Which sink to choose: quartz agglomerate or cast marble

Usually the choice has to be made from these two proposals, if you do not take into account natural stone. The latter is relatively rarely used for the production of utilitarian household items, since it is an expensive and rather fragile material.

Stainless steel is the most common option, but sinks made of artificial stone successfully compete with it. Products made from it are somewhat more expensive, but this is the case when the price is completely justified. They are almost eternal, and their excellent design makes the kitchen interior especially interesting, even elegant.

What is the difference between quartz and marble?

Natural granite and marble usually have a gray color with some shades, while quartz agglomerate, thanks to the ability to add dyes, can be almost any color.

Interesting materials:

Where do bivalves live? Where do raccoons live in the USA? Where do Eskimos live in Canada? Where do vipers live in winter? Where do city gulls live? Where do lizards live in winter? Where do aliens live in The Sims 4? Where do Korowai live? Where do crocodiles live in water or on land? Where do bears live in winter?

Stainless steel sinks: pros and cons

The advantages of steel sinks include their low cost and relative strength. They go well with metal faucets, although the latter are increasingly made from ceramics. In addition to the price, other positive properties can be noted:

1. Resistance to aggressive household liquids, acids;
2. Easy to clean - they do not absorb dirt and do not stain;
3. They can withstand high temperatures (they are not afraid of a hot frying pan).

However, the quality greatly depends on the manufacturer, namely on the composition and thickness of the metal. If the sheet is thin (less than 0.8 mm), then it will sag under heavy dishes and dents will form on it. It is difficult to fix the mixer on such a panel. The stream of water that is turned on makes a fair amount of noise; over time, the shiny surface becomes dull, and it is impossible to return it to its original appearance. When choosing which sink is better, stainless steel or granite, you need to remember: steel products from well-known brands are very expensive.

1. A square steel sink is a familiar attribute of the kitchen.

A significant drawback of stainless steel sinks is monotony. The only thing that changes is their shape: rectangular, round, square. There is no need to talk about the color palette and decorative possibilities here.

What to look for when choosing?

In an effort to overtake competitors, manufacturers are constantly improving the composition and design of their products. Therefore, when choosing a sink for the kitchen, you need to carefully read the instructions included with it. It is worth paying attention to the following characteristics.

• The content of mineral chips should not be lower than 80%. More resin will reduce heat resistance and strength.
• The composition of the stone filler - the more quartz, the better the abrasion resistance. But at the same time, fragility will also increase: granite sand is optimal in this regard.
• Temperature range - this indicator varies widely, from 200 to 500 degrees (in any case, you should not put pans in the sink directly from the stove).
• Antibacterial and dirt-repellent additives - they improve the quality of the material, facilitate maintenance and extend the service life of the product.
• There are sinks on sale without a cut-out hole for the faucet; this can be useful, since the wing can be turned in any direction.

The problem of which sink to choose, and which is better, artificial marble or granite, is solved depending on how actively it is used. The choice is also influenced by the style of interior design, and when it is installed: during a major renovation, or an old sink is being replaced without the intention of radically changing the furniture and appearance of the room. One thing is good: there are many offers, and you can find an option that suits the price and quality.

Kitchen plumbing fixtures are typically made from various types of metal alloys to ensure strength and durability.

A successful alternative to metal as a material for making sinks is a quartz composite containing a small amount of binding and coloring components.

Kitchen sinks made of quartz are not inferior to stainless steel containers, and surpass them in many consumer properties. The new material has found a large number of supporters, its position in ratings assessing the quality of plumbing fixtures for the kitchen is actively increasing.

Product range

Modern technology has been perfectly mastered by manufacturers; as a result, there are products of various colors and sizes on the plumbing market.

In small studio apartments, sinks with a shallow depth, up to 45 cm, look organic. They are often oval in shape and cut into the countertop of the work area.

In large kitchens, you can install a product with a wing to place clean dishes. Options for sink orientation may be different, because manufacturers prudently do not make a hole for the faucet.

Large kitchen spaces allow you to install quartz sinks with two containers, which is very convenient. In one container you can put large dishes before washing or vegetables that are prepared for processing.

A variety of color and texture solutions allows each buyer to purchase a sink taking into account the interior of the kitchen; sellers will be happy to help you choose a faucet so that the work area looks organic.

Modern housewives increasingly prefer to choose quartz sinks for the kitchen; metal options are losing their popularity. The artificial stone sink has a pleasant appearance, is easy to clean and pleasant to the touch. Also, during operation there is no unpleasant pressing noise or rumble.

The product has a high level of strength. Dye is used to give a special color. A quartz sink must be covered with gelcoat. This is a special material that performs a protective function. Thanks to this layer, the surface of the product becomes more resistant to mechanical stress, and the level of durability of the sink increases.

It is easy to use, the protective layer fills the pores in the stone, which makes the surface of the product smooth and pleasant to the touch. Due to its smoothness, the product is easy to wash, and the protective layer prevents plaque. A quartz sink with a gel coat is durable and retains its original characteristics for a long period of time.

What are the disadvantages

Do not place dishes in quartz sinks that have just been removed from the burner. Contact with hot material from a pot or pan may leave a mark on the surface of the sink. In this property, stainless steel outperforms composite.

The surface of many quartz kitchen sinks is coated with a special gelcoat-based compound. As a result, a decorative protective layer is formed on the product, which can be easily washed off from dirt with a soft sponge and ordinary detergents.

The sink cannot be cleaned with metal brushes or abrasive powders due to the high probability of damage to the surface. For some users, such restrictions are a significant disadvantage; they are used to scrubbing the sink with scourers made of metal threads.

Note! The advantage of quartz sinks is their high strength, however, if a large cast iron frying pan is dropped onto it from a height of half a meter, mechanical damage may occur.

For many buyers, the most important factor characterizing a product is price. For quartz sinks it is rather large, which is a disadvantage for a large number of potential owners, so they choose stainless steel.

The desire to buy is strengthened by the opportunity to use a beautiful, original sink. It will serve for many years without losing its attractiveness.

Installing a heavy sink requires the participation of several specialists. If the product has a non-standard shape or size, then diamond cutters will be needed for installation. The process may take several hours, but the result will be enjoyable every day.

Composite kitchen sinks are not without some disadvantages; they have both pros and cons, so manufacturers and experienced users warn about the specifics of their use.

Review of materials and selection criteria

Stainless steel

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a sink is the material from which it is made. Its strength, reliability, durability and many other important characteristics will depend on this.

Today there are many models on the market made from a variety of materials, the most popular of which are:

• Stainless steel;
• Ceramics;
• Fake diamond;
• A natural stone;
• Various polymers and plastics;
• Non-ferrous metals;
• Enamelled black steel or cast iron.

Let us immediately note that the last two positions are in the least demand for quite objective reasons, since new materials confidently surpass them in characteristics. At the same time, the price of new materials, if higher, is quite justified; At the same time, it does not remove popular models from the sphere of financial capabilities of the general consumer.

Let's start the review with the most popular and affordable material for sinks today - stainless steel. This is an alloy of steel with an alloying metal - zinc or chromium. Today, for the production of kitchen sanitary ware, chromium martensitic steel grades AISI 304 and AISI 316L are used, which are completely safe and approved for use in the food industry.

Stainless steel sinks look great in a wide variety of interior styles, from country to high-tech and postmodern.

In addition, they have a number of characteristic advantages:

1. Affordable price . This is one of the most important criteria on the basis of which the products have become so popular;
2. Corrosion resistance . The material is not afraid of moisture, detergents, does not rust or change color;
3. Strength and elasticity . This type of metal, with its high strength, is able to withstand elastic deformations, as a result, falling dishes do not break;
4. Easy care . Washing and disinfecting the device does not cause any problems;
5. Easy DIY installation;
6. Excellent appearance , which is maintained throughout the entire life of the product.

Composite materials

The second place in popularity after stainless steel is occupied by composite materials, which are commonly called artificial stone. This material is somewhat more expensive than stainless steel, but has a number of significant advantages.

Artificial stone sinks, which are better?

To understand this, you need to imagine the technology of their manufacture. But first, let us note that artificial stone is a composite material, 80–90% consisting of sand and fragments of natural rocks. The binding mass is represented by acrylic resins with the addition of coloring pigments.

Manufacturing technology for “stone” sinks

The composite is obtained by mixing fine granite, quartz or marble sand with reagents that bind acrylic resins. The resulting mass is pressed and air bubbles are “squeezed” out of it. Different manufacturers add special components to it, trying to create a unique product.

For example, additives with silver ions give the material antibacterial properties, while hydrophobic impurities give it a “dirt-repellent” effect. Everyone has their own “know-how”, which is kept secret. There are two main technologies for the production of sinks.

• Cast products. The molten mass is poured into special molds, and they are coated with a special alloy - gelcoat, which forms a smooth, shiny surface. Such two-layer sinks are sometimes called “glued”, in contrast to a pure monolith. In the latter case, it has a homogeneous composition, and the surface is ground and polished.
• Bent forms. A “stone sheet” heated to a certain temperature is placed into the matrix, repeating its shape until a thin flat edge is created for connection with the surface of the cabinet.

2. Composite material with pink marble effect.

In terms of physical and mechanical parameters, products made by different methods differ little. To a large extent, the differences are due to the mineral composition of the filler and special additives. Therefore, the frequently asked question: which sink is better, granite or artificial stone, is not entirely correct. If granite chips are used in the mixture, then artificial granite is obtained, otherwise it will be “cast marble” or “quartz sink”.

3. If you order the sink and countertop from the same material, they will look like one whole, with virtually no visible seams.

Sink characteristics

When choosing a sink for your kitchen, you need to take into account all the pros and cons of the product.

This sink has a number of positive characteristics:

• Easy to care for;
• Resistance to mechanical damage and temperature changes, with the exception of products with a glossy surface, scratches may appear on it;
• Attractive appearance, suitable for any type of interior;
• The durability of the working surface thanks to the protective layer, the service life is at least ten years, with careful care of the product it increases several times;
• Safety, product manufacturing technology prevents the formation of harmful bacteria on the surface of the sink. Quartz kitchen sinks are made from natural material, so they do not emit harmful substances during operation;
• High level of strength;
• Easy to repair; if a scratch appears on the surface, it can be sanded using sandpaper. The chipped part of the product is glued with a special acrylic glue.

Advantages of a quartz kitchen sink

The sink and the adjacent surface, made of quartz composite raw materials, appeared on the market relatively recently, but managed to impress users with a combination of the following positive qualities:

• appearance reminiscent of natural stone;
• ability to absorb the noise of falling water;
• absence of loud sounds when washing dishes (not like in stainless steel);
• smooth, uniform surface;
• resistance to detergents;
• environmental friendliness;
• durability;
• ease of care;
• possibility of repairs.

Advantages of artificial stone products

Composite material based on natural stone chips has unique properties, and at the same time is significantly cheaper than natural analogues.

• Thanks to its dense texture, it is free of pores and cracks, absolutely hygienic, and does not absorb dirt and grease.
• The product can be given any design shape: oval, shell, or painted in an interesting shade.
• The durable surface holds polish for a long time, retains a beautiful appearance, and is easy to clean.
• Rare scratches can be sanded and polished, eliminating the damage without leaving a trace.
• Simple installation of the sink and adjustment to the countertop without gaps; no cracks form in them when drilling.