A sink, from a practical point of view, is a container for washing food and dishes. However, in kitchen design, the sink is also an interior object. Therefore, the choice of item must be approached taking into account not only practicality, but also aesthetics. Today, artificial stone sinks perfectly combine the listed characteristics. This type of sink is popular for good reason, as it is easy to use and has an impressive appearance. Artificial stone may contain a mineral filler as well as a binding material. The first is marble, granite chips, quartz sand and all kinds of other raw materials, which give the product strength, appropriate texture and color. The binding material is acrylic or polymer resin.
Reviews of sinks made of composite stone
Products made from artificial stone are very common among consumers today. The sink is no exception. If it is made of acrylic, then the composition will contain approximately 70% minerals and 40% acrylic resin. It is impossible not to mention the coloring fillers. Users claim that such products are low in cost, since the production process is very simple. People like such sinks for the reason that they are characterized by good performance characteristics.
Advantages
Stones made of artificial stone have a number of advantages that distinguish them from modern plumbing equipment:
- environmental friendliness;
- moisture resistance;
- suppression of the noise of flowing water;
- uniformity, absence of seams;
- durability, strength;
- variety of shades and models;
- color fastness;
- great depth;
- simple installation;
- no odor, antibacterial coating.
Subject to the operating rules, users note that the advantages of using such products are much greater than the disadvantages.
Reviews of agglomerate and porcelain stoneware sinks
If you are interested in artificial stone sinks, you should definitely like the agglomerate sink. Such a product may contain natural granite chips in a volume of 70 to 90%. In addition, marble, quartz, and binding components are used in the manufacturing process. The latter are polymer resins. If you are interested in the question of how to clean artificial stone sinks, then you can read about it below. In the meantime, you can read the reviews. According to buyers, porcelain stoneware sinks are highly durable and have a long service life, but have a significant drawback - fragility. If a heavy object falls on the sink, a chip may form at the site of the impact, which only an experienced technician can repair.
Features of the material for making shells and their varieties
To make stone kitchen sinks, a composite is used, including filler and connecting elements. Natural minerals play the role of filler, and their particles are joined by resins. The composition of the composite is usually as follows:
- chips of natural stone - granite, marble - 80%;
- polymer binders – the remaining 20%.
Artificial marbled stone is produced using a composite of natural rock chips and binding resins
A modern stone sink is coated with gelcoat, a special composition that increases the durability of surfaces. This protective layer makes the sink smooth, eliminating pores. In addition, thanks to this coating, the magnificent appearance of the stone sink in the kitchen is preserved for many years of use.
The material used to produce this type of product is also commonly called “cast stone”, that is, in essence, these are cast products. Actually, the manufacturing process itself is called vibration casting. This technical solution allows us to make kitchen sinks from stone of varying degrees of complexity, any shape and size.
Stone sinks are made in both classic tones and non-standard color schemes
Models and colors of artificial stone sinks for the kitchen
Enterprises operating in this segment of the plumbing market produce such products in a huge number of different variations of textures, colors and shades. Today, at the peak of popularity, judging by reviews, sinks made of artificial stone in beige, brown and white colors, similar to natural material with a rough surface and pattern. In general, the color palette is much wider: red, pink, green and other sinks imitated with natural stone are on sale. A large number of models of such products are produced with a structured surface.
Helpful advice! If it is necessary to change the visual perception of the sink, it can be painted and thus achieve various effects: matte, silky-matte, gloss, shagreen, antique.
A sink of an unusual color turns into a decorative element
Vibratory casting technology allows you to create artificial stone sinks in an extremely diverse range of design solutions. Today, the most popular are two-bowl products in the shape of a butterfly or shell. In general, the range of sinks made from composite contains more items than those made from stainless steel.
Reviews of sinks made of granite chips or quartz sand
A sink made of artificial stone will be an excellent part of the interior. A sink made of granite chips, according to users, has properties that surpass those of natural material. This statement may be true in matters of practicality and durability of products. Sometimes these sinks are called granite sinks. As buyers emphasize, agglomerate filled with marble chips is not so stable. The described products are manufactured by vibration casting using special fiberglass molds, which make it possible to obtain sinks of any size, shape and configuration.
During manufacturing, a special composition is applied to the surface of the sink - gelcoat, which forms a protective layer. Thanks to it, the products become smooth, the pores close, which increases the water-repellent characteristics of the surface. Users claim that such treatment extends the use of the product while maintaining a presentable appearance.
What are the disadvantages
Finishing and renovation
- Floor coverings
- Parquet, parquet board
- Laminate
- Linoleum
- Self-leveling floors
- Cork floor
- Carpets
- Ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles
- Doors
- Entrance doors
- Interior doors
- Metal doors
- Entrance groups
- Window
- Balcony frames
- PVC windows
- Wooden windows
- Walls, interior decoration
- Wallpaper
- Photo wallpaper
- Decorative plaster
- Paint and varnish products
- Stretch ceiling
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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.
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.
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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.
Positive features of artificial stone sinks
If you are installing a kitchen sink made of artificial stone, then you should familiarize yourself with the main advantages and disadvantages of such products. Among the first are strength, ease of use and practicality. Another important feature is the attractive appearance and the ability to choose shapes, colors and textures among the huge variety presented in the store.
When you choose an artificial stone sink for your kitchen, you must remember that products made from composite stone and granite do not require complex maintenance. Among other things, such sinks are hygienically safe.
How to choose a stone sink
The procedure for choosing a sink made of artificial stone must be carried out taking into account the dimensions of the room and the configuration of the kitchen furniture set. To do this, use the criteria below.
A sink with two compartments (bowls) is an option recommended by designers
Number of sections . Experts recommend giving preference to a double sink for the kitchen (consists of 2 compartments). This will make it possible to wash fruits and vegetables in a compartment free of accumulated dirty dishes. The best option is when one bowl is more spacious than the other.
Practicality . The contours of water sediment, as well as other stains, are very clearly visible on the black glossy product. Therefore, you will have to clean such a sink almost after every use. It was said above that the best option is light brown, beige and white.
The color of the sink is in harmony with the shade of the furniture and the color design of the work wall
Installation type . If your kitchen has modular furniture, you should opt for an artificial stone countertop sink. A mortise product is suitable for installation on a solid tabletop. When high cost is not critical for you, it is better to select a sink so that its color is in harmony with the shades of the furniture. Then the transition of the work surface into the sink will be ideal.
Capacity . A large family that prepares a lot of food should purchase a sink with several sections. But it can be difficult to choose a faucet with the required spout for very wide products. Choosing a medium-depth corner sink will be the best option for a small kitchen.
It is better to choose a sink on the surface of which dried drops of water will not be visible.
Quality . This indicator is directly related to the price of a kitchen sink made of artificial stone. At the same time, the plumbing market contains not only good quality products, but also fakes, which also sell for a lot of money. In order not to buy a low-quality product, make sure that there are no pits or holes on its surface (only technological ones are allowed).
And one more point: the color of the shell should be uniform. In addition, before purchasing, check the geometric correctness of the product. This is done like this: the sink is turned over and placed on a flat surface. The correctness of the geometry will be confirmed by the fit of the edges of the product to it.
Artificial stone sink with deep single bowl
Positive features: resistance to mechanical stress
If you need a sink made of artificial stone for your bathroom, then you must carefully handle high-concentration nitric acid, as well as acetone, since the listed substances can damage the sink made of composite stone. Otherwise, artificial granite perfectly withstands mechanical stress, under which scratches are unlikely to form on the surface. This is especially true for kitchen sinks, which may be exposed to sharp knives and forks during cleaning. But this does not mean at all that the products do not react to the fall of heavy objects, and cracks or chips may appear on the base. In order to eliminate them, the participation of a specialist will be required.
When you purchase an artificial stone sink for your bathroom, you don’t have to worry about it being damaged when exposed to too low or high temperatures. Operation of such products can be carried out in the following range: from -30 to +180 degrees. Do not be afraid of high temperature changes. Nothing will happen to the sink: no erosions or cracks will form. The user can drain boiling water from pasta or place fish in the sink to defrost.
Sink characteristics
Until recently, sanitary ware made from artificial marble caused a lot of surprise and distrust; today such sinks, bathtubs, etc. are considered one of the best and most reliable solutions.
What are these plumbing products? In fact, they are made of concrete, or rather polymer concrete, to which natural marble chips are added. Externally, such products look like they are made of stone. Today we propose to consider the advantages and disadvantages of this plumbing fixtures and, first of all, we will be interested in a sink made of cast marble.
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Each cast marble sink is produced using a technology called “vibration casting”. First, a special mixture is prepared, which consists of epoxy resin, which is an adhesive binder in the composition of this mixture, and various impurities, including natural marble chips; the composition may also include granite, quartz and other components.
Cast marble got its name for a reason; each product made of polymer concrete or artificial stone is cast in special molds made of glass, plastic or rubber. Different materials for molds allow you to create different products. Thanks to these production features, sanitary ware, including sinks made of cast marble, have smooth, even shapes, while products made of natural stone usually look rough.
The technology for the production of sinks allows us to produce products of absolutely any shape and size to suit different needs and design solutions. Such a variety of choices for sinks and other products has made cast marble plumbing fixtures one of the most popular on the modern market.
The popularity of products made from cast marble is ensured not only by its aesthetic qualities. During operation and testing, this material showed high performance. Thus, polymer concrete differs from sanitary porcelain and sanitary ware in its greater strength (able to withstand some mechanical stress, less fragile), abrasion resistance, and resistance to various chemicals.
Most often, such cast marble sinks are made as a single unit with the countertop, this ensures that there are no seams where water could flow in and dirt could accumulate. Thanks to this, products made from such marble are considered quite hygienic.
Let’s immediately make a reservation that free-standing sinks made of cast marble (sold separately from countertops) require additional horizontal fastening: for example, if such a sink is placed in the bathroom, then it is built into a special cabinet, etc.
It is noteworthy that such sinks and countertops can be adjusted to specific needs: that is, if during operation there is a need to shorten a product made of cast marble, you can do this yourself using a special tool for working with stone. Making holes in this material is also not difficult.
Another advantage of the material is that the surface is completely recoverable. If you have damaged the surface of the sink in any way: there are scratches, chips, etc., then all this can be easily fixed. The surface is simply rubbed with a special tool.
Interestingly, manufacturers provide a guarantee for such sinks for up to 5 years. At the same time, the real average service life, with proper operation, can be 10 years.
The smooth surface of cast marble has no pores in which dirt could remain, and that is why it is much easier to clean such a sink than, for example, a sanitaryware sink. At the same time, the surface does not fade over time, which is also important if you are installing the sink for more than one year.
All these advantages of cast marble sinks make them an ideal solution for any kitchen and more. Moreover, the popularity of this injection molding material has made products made from it also accessible.
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.
During operation, the housewives noted the following disadvantages:
- The surface cannot withstand too sharp temperature changes; you need to be careful with the sink. It is not advisable to place a saucepan or frying pan in it that has just been removed from the heat. This can damage the surface; as a rule, a mark remains that is not subsequently washed off;
- Too heavy objects can damage the integrity of the product; given the level of strength of the product, it can only be broken if you throw a cast-iron frying 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 quartz sink does not require much effort to maintain during operation. There is no rust or unpleasant marks on the surface, so if you use the product correctly, you just need to wipe the surface of the product with a soft cloth;
- The main drawback is the price, but a sink of this type will please its owners for a long time without losing its appearance or performance characteristics. Therefore, it can be noted that the price of the product justifies itself.
According to reviews from owners of such sinks, there are significantly more advantages. Housewives are pleased that there is no extra noise during the dishwashing process. The stone softens the fall of drops, muffling the sound, and the level of noise from dishes is significantly lower than when using a metal version of the product.
The sink is one of the central kitchen appliances along with the stove and refrigerator, and any housewife knows how important it is to have a comfortable, practical and beautiful sink. However, the modern plumbing market offers such a wide range of products that an unprepared buyer can easily get confused and buy something that is not exactly what suits him personally.
We want to tell you how to choose a sink in the modern variety of models.
What should you pay attention to?
If you have a sink made of composite stone, you should be careful, as it is not so resistant to mechanical stress. If you purchased products that are not of very high quality, which is especially true for glossy sinks, then they may be damaged by sharp and heavy metal objects. But if damage is found, the surface can be restored by wiping the problem area. In this case, you should use sandpaper that is not too coarse. Afterwards the base is polished. If individual pieces are broken off, you can put them back in place using acrylic glue. There will be no trace left on the surface.
Artificial stone - what is it?
This is the name of a composite material, the main components of which are mineral filler and binding polymers. Stone chips (granite, marble), fiberglass, quartz sand, and aluminum hydroxide can be used as a mineral filler. About 80% of the total mass of the material comes from natural components and only 20% are chemically passive acrylic resins. This ratio is considered optimal because it provides maximum strength, temperature endurance and improves other performance characteristics.
European durability and innovative design of TEKA kitchen sinks
More than half of all actions that a person performs in the kitchen are related to the sink.
Not everyone finds close communication with this piece of kitchen equipment pleasant and desirable, but there is a way out. It is not at all necessary to purchase an expensive dishwasher [...] To improve the aesthetic properties of the sink, decorative fillers and dyes are added to the composite material at the manufacturing stage. Over time, the sink will not fade or fade, since the material has a uniform color and texture throughout its entire depth.
Are there artificial stone sinks that are scratch-resistant? Yes, they do exist. And here everything depends on the manufacturer, or rather on the technologies used. Artificial stone is a composite material that contains small particles of natural stone bound with resin. The more solid particles a material contains, the stronger it is and the less susceptible to scratches, but at the same time it is noticeably more expensive.
The appearance of the product will please the owners for many years. The properties of artificial stone ensure that the sink acquires the temperature of the room, while natural stone is always cold.
Photo: Corner sink integrated into the countertop
It is almost impossible to visually distinguish artificial stone from natural stone, but the former is supported by its high ductility and ease of processing. From artificial materials, you can easily make sinks of any shape, for example, round, rectangular or corner.
Photo: Teka Cala kitchen sink
The number of bowls can be any, it all depends on wishes and imagination. Composite material is lighter than natural stone, its structure is less porous, and this ensures high hygroscopicity and a smooth, dense surface.
Which sink is better to choose - a solid one with a countertop or a built-in one? As noted above, the more solid particles there are in an artificial stone, the more resistant it is to damage, but also the more difficult it is to process. Therefore, solid sinks with a countertop are often made from less hard materials and require more careful handling. In addition, built-in sinks can be much more diverse and have several bowls, niches, recesses and additional accessories.
Disadvantages of artificial stone sinks
If you decide that you need a sink made of artificial stone, it is recommended that you read reviews about it in advance. They are presented in the article. This also applies to negative characteristics, among them the high price of products made of granite and acrylic stone, which is especially true when comparing the cost of traditional stainless steel sinks. When artificial granite stone was used in the manufacturing process, the sink turns out to be quite heavy, and during installation the user may encounter certain difficulties.
A sink made of artificial stone, the price of which can be equal to 20 thousand rubles, should be wiped with a sponge soaked in dishwashing liquid. After completing the procedure, the surface must be rinsed with water.
How to care for a stone sink
Just knowing how to install a sink in a kitchen is not enough. After all, it will have to be used in the future. In this case, you will need to follow certain rules.
Considering that the price of stone kitchen sinks is relatively high, they need to be looked after regularly. But this should be done taking into account the following factor: you should not allow the surface of these products to come into long-term contact with harmful chemicals. This is especially true for products containing acetone, caustic alkalis and acids. If chemicals get into the sink, wash them off immediately with plenty of water and soapy water.
Cleaning a stone sink with regular detergent
Daily care of plumbing fixtures of this type is performed as follows:
- remove food debris and unnecessary items from the sink;
- prepare detergent or soap;
- take a sponge or soft cloth;
- soak with detergent or soap;
- Wipe the surface thoroughly;
- Rinse the sink with warm water.
To care for an artificial stone sink, use soft sponges and napkins.
How to remove stubborn stains. To prevent and remove stubborn stains it is recommended:
- Apply a solution of bleach in water once a week. To do this, fill the sink with solution, let it sit for 20 minutes, empty the sink and rinse it with warm water, then wipe dry.
- Clean the sink with household bleach every 2 weeks. The mixture is prepared in the following proportion: 1 part water to 3 parts bleach. The surface is treated with a spray bottle, left in this form for several hours or overnight (maximum 16 hours, no more), washed with warm water, and wiped dry.
After washing, the stone sink must be wiped dry so that no moisture remains in it.
How to remove limescale. To perform this procedure, use cleaning solutions intended for biological cleaning, special composite stone cleaning products, or a 2% vinegar solution.
Work with biopurification solutions is carried out according to the following scheme: fill the sink with this substance to the brim, leave overnight. Empty the sink in the morning. Wipe its surface with a damp cloth until the remaining solution is completely removed.
Working with cleaners requires following these rules: apply paste or solution to a wet sink, leave for a couple of minutes, rinse with water.
You can achieve a perfectly clean stone sink using home remedies, such as lemon juice.
The method of working with vinegar looks like this: a sponge is soaked in a small amount of this product, and with its help the solution is applied to the surface. Rub vinegar into the contaminated area for no more than 2-3 minutes and problem areas should be rinsed with plenty of water. Then the sink is wiped dry and disinfected.
You should know that you can clean a sink made of artificial stone without chemicals. To do this you will need the following tools:
- lemon. Removes tea, wine and coffee traces. Can be used as an addition to detergent;
- mustard powder. It degreases;
- soda. Works the same way as lemon. Before use, the solution of soda in water should be in a paste-like state.
Some products may leave stubborn stains on your stone sink.
Note! For daily cleaning of stone sinks, only mustard powder is suitable.
Manufacturers and materials used
Today, not many companies produce artificial stone sinks, but each manufacturer already has its own grateful customers. Each company uses its own special material, for which it most often has a patent. Therefore, artificial stone is a general term, and the exact composition of the material is determined by the manufacturer.
Photo: Artificial stone sink with two bowls from Franke
The most famous manufacturers: Astracast, Blanco, Florentina, Schock, Teka, Sanitec, Alveus, Elleci, Villeroy&Boch, Plados, Pyramis, Foster, Smeg, Longran, Reginox, Ukinox, Granicoat, Polygran, Granfest.
Each of these companies uses its own technologies, their products differ in price and models. Some manufacturers have developed a special composition, which helped them stand out in the market among competitors.
- The German company Blanco uses silgranite for production.
- The German company Franke uses fragranite for production.
- The German company Teka uses tegranite for production.
- The German company Schock uses crystallight for production.
- The French company Benthor uses novoquartz and cermat for production.
- The Russian company Granfest uses cast marble for production.
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Photo: Kitchen sink made of artificial stone Schock Domus
The main material for making sinks is quartz, granite or marble chips. In addition to the main materials, the composition may contain Teflon, which helps achieve a dirt-repellent effect, silver ions or triclosan for antibacterial protection.
Photo: Original kitchen sink made of artificial stone
It is worth understanding that sinks made of artificial stone from different manufacturers differ in their characteristics, but they can have almost the same design. Naturally, two sinks that differ in price by almost 2 times will not last the same long. Cheaper models have a low temperature maximum, are manufactured using simplified technology and quickly lose their attractive appearance.
How to properly care for artificial stone? How to wash such a sink? It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. It all depends on the manufacturer of the sink, or more precisely on the materials used for manufacturing. If for some sinks ordinary detergents for removing grease and dirt are suitable, for others only those recommended by the manufacturer. Therefore, it is imperative to pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
