Advantages and disadvantages of stone kitchen sinks. Features of the choice and operation of marble sinks: advantages and disadvantages, artificial and natural materials Which sink is better quartz or marble

The kitchen should be not only functional, but also comfortable and beautiful. At the same time, I would like not to spend a lot. Monolithic natural stone costs a lot. Therefore, a stainless sink for the kitchen was replaced by an artificial stone sink - we will describe its pros and cons in this article.

Artificial stone is a mixed material that includes several components:

Stone chips (granite, marble or quartz);
polymer for gluing crumbs;
Dyes are included in the composition in small quantities. With their help, the artificial material accurately conveys the natural shades of natural stone or is painted in other colors.

The ingredients described above include natural stone. So it's kind of natural. But acrylic stone can be called 100% artificial. This does not exist in nature. It is made from acrylic resins mixed with aluminum hydroxide and polymethyl methacrylate.

Important: From last component the strength of the kitchen sink made of artificial stone depends - reviews often contain information that the bottom of such acrylic sinks simply falls off. This means that the manufacturer took pity on polymethyl methacrylate, the most expensive substance.

Pros and cons

Before you have a stone sink for the kitchen, the pros and cons will have to be studied from all sides.

Let's start with the benefits:

Resistance to aggressive environments (the material does not react upon contact with chemicals, except for abrasives);
Moisture resistance (closed pores make the surface waterproof);
Water, hitting an artificial stone, does not make noise;
Does not leave white spots from water;
Temperature resistance 180-280 degrees (depending on the quality of the product);
The absence of the smell that appears when bacteria multiply on the walls of the sink;
Color during operation retains brightness;
The material is environmentally friendly;
An assortment of multi-colored models is available;
It is possible to manufacture a sink according to individual parameters;
At proper care the sink retains its original appearance for up to 10 years and longer;
With the formation of mechanical damage, it remains possible to make repairs.

The disadvantages of sinks made of artificial stone include:

High cost of products. Compared with the price may differ by 2 or more times;
Poor quality material does not tolerate a sharp temperature drop;
Very hot objects (with a temperature over 180-280 degrees) should not be placed on artificial stone kitchen sinks;
Products have a fairly large weight;
Sinks combined with a countertop (monolithic) are often damaged, splitting so that they can no longer be repaired. You will have to change both the sink and the countertop.

Countertop sinks are more the best option compared to combined. So give preference to them. If you really want the sink and countertop to merge with each other, let them be made of the same materials, but be independent elements. In the event of severe damage to one of them, there is no need to replace the other.

Criterias of choice

In order for you to be satisfied with the sink, you need to decide in advance on the desired parameters. Everything must be taken into account: the area of \u200b\u200bthe kitchen, its design, the estimated volume of dishes that you will wash. Not the last criterion that you will be guided by when choosing is the cost of the product. How to choose a sink for the kitchen so that you don’t have even a shadow of a doubt, did you do the right thing?

The composition of the stone

The strength of the sink and its stability depend on the composition of the stone and the ratio of its components. The ideal ratio of stone chips to polymers is 80% and 20%. Shells made of granite chips will be the most durable: they do not leave scratches, and they withstand a fall of a body weighing 2 kg from a height of 150 cm. Quartz counterparts are almost as good as granite ones. Marble sinks are capricious: scratches quickly appear on them, chips are easily formed, but it is much easier to repair such a product.

Shape and size

A large sink made of artificial stone is a plus, a minus of it only in the fact that it does not fit in a small kitchen. Therefore, with a limited area, narrow, but deep (about 20%) shells without wings of a square or round shape are chosen. A good way out is to buy a corner sink, which uses one of the corners of the kitchen.

There are no restrictions for a large kitchen; from above, the bowl may look like a circle, oval, rectangle, square, and in corner options it can be in the form of a trapezoid. If the kitchen is spacious, then pay attention to the wings. It is convenient to place washed dishes on them for pre-drying.

And in a small sink, combined with a dish sink, it is convenient to put food for defrosting and vegetables with fruits for washing.

If you are washing dishes in a dishwasher, the size of the sink may be small. It will only be used for rinsing bowls and cutlery while cooking. If the dishes are washed by hand, and the number of people living in the house is more than 2-3 people, then the sink should be wide and deep. Then it will contain enough dirty dishes.

Number of bowls

Large sinks can have one, two or even three bowls. Such a choice will be justified only when you cook a lot. At the same time, you put the dishes in one bowl, and wash and clean the food for cooking in the other. This is true for large families and cafes.

Color

Most sinks are matte, but there are instances with a metallic effect. The color of the kitchen sink made of artificial stone is close to natural. Usually manufacturers offer an assortment of 6-12 shades, but sometimes it is reduced to 4-6. Let the color palette be small, but compared to stainless steel, which has no choice at all, this is a plus.

Possible shades:

Dark (anthracite or chocolate shades);
Light (beige and white);
Grey.

Note: If you want to buy a colored sink for the kitchen, then pay attention to Russian-made products. Of these, you can choose red, green, blue: any color to your taste.

Price

Russian-made artificial stone sinks cost in the range of 3000-8000 rubles, depending on the size and composition of the product. Foreign analogues can be purchased from 5-6 thousand rubles. The price range here is wide - up to 100,000 rubles (these are shells of complex shape with several bowls). For an apartment, the optimal price range is 12-20 thousand.

Reports of difficult to clean and low-quality artificial stone kitchen sinks - reviews from buyers with a small budget. Suspiciously cheap models are found in unscrupulous manufacturers who save on expensive materials that ensure the strength of products. As a result of careless handling, cracks and chips are formed. And from contact with hot surfaces, ugly spots remain that cannot be hidden by anything.

Accessories

To extend the life of the sink, purchase accessories that will protect the stone surface from mechanical damage. Protection is especially needed for cheap options, the quality of which is almost half that of expensive counterparts. You will need a basket that will not allow the shell to crack from an object that has fallen from a height. It is also convenient to wash fruits and vegetables. Buy extra coasters that protect the stone from hot dishes.

Care rules

In order for the sink to always be like new, it must be properly used and regularly looked after. Follow the rules:

Start maintenance 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 coasters;
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 sink in white, beige or motley. Water on them will also leave a light salt coating after drying. But on light and colorful surfaces, they are lost. Then care comes down to washing the sink only once a week.

Popular brands

The German company Blanco produces products from silgranite;
The German company Schock produces crystallite sinks;
The German company Franke uses fragranite as a material;
The German manufacturer Teka makes sinks from tegranite.
The French company Benthor in the manufacture of sinks chooses between kermat and Novoquartz.

Silgranite, crystallite, fragranite and tegranite are one and the same: 80% granite chips and 20% resins. The names differ only because each company has its own patented technology for making artificial stone. Each of them is unique, despite the same composition. Only kermat and novoquartz differ, which include quartz, fiberglass, rubber, acrylic and resins.

Kitchen sinks made of artificial stone are beautiful and practical. In order not to be disappointed in the choice, you just need to understand that a quality product cannot be cheap. Therefore, choose sinks from well-known manufacturers who collect only positive feedback from their customers.

A sink is one of the central kitchen appliances along with a stove and a refrigerator, and any housewife knows how important it is to have a convenient, practical and beautiful sink. However, the modern plumbing market offers such a wide range of products that an unprepared buyer can easily get confused in it and buy not quite what suits him personally.

We want to tell you how to choose a sink in the modern variety of models.

Overview 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 on the market there are many models of the most different 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.

We note right away that the last two positions are in the least demand for quite objective reasons, since new materials confidently surpass them in terms of 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 possibilities of the general consumer.

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

They look great in a variety of interior styles, from country to high-tech and postmodern.

In addition, they have a number of characteristic advantages:

Affordable price. This is one of the most important criteria on the basis of which the products have become so popular;
Corrosion resistance. The material is not afraid of moisture, detergents, does not rust and does not change color;
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;
Easy Care. Washing and disinfection of the device does not cause any problems;
Easy do-it-yourself installation;
Great look, which is maintained throughout the life of the product.

Important! When choosing, it is best to purchase a model with a welded deep bowl and a wall thickness of at least 0.8 - 1 mm. It is also desirable to have a sound-absorbing lining.

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 it has a number of significant advantages.

For the manufacture of stone sinks, various mineral bases are used - quartz, marble or granite chips, etc. The base is then mixed with a polymeric binder, most commonly acrylic resin, and molded by vibration casting into the desired product. Quality models contain at least 80 - 94% of the mineral base.

Sinks made of quartz agglomerate and marble chips have the following advantages:

A gel-coated work surface can serve for at least 10 years without losing its visual appeal and luster;
The material does not absorb odors, is not afraid of acids and alkalis, detergents and household chemicals;
The sink is absolutely silent, unlike metal counterparts;
The strength of the composite stone surpasses even natural marble and granite;
Products have a solid and expensive appearance, perfectly complement the interior of the kitchen.

Important! When choosing a sink, beware of fakes and low-quality products with a low mineral base. Give preference famous brands and require certificates of conformity indicating the composition of the composite.

Ceramics

Ceramic products have long established themselves as the most hygienic and resistant to the conditions of use as sanitary ware. Porcelain and sanitary ware are the undisputed leaders in terms of corrosion resistance, external beauty and surface cleanliness.

However, in the conditions of a kitchen sink, their use is complicated by low impact strength and a tendency to chipping when a heavy object is dropped. metal utensils, and this, alas, is inevitable. Therefore, modern ceramic kitchen appliances have to be treated with special coatings, which, however, still do not provide a 100% guarantee of protection.

In this regard, the cost of really good ceramic models is quite high, and most often such products belong to the category of elite plumbing. There are also difficulties with self-installation devices due to their large weight and the risk of cracks and chips.

Important! Porcelain stoneware products are often offered as ceramic sinks. It is a fairly high-quality material and surpasses ceramics in strength.

What else to pay attention to

So, you have decided for yourself which sink is better - steel, stone or ceramic. Now let's talk about other criteria that should be considered when choosing.

For convenience, we simply list a number of tips that will help you choose the best quality and suitable model:

sinks from natural stone require careful maintenance, are afraid of acids, absorb some pigments and odors, and are also very expensive and difficult to install;
A copper or aluminum sink is too soft and will quickly be covered with scratches and other mechanical damage;
You should think in advance what type of faucet you want to see on your sink and select a model based on how it is installed;
No less important is the way the sink is installed on the countertop. There are overhead, mortise and integrated models, this must be taken into account in advance;
Think about what shape of the bowl will be more convenient for you. Now models with two and three bowls are becoming popular, it is also important to think about depth;
Modern products are often equipped with auxiliary accessories - dryers, colanders, cutting boards, etc. Choose the set that suits you best;
Pay attention to the installation method of the product. Instructions for self-installation should be understandable and feasible for you.

Important! Give preference to proven and well-known brands and manufacturers, purchase certified goods in branded stores. This will protect you from counterfeit products.

Conclusion

Choosing a kitchen sink in today's range of models is not an easy task. However, if you know the main classes of products and their features, this task is greatly simplified.

For more information on choosing sinks, see the video in this article.

Modern kitchens amaze with their functionality and the number of various innovations designed to help housewives go about their usual business. But the most important thing that should be in any kitchen is a sink. This kitchen appliance is used quite often, we can safely say that without it the room cannot be called a full-fledged kitchen. However, when choosing this piece of equipment for the kitchen, it is important to know what are the pros and cons of an artificial stone sink.

Synthetic sinks

Recently, it has become very popular to purchase sinks made of artificial stone. Metal analogues are slowly becoming a thing of the past, and the demand for them is gradually falling. And this is not surprising, because many consumers are attracted by the pleasant appearance of the equipment. Judging by the reviews, sinks are easy to care for and they are pleasant to the touch.

Many owners of modern sinks say that they do not make an unpleasant noise, so when washing dishes there will not be much rumble, as is the case with metal sinks.

Main characteristics

When deciding which faux stone sink is needed, the pros and cons play a big role and depend on the basic features and performance of the sink. As a material for sinks made of artificial stone, a composite is used, its composition is a filler and binding elements. As a filler, natural materials are mainly used, connecting them with polymers and resins. As a composition, marble and granite chips are usually used with binders in a percentage ratio of 80 to 20, respectively. Usually, in addition to these elements, various dyes are added.

After creating the shape of the shell, its surface is covered with a gel coat. This is a special composition that increases the resistance and endurance of surfaces. Such a protective layer can make it smoother and cover all the pores. It is thanks to this material that the kitchen sink made of artificial stone, the photo of which is given in the article, is durable and able to retain its original properties for a long time.

sink design

Basically, these things are made cast, which is why the expression “cast stone sink” can often be found. Modern technologies perfectly cope with the manufacture of products of any shape, size and degree of complexity. At artificial material, from which kitchen furniture is made, has its own special characteristics and properties. Among them it is worth highlighting: reliability, uniformity of structure, resistance to chemicals.

These properties affect the pros and cons of washing made of artificial stone in the first place.

Colors and types of sinks

Due to the fact that modern technological processes have become functional and versatile, a kitchen sink made of artificial stone, the photos of which help to make a choice, can be made in different variations. After all, it can easily be given any shades, textures and colors. Therefore, many consumers leave positive feedback about the range and the ability to choose furniture that matches the style of the room. Most of all, modern housewives, judging by the reviews, prefer white, black and beige models, the pattern of which repeats real materials, and the texture is a little rough.

Artificial stone Blanco's data color schemes is the most popular, at least it has collected a very large number of positive reviews. But if you wish, you can find other, unusual colorings and color schemes, such as blue or pink products, bright red sinks and much more. Users claim that such products retain their original color characteristics up to about ten years of active use. It is also worth noting that many materials are made with various shades, in other words, they are given the external characteristics of silk or antique, you can choose a sink with a glossy or matte surface. This is one of the items on the list that captures the pros and cons of an artificial stone sink.

Performance characteristics

Analyzing customer reviews, you can see: many argue that these products do not need frequent care and sufficiently resistant to mechanical damage. The only surface on which scratches can appear, according to the owners, is a glossy finish. An important property is resistance to the sink will not be damaged at temperatures from -30 to 150 degrees.

It is easy to care for it, because any stain can be cleaned very quickly. Many housewives in their reviews talk about how happy they are with this advantage. But this is not the only factor that affects the pros and cons of an artificial stone sink. Another fairly good property of artificial stone is its resistance to thermal expansion, that is, no matter how much the temperature of the product changes, cracks will not appear on it and it will retain its original properties.

Benefits of stone sinks

The unique properties of artificial stone have already been appreciated by many housewives. After all, such sinks not only have an attractive appearance, they are much more stable and easier to clean than items made from other materials.

The pros and cons of which can be easily determined by analyzing product information, has a number of advantages. Many consumers in this product like the following features:

The working surface is durable. Basically, sinks made of artificial stone reliably serve their owners for at least ten years. Of course, compared to ordinary stone, this is a little less, but if we compare the service life with ceramics, then the artificial material wins. So we can safely say that composite furniture can be bequeathed to grandchildren. In terms of product durability, the Polygran f 07 artificial stone kitchen sink ranks first in the ranking of kitchen products made from this material. In addition, there are many positive reviews regarding this product, confirming its high quality.
Safety from a hygienic point of view. Thanks to the technologies used to create composite sinks, harmful microorganisms and bacteria simply cannot grow on this material. Therefore, the sink will not emit any irritating and bad odors, in addition, an unpleasant slimy coating will not appear on the surface of products made from this material. Unlike natural stone, the composite is not capable of releasing radioactive substances, so it is completely safe for health.
The strength of the product is very high. Studies have shown that the strength of artificial material exceeds the endurance of natural products by about three times. It is worth noting that even concrete has a lower strength compared to composite. This means that even if heavy dishes and other objects fall into the sink, there will be no unnecessary damage on it.
If defects appear on the sink, they can be easily eliminated. To get rid of scratches and potholes on this type of surface, it will be enough to polish the damaged areas with sandpaper. If a piece of the product is accidentally broken off, it can be easily glued back using it. It should be noted that there will be no noticeable seams and visible damage to the material after repair.

Disadvantages of sinks made of artificial stone

When deciding which type of artificial stone sink is required, the pros and cons known to the customers make a big difference in the bottom line. Naturally, products made from this material are not ideal and they have certain disadvantages. Among the reviews you can find complaints about such design flaws:

It is undesirable to put too hot frying pans and metal pans on the surface. An object that has just been removed from the fire may be too hot, so marks may remain on the surface of the product. Many users, not knowing this shortcoming, often leave negative reviews online.
When a really heavy object falls onto the sink, a crack or chip may well appear. But this moment is extremely doubtful, plus it all depends on how well the product itself is made.
Heavy use of metal scrapers may damage the surface. With regard to care, it is also impossible to use abrasive substances, this may adversely affect the appearance of the surface of the product.
For some families, the high price can also become a negative quality of this product. After all, even the cost of such sinks is not cheap, and when it goes to retail, the amount for this kitchen furniture increases, so not everyone can buy it.

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

The product has a high level of durability. A dye is used to give a special color. The quartz shell must be covered with a gel coat. 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 endurance of the shell 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 the formation of plaque. A gel-coated quartz sink is durable and retains its original characteristics for a long period of time.

Sink characteristics

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

Such a sink has a number of positive characteristics:

Ease of care;
Resistance to mechanical damage and temperature extremes, with the exception of products with a glossy surface, scratches may appear on it;
Attractive appearance, suitable for any type of interior;
Durability 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 occurrence of harmful bacteria on the surface of the sink. Kitchen sinks made of quartz are made of natural material, so they do not emit harmful substances during operation;
High level of strength;
Ease of repair, when a scratch appears on the surface, it is polished with sandpaper. The chipped part of the product is glued with special acrylic glue.

During the operation, the hostesses also noted disadvantages:

The surface does not withstand too sharp a temperature drop, you need to be careful about the sink. It is undesirable to put in it a pot or pan that has just been removed from the heat. This can damage the surface, as a rule, a trace remains, which is subsequently not washed off;
Too heavy objects can violate the integrity of the product, given the level of strength of the product, then it can be broken only if you throw a cast-iron pan into it from a height or with great force. When choosing a sink, you need to pay attention to the quality of the product - this affects its strength;
The appearance can be spoiled by the active use of abrasives and metal scrapers. A sink made of quartz does not require much effort to maintain during operation. Rust or unpleasant marks do not appear on the surface, therefore, with proper use of the product, you just need to wipe the surface of the product with a soft cloth;
The main disadvantage is the price, but this type of sink will please its owners for a long time without losing appearance and performance characteristics. Therefore, it can be noted that the price of the product justifies itself.

According to the reviews of the owners of such sinks, there are much more pluses. The hostesses are pleased that there is no extra noise in the process of washing dishes. The stone softens the fall of drops, muffling the sound, and the level of rumbling dishes is much lower than when using metal version products.

Varieties and design

Modern technologies allow to make a product from a stone of any form. Basically, they are made cast, which increases the strength and reliability of the sink.

The choice of sink depends entirely on the buyer, there are many models on the market that differ in their shape, functionality and colors. This allows the consumer to easily choose the option of washing strictly for the interior of the kitchen area.

The range is quite rich. When choosing a product, you should consider its functionality. For example, a deep sink allows you to protect the surrounding surface from a large number spray. By purchasing a rectangular version, you can be sure that it will fit perfectly into the interior and give it severity.

However, the care process is a little more complicated, because dirt can accumulate in the corners, which is difficult to clean. Unlike a rectangular sink, a round sink is simply washed without the presence of hard-to-reach places. But it may not fit the strict style in the interior.

The product also differs in the number of bowls. The option with two bowls is rapidly gaining the favor of buyers. When purchasing such a model, it should be remembered that it is better to replace the mixer with a retractable version - this will greatly facilitate the use of a double sink.

This model was made in simple style and will not fit any design, due to its functionality, it is becoming more and more popular among buyers.

Sinks made of artificial stone are very diverse. Manufacturers have been successful in their manufacture, so among the usual classic colors you can find unusual options. The surface is also selected strictly from personal preferences.

You can purchase a sink with a glossy effect or matte. The main thing to remember is that the glossy version is more prone to scratches on the surface.

Is there a place in the kitchen for quartz?

Many housewives are skeptical about this washing option. Given the pros and cons of the product, we can conclude that you should not be afraid of the stone. It has a sufficient level of strength. Many people read reviews about the product, and every negative feedback moves them away from the right choice.

To avoid unpredictable unpleasant moments, you just need to properly care for the sink made of artificial stone. Subject to all the rules and recommendations, the sink will serve its owner for decades.

Mounting Features

The installation of such a sink is no different from other types of sinks. The main thing to remember is that the stone is heavy. Given this feature of the sink, before installation, it is required to make a template that completely copies the dimensions of the product. It will help during the installation process to measure the correct dimensions of the required space under the sink.

Using the template, the possibility of damage to the product is excluded. If you do not have enough experience with the installation of sinks, it is better to contact a specialist. This will eliminate possible financial losses.

Generally, this process quite laborious, you should measure the dimensions of the place under the sink very carefully.

Video: a few important installation points

Conclusion

Quartz sinks have their pros and cons, but due to the quality of the product, it is gaining popularity among buyers.

Today, a sink is more than just a work surface. A well-made product will become a real decoration of the kitchen and give it solidity.

The choice of product depends on the required functionality, the design of the kitchen and the size of the work surface. When using a sink made of artificial stone, it is important to remember the features of the sink and properly care for it.

When buying, you should pay attention to the cost of the product, if it is significantly lower than that of competitors, then there is a risk of purchasing a fake product. A quartz sink is the choice of true lovers of quality products with a long service life.