If you rarely use heavy cookware, then it makes sense to choose a model with a high mineral content.

• Do you want to choose the average option? Look for a sink in which the proportion of stone chips is 80%, respectively the proportion of binder and additives is 20%.

No. 3. Colors and surface types

Thanks to the introduction of colored pigments into the mass, you can get a sink of any shade, but usually manufacturers paint products in natural colors. The most popular sinks are white, black and beige . Some companies also produce brighter products in pink, green, blue and other colors . When made to order, the product can be of any shade.

Sinks are rarely single-colored - usually they have a specific pattern applied to them, which is designed to imitate a natural surface. It really looks natural. As a rule, manufacturers' collections include sinks of 6-12 different colors. The choice, of course, is yours, but keep in mind that products with a pattern of stone or crumbs are easier to care for , since minor dirt is not visible on them. From this point of view, light sinks with black speckles, and dark sinks with light splashes, would be ideal.

Since natural stone often has a matte surface, its artificial counterpart usually receives the same type of surface. If you want something more interesting, then pay attention to products with a glossy and silky-matte surface, as well as products made using shagreen and antique techniques. The structural surface of the sink will create the feeling that the bowl is carved out of a block of stone.

Tip 6. DO NOT buy a “stone” sink if...

Here are 3 cases when you should choose a stainless steel model instead of an artificial stone sink:

• If you want to purchase a sink paired with a shredder. The fact is that due to vibrations and the weight of the chopper itself, the sink can crack (especially acrylic ones). In this case, it is better to choose stainless steel.
• If you are used to accumulating dishes in the sink, for example, for washing in the dishwasher. Stagnant water, liquids and pieces of food leave a residue on the bottom and sides of the bowl.
• If practicality is your priority over aesthetics, only a stainless steel sink will give you the opportunity to:

1. Drain the boiling water without turning on the cold water;
2. Shake off any remaining food from a fork or spatula against the side of the bowl;
3. Place hot dishes on the sink drain;
4. Do not wash dishes immediately.

Rules of care

To keep your sink always looking like new, you need to use it correctly and take care of it regularly. Follow the rules:

• Start care from the day of installation;
• After washing the dishes, go over the walls and bottom with a sponge and detergent and rinse them with water. Then wipe dry;
• To place hot dishes, use metal or wooden trivets;
• To prevent cracks from temperature changes, turn on cold water before draining the boiling water.

Tip: If you don’t want to dry your sink often, buy a white, beige or variegated sink. Water will also leave a light salt coating on them after drying. But on light and variegated surfaces they are lost. Then care comes down to washing the sink only once a week.

Comparison of sinks made of artificial stone with sinks made of stainless steel, ceramics and natural stone

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Benefits of Marble Sinks

Marble-based composite sinks have a number of significant advantages that make them especially popular among users:

• easy to clean, hygienic and environmentally friendly, does not absorb odors, and can be easily cleaned with a soft cloth;
• are particularly resistant to mold, fungi, and acid-base effects;
• comfortable use due to the absorption of noise from water and dishes;
• solid, expensive and luxurious look;
• high strength indicators that exceed the characteristics of natural stone;
• more affordable than sinks made of natural marble, since they are made from production residues;
• if the surface is damaged, such as scratches or chips, you can easily fix them yourself;
• resistance to fading and warmth of the material - marble bowls are warmer than quartz.

If we compare marble with quartz, then purchasing from marble chips requires less expense than quartz. And the color variations of marble sinks are much wider.

Advantages of quartz sinks

Quartz and sinks made from this material have many advantages:

• high noise-absorbing ability, so when washing there are no loud sounds of dishes or the noise of falling water;
• complete external resemblance to natural stone;
• the surface is uniform, smooth, easy to clean and maintain;
• the protective surface provides quartz with special resistance to detergents and cleaning agents, temperature changes, and mechanical damage;
• the material is environmentally friendly and durable;
• In case of damage, it is possible to repair and completely restore the sink - the chip is easily glued with acrylic compound, and the scratch is sanded with sandpaper.

If you compare, which is better for a kitchen sink - marble or quartz, products made from the latter are more durable. Quartz sinks are made by copying the textures of many natural stones, even semi-precious ones.

Peculiarities

Today in stores you can find many options for sinks to suit every taste, color and budget. Lovers of original solutions are increasingly purchasing products made from natural or artificial stone. First of all, such specimens are distinguished by a rich and presentable appearance. A high-quality sink made of stone or stone-like can transform the decor of the bathroom, giving it a special chic and shine.

High-quality sinks made of polymer concrete or cast marble are made using a special vibratory casting technology. The listed materials contain epoxy resins that perform a binding function. In addition, such raw materials contain fillers in the form of fine crumbs. The final components are quartz or granite.

Coloring components are also added to the polymer mixture. Thanks to similar ingredients, a marble sink can be painted in any shade.

As for natural marble, it is worth noting that it can be easily processed, and this allows you to make objects of various shapes from it. Natural marble sinks are characterized by unrivaled design, strength and durability. However, the cost of such products cannot be called democratic.

Plumbing fixtures made from marble have a smooth and pleasant surface with an unobtrusive shine. Marble often contains admixtures of other minerals, which gives the stone a more interesting and unusual color interspersed with yellow, red, black or green.

Do not think that products made from artificial marble are worse than natural options. High-quality imitations last just as long and have the same attractive appearance. In some respects, non-natural sinks are even better than natural models. For example, natural stone can withstand only modest loads when impacted or dropped. Polymer options are more difficult to damage.

Single-chamber granite sink or double-chamber?

This is a question everyone should ask, regardless of the size of the kitchen. Granite sinks have different chamber sizes. One chamber is a universal option, while the other sink can be narrow and serve as a segregation place for washed vegetables or clean dishes. When designing your dream kitchen, you should also consider whether a corner granite sink will fit in it. This is an ideal option, especially for small kitchens, as it can easily save space.

Reviews

• Marina, 36 years old: “ On the advice of a friend, I bought a granite sink, I’ve been using it for more than six months now. There are no complaints or comments about the product, everything is just wonderful!”
• Svetlana, 24 years old: “My parents gave the apartment as a wedding gift, began to slowly furnish it, and the first thing they bought was this equipment: either wash your hands after renovation, or rinse the coffee maker. All the dirt is instantly washed off without a trace, and without any effort on my part!”
• Natalya, 47 years old: “Finally we decided to update all the kitchen furniture and equipment. We spent a long time shopping and choosing a headset and equipment that would fit it perfectly. We settled on the option of a granite sink - it matches the color scheme perfectly with my furniture. An excellent product: washes well, elegant and beautiful, but I want to warn everyone: you need to be careful with it, just like with other things made of porcelain stoneware.”

Should you install a quartz sink in your kitchen?

Quartz sinks have all the qualities and technical characteristics to be used in the kitchen. They are durable and stable, create much less noise during use, and the variety of shapes allows you to choose your own option for any kitchen interior.

The main thing is to make the right choice, study which material is best suited for a kitchen sink, and after purchase, properly care for the product. If you follow all the recommendations for selection and care, your stone sink will delight your owners for many years.

comparison table

The table clearly shows the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of both sinks. As for the cost, the minimum price threshold is indicated. The price of a sink depends on the size, popularity of the model, manufacturer rating and other parameters.

When purchasing a product, you should definitely read the certificate of conformity, which will serve as a guarantee of the quality of the wash. You can save on your purchase by purchasing items on sale. Discounts often occur during the summer holiday season and on New Year's Eve.

Disadvantages of a marble sink

Marble sinks have many disadvantages. Owners note several negative aspects of using such products in the kitchen:

1. Difficulties arise during transportation and installation due to the large weight of the products.
2. It is not recommended to use abrasive powders or brushes for cleaning.
3. If you unexpectedly place a hot cast iron dish from the fire into a marble sink, damage, permanent stains, etc. may occur.
4. The absorption of dyes leads to the fact that dyeing products can leave stains that are difficult to wash off on the surface: beets, coffee, etc.
5. If you throw a heavy object onto the sink with force or from a great height, cracks and chips will form.

Despite the disadvantages, marble sinks have features that distinguish them from products made from other materials.

Performance characteristics

Analyzing customer reviews, you can see: many claim that these products do not require frequent maintenance and are quite resistant to mechanical damage. The only surface on which scratches may appear, judging by the owners, is the glossy finish. An important property is resistance to critical temperatures. The sink will not be damaged at temperatures from -30 to 150 degrees.