Which sinks are better: artificial marble or quartz?

For many years, stainless steel kitchen sinks have not lost ground, but recently they have begun to be replaced by analogues made of artificial stone. The choice has expanded, but at the same time it has become more complex. Which is better, stainless steel or stone sink and why? The answers to all questions are in this article.

By accommodation type

It is also necessary to decide on the type of sink installation:

Overlays are the easiest option to install, but a rare option among sinks made of artificial stone. The sink is simply placed on a special cabinet, but there is a risk that water will get on the sides of the cabinet, and they, in turn, will swell and lose their appearance.
Mortise (glued-in) are one of the most popular models. To install them, you need to cut a hole in the countertop slightly smaller than the sink itself and insert it there. The joints are treated with sealant. Even a beginner can handle this installation. Another advantage is that such a sink can be installed on almost any surface of any thickness. But do not forget that kitchen stone sinks are quite heavy.
Integrated (under-table) - the most expensive, but also stylish options. The high cost is due to the heavy installation. In most cases, the sink is built into the countertop during custom manufacturing.

Drop-in sinks are the most common option. Thanks to the large selection of shapes and colors, it will still look original.

No. 4. Shape and size of artificial stone sink

The size of the kitchen sink is selected depending on the activity of its use and the area of the kitchen, and the second factor, as a rule, turns out to be decisive. But no problem! Even for a tiny kitchen you can choose a spacious and convenient sink.

According to the shape of the sink bowl, there are:

standard rectangular and square bowls are characterized by sufficient capacity and ease of installation;
Round bowls look more interesting, but they will hold fewer dishes or vegetables that require washing. It's simple: if a square sink with a side of 60 cm gives 36 dm2 of usable area, then a round sink with the same diameter gives only 28 dm2. If you have a dishwasher at your disposal, then you can afford the temptation of a non-standard sink shape. Round sinks will fit perfectly into an interior in Provence and classic styles, while square sinks will complement modern styles;
A rounded or trapezoidal corner bowl Such sinks usually cost a little more;
sinks of fancy shapes Made to order only. The main thing here is not to overdo it, because a sink is, first of all, a functional element.

As for the size , a standard sink has a width of 60 cm. If there is very little space, then you can find a more compact option with a width of 45-50 cm. Such sinks are often made deeper to compensate for their reduced width. If the countertop allows, then you can allocate 80-120 cm of space to the “wet” zone and use not one bowl, but several at once.

Repair

The advantage of composite sinks is that they can be repaired if any problems arise. For example, scratches, chips, cracks and even a fallen bottom.

Scratches

The simplest process is removing scratches. Everything is very easy if the surface of the sink is matte or at least semi-matte. If the first option, then you only need to purchase sandpaper of two grits:

240 - for stripping;
80 - for final grouting and polishing, thanks to which the stone will return its appearance.

If the stone is semi-matte, then you will have to use three grain sizes:

400;
600;
280.

There are only three stages that follow each other.

The most expensive option is a scratch on a glossy surface. In this case, only a grinding machine will help, which you can purchase yourself or contact a restoration specialist. Perhaps the second option will be better, since it will be difficult to choose the right attachments the first time, and you don’t want to spoil the product.

Cracks and chips

Such cases can be solved in two ways:

special repair kit;
a piece that matches the color.

The repair kit is a special composition that is applied to the damage, and after drying it is rubbed with sandpaper to a smooth surface without flaws. They are rarely found on sale, and it is also difficult to choose by color. But due to the correct selection, the defective area can then not be painted.

The same problem of color selection applies to finding the necessary piece for the resulting chip. With this piece you need to seal the hole in the sink, and then sand it with sandpaper or a sanding machine until it is perfectly smooth. Both options are quite complex, so it is better to contact a specialist in restoring artificial stone, who can easily select the required tone, and you can watch the process in the following video.

How to repair a chip

The sink burst

The sink has burst or cracked, or the bottom has fallen off - such problems occur only among owners of cheap sinks. Artificial stone is a very durable material that is not afraid of temperature changes and mechanical stress. If such a problem occurs, then all that remains is to dismantle the sink and take it to service under warranty. Perhaps the manufacturer will admit the defect and return the money.

It is worth noting that many professionals do not undertake the repair of acrylic sinks.

Dismantling

Usually, dismantling an overhead sink does not cause problems, since it is the simplest way to attach the sink. There is no way to remove integrated products with your own hands - you just need to call a specialist. But questions arise about mortise models.

If all the fasteners and seals can be removed in the same way as they were put on, then the question remains with the silicone sealant, which grabs tightly and does not allow the sink to move even a millimeter.

The solution is simple - you need to take a thin clerical knife and trim the sealant, and then, if possible, remove it. After this, dismantling the sink made of artificial stone will not present any difficulties.

There is a more interesting option. Removing a stone sink at home using a jack. You can watch the video for more details.

Removing the sink with a jack

No. 7. The best manufacturers of artificial stone sinks

Remember the saying that the miser pays twice? So, in the case of composite sinks, this rule works win-win. Anyone who wants to save money and buys an inexpensive product, after just a few months of use, encounters a lot of problems and runs to the store again, but this time he buys a more expensive sink, taking into account the bitter experience. Learn from other people's mistakes! Trust only the products of large manufacturers who provide a guarantee for their products and are responsible for their quality with their own reputation.

We recommend choosing products from the following manufacturers:

Shock – German sinks, which are 85% granite (Kristalite material), are of the highest quality and are available in a decent range. There are products of different colors and shapes, with two bowls of different configurations. Special mention should be made of compact models, as well as sinks of bright colors. All products are made in Germany, they are strong, durable, resistant to scratches and bacteria. The manufacturer has a lot of innovative solutions. Particularly noteworthy are sinks with built-in lighting;
Franke is a German manufacturer that produces a range of kitchen appliances and accessories. The sinks here are made of 80% granite and 20% acrylic - the ideal formula. The patented Fragranite material copes well with loads and retains its original appearance for a long time. Sinks are made in 9 colors and a huge variety of shapes;
Longran is an international brand that has been represented on the domestic market since 1999. The sinks here are made from Lonstone composite, which is 80% granite and can withstand temperatures up to +2800C. The products have a stylish design, are manufactured in factories in Italy, Turkey and India, and have all the necessary certificates;
Blanco – a German company that produces sinks made of Silgranit material. It is 80% granite, so it is not surprising that sinks can withstand temperatures up to +2800C, are resistant to scratches, dyes, sunlight and other influences. The design is also excellent;
Teka is a German company that makes sinks from Tegranit Plus. The material consists of 70-80% granite chips, 19-24% acrylic binder and 5% pigments. The products are presented in 8 shades and a wide range of shapes and sizes, withstand high temperatures and mechanical stress;
Polygran-M LLC is a domestic company that produces sinks under the Polygran and Tolero brands. With fairly high quality and a varied assortment, the manufacturer offers competitive prices;
Granfest is another large domestic manufacturer that has been on the market for more than 15 years. The company's product range features a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. The manufacturer boasts its own design bureau and modern technical equipment;
You can also recommend products from companies such as Benthor, Lemark, Omoikiri, lGranFest, Florentina and Smeg.

A counterfeit of a well-known brand or simply a low-quality product can be recognized by poor packaging. Regular companies pack sinks in boxes made of thick cardboard with stiffening ribs that securely fix the product. The packaging has the name of the manufacturer, sometimes a holographic sticker. The fake will be packed in a flimsy box made of thin cardboard without identification marks.

Another sign of low quality is problems with geometry, which is easy to check using a regular tape measure. A good sink will have walls 9-12 mm thick and its surface will be uniform. It is advisable to buy a car wash from official dealers, large showrooms and stores.

No. 9. Artificial stone or stainless steel – which sink is better?

The main competitor to artificial stone sinks are stainless steel bowls. It is difficult to say unequivocally which product is better. Stainless steel sinks are several times cheaper, very strong and durable, and are not afraid of temperature changes and contact with hot objects. They harmonize perfectly with metal faucets, but do not have a wide choice in terms of colors. Stainless steel quickly becomes covered with small scratches (they cannot be removed), traces of drops are clearly visible on it, and the noise of falling water makes many people nervous.

A sink made of artificial stone outperforms its stainless steel counterpart in terms of the number of available colors and ability to absorb sounds. But it costs more and weighs more, and on cheap products there may be traces of contact with hot objects.

No. 2. Artificial stone sink: pros and cons

A sink made of artificial stone is a serious competitor to stainless steel products, and you will understand why after reading the list of main advantages:

high strength . In this parameter, artificial stone is superior to its natural counterpart and even concrete, so don’t let the accidental fall of a fork, knife or iron utensil scare you - nothing will happen to the sink. Deformations, bends and cracks from mechanical loads will not occur on the product, however, scratches may appear on glossy surfaces if used incorrectly over time;
resistance to low and high temperatures . The material retains its properties in the range from -30 to +180...2800C, and sudden temperature changes will not cause cracks;
hygiene . The surface of the sink made of artificial stone is devoid of pores, so there is no place for dirt to accumulate. No dirt - no harmful bacteria, slippery coating and unpleasant odor;
resistance to chemically aggressive substances and ease of maintenance. You can use any means to clean the surface, and maintenance itself will be easy, since dirt does not linger on the smooth surface. Research shows that composite sinks are not affected by hydrochloric and phosphoric acid, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and iodine solution, and only high concentrations of acetone and nitric acid can leave marks on the surface;
durability _ Most manufacturers provide a 1-2 year warranty on artificial stone sinks. There are companies that provide a 5-year warranty. The minimum “shelf life” of the product is 10 years, and if the operation is correct, the sink will last many times longer. Throughout the entire period of use, the product retains its original color;
sound absorption . Stainless steel sinks make a loud, annoying sound when drops of water fall on them, and even manufacturers’ inventions with a layer of sound insulation under the sink cannot help. Such problems will not arise with a stone product - the water will fall silently;
maintainability. If scratches do occur on the surface, they can be easily removed with regular polishing;
the material does not conduct electricity , and this is important for ensuring safety in a room where there is humidity and an abundance of household appliances;
a huge variety of colors and shapes, chic appearance, pleasant to the touch surface. Sinks made of artificial stone imitate the appearance of many natural rocks; they can be of almost any shade, and the paint does not wear off over time, since the dye is added to the mixture. The type of surface, the size of the bowl and its shape also differ widely, so choosing a suitable sink will not be difficult, and if ready-made options are not suitable, then you can always create a product with an individual design. We recommend the AmigoStone service, which works on the principle of an exchange: you just need to create an order and select the most advantageous offer from contractors who will produce stone sinks and other products from natural and artificial stone according to your requirements.

Artificial stone sinks cannot be called ideal - they have some disadvantages :

price , which is on average twice the cost of a similar stainless steel sink;
sinks made of composite, although they weigh less than their counterparts made of natural stone, are still quite heavy , and this leads to problems during transportation and installation;
It is better not to place very hot objects on the surface of the sink, otherwise a white mark may remain. It is better to use special stands. Products from major manufacturers can withstand temperatures up to +2800C, so there will be no problems with them. It’s generally better not to take risks with cheap products - they are afraid of temperature changes. The temperature that the material can withstand is indicated in the product passport;
when very heavy objects fall, cracks or chips may appear, but such cases are rare;
if something happens to the sink, which is combined with the countertop, you will have to replace the entire countertop. Interestingly, it is precisely such combined products that are damaged most often.

The market is full of counterfeits of composite sinks, and there are also low-quality products from unscrupulous manufacturers, so there is still a risk of buying a product that will only cause negative impressions. By the way, the Internet is replete with them. Buy products only from trusted manufacturers, which we will discuss below.

No. 8. Features of care

If you treat the product with care, it can indeed last for decades. Caring for a composite sink is easy:

the main thing is to start monitoring the product from the moment of installation;
every time after use, the walls and bottom of the bowl must be rinsed with water and preferably wiped dry;
Once a week the product must be cleaned with detergent;
It is better to place dishes that are too hot on stands;
Cheap sinks are afraid of temperature changes, so when draining boiling water, turn on cold water.

How is quartz composite made?

Excellent consumer characteristics of quartz material for the manufacture of kitchen sinks, which has almost no disadvantages in its properties, are ensured by the implementation of the following technological stages of production:

thorough mixing of the feedstock;
homogeneous mass casting;
molding products by pressing;
hardening by thermal load;
polishing surfaces.

The final stage is mandatory monitoring of quality indicators, preparation of a conclusion on the absence of disadvantages or defects in the product.

Some consumers do not see the difference between artificial quartz and artificial acrylic stone, believing that their composition is similar. In fact, the quartz composite used to make kitchen sinks contains a predominant portion of natural, non-porous silica. This is a huge advantage to the properties of the raw material. There is no natural component in acrylic stone, which is a big disadvantage.

No. 6. Artificial stone sink mixer and accessories

The mixer is matched to the sink so that everything looks harmonious. Don't be alarmed if the sink and faucet from the same collection are slightly different in color. Manufacturers allow a difference of 1-2 tones, attributing this to the nuances of technology. If the sink is made by casting and turns out to be one piece, then the coating is applied to the faucet using the spraying method. However, it is not necessary to choose a matching faucet - you can opt, for example, for a chrome version.

As a rule, the hole for the faucet is already in the sink, but if you need to create an additional hole, you can simply use a diamond-coated drill - you won’t have to look for a model with the exact required number of holes.

As for the rest of the accessories, their set does not differ from what is purchased for a stainless steel sink. For example, the product can be equipped with a waste shredder. A specific attribute for a composite sink is a special metal mesh , which may be needed if you purchased an inexpensive product and are afraid of the consequences of its contact with sharp and hot objects. In addition, such a mesh will make it more convenient to wash vegetables and fruits. You can also purchase special cork stands that will protect the sink from exposure to hot objects.