How to choose a kitchen sink made of artificial stone? Pros and cons, photos, types, forms.

Features of the material

Artificial stone is a mixed material that includes several components:

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

The composition described above includes natural stone. Therefore it is partly 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: The strength of a kitchen sink made of artificial stone depends on the last component - reviews often contain information that the bottom of such acrylic sinks simply falls off. This means that the manufacturer spared polymethyl methacrylate, the most expensive substance.

The photo shows a kitchen sink made of acrylic artificial stone
Kitchen sinks made of artificial stone are coated with a protective agent called gelcoat.
It closes the pores into which dirt can no longer get clogged and ruin the appearance. And some manufacturers coat the surface with an antibacterial compound that kills pathogenic microflora throughout the entire operational period.

Advantages and disadvantages

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

Let's start with the advantages:

Resistance to aggressive environments (the material does not react when in contact with chemicals, except abrasives);
Moisture resistance (closed pores make the surface waterproof);
Water hitting an artificial stone does not make any noise;
There are no white spots left from water;
Resistance to temperatures 180-280 degrees (depending on the quality of the product);
Lack of odor that appears when bacteria multiply on the walls of the sink;
The color remains bright during use;
The material is environmentally friendly;
A range of different colored models are available;
It is possible to manufacture a sink according to individual parameters;
With proper care, the sink retains its original appearance for up to 10 years or longer;
If mechanical damage occurs, it remains possible to make repairs.

Sink made of artificial stone in the kitchen
The disadvantages of sinks made of artificial stone include:

High cost of products. Compared to a stainless steel sink, the price may differ by 2 or more times;
Low quality material does not tolerate sudden temperature changes;
You cannot place very hot objects (with a temperature above 180-280 degrees) on kitchen sinks made of artificial stone;
The products are quite heavy;
Sinks combined with a countertop (monolithic) are often damaged, cracking so that they can no longer be repaired. You will have to replace both the sink and the countertop.

Sinks embedded into the countertop are a better option than combined sinks. Therefore, 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. If one of them is severely damaged, there is no need to replace the other.

Recessed stone kitchen sink is more practical

Operating characteristics of stone sinks

A sink made of stone for the kitchen is distinguished by its positive characteristics during the period of its use.

The surface of the product is quite unpretentious, so it does not require special and labor-intensive care.

It is resistant to mechanical damage, with the exception of glossy surfaces, where small scratches appear when using abrasive substances for cleaning. The surface can withstand temperature changes and can be easily cleaned of contaminants.

A stone sink has a low coefficient of expansion, so rapid temperature changes cannot damage or crack the surface. A ceramic product may become unusable due to sudden heating or cooling.

But the stainless steel model remains safe and sound when boiling water hits it, but at the same time it begins to emit a deafening and very unpleasant sound.

Another positive performance characteristic is resistance to chemically aggressive compounds. The polished surface remains in good condition even after exposure to various acids.

However, acetone or a concentrated nitric acid solution can damage the surface and leave unpleasant marks.

Criterias of choice

In order for you to be satisfied with the wash, you need to decide in advance on the desired parameters. You need to take everything into account: the area of the 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 doubt whether you did the right thing?

Stone composition

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: 80% and 20%. The most durable sinks will be made from granite chips: they do not leave scratches, and they can withstand the fall of a body weighing 2 kg from a height of 150 cm. Quartz analogues are almost as good as granite ones. Marble sinks are capricious: scratches quickly appear on them, chips easily form, but repairing such a product is much easier.

Shape and size

A large sink made of artificial stone is a plus, the only minus is that it will not fit in a small kitchen. Therefore, with limited space, choose narrow but deep (about 20%) sinks without wings of a square or round shape. A good solution is to buy a corner sink that uses one of the corners of the kitchen.

Example of a corner kitchen sink

For a large kitchen there are no restrictions; from above the bowl can look like a circle, oval, rectangle, square, and in corner versions 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.

Artificial stone kitchen sink with wings

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

If you wash dishes in a special machine, the size of the sink may be small. It will only be used to rinse bowls and utensils while cooking. If the dishes are washed by hand, and the number of people living in the house is more than 2-3, then the sink should be wide and deep. Then it will hold enough dirty dishes.

Number of bowls

Large sinks may have one, two or even three bowls. This choice will be justified only when you cook a lot. In this case, you put the dishes in one bowl, and wash and clean the cooking products in the other. This is true for large families and cafes.

A sink with two bowls has a number of advantages in use.

Color

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

Possible shades:

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

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

Price

Russian-made artificial stone sinks cost in the range of 3,000-8,000 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 complex-shaped sinks with several bowls). For an apartment, the optimal price range is 12-20 thousand.

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

Accessories

To extend the life of your 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 their expensive counterparts. You will need a basket that will prevent the sink from breaking if an object falls from a height. It is also convenient to wash vegetables and fruits. Additionally, buy coasters that will protect the stone from hot dishes .

Types of stone sinks

Stone sinks have a cast shape. The market offers a wide variety of not only shapes, but also colors.

Variety of shapes:

round, oval - ideal for a small kitchen, the absence of corners makes installation and maintenance easier, but a number of materials can change color at the bend;
corner - allows you to use every centimeter of space, practical and convenient;
rectangular, square - are considered classics and look stylish in the interior, but are problematic when cleaning the surface.

Whatever the shape of the sink, the size of the sink should allow you to freely place the utensils and pots you use in it. In this regard, rectangular sinks win. If the depth is insufficient, splashes of water will fall on the countertop, and a deep bowl will be inconvenient to use.

Rectangular models are more spacious than round ones.

According to the installation method, products are divided into:

Integrated - are on the same level with the tabletop and represent a single canvas with it. Installation of such models is difficult due to their large dimensions and weight. If the countertop or sink is damaged, both components will need to be replaced.
Mortise - installed in a hole in the countertop.
Overlays - placed on top of the countertop. The advantages of such models are simple installation and low cost. However, during use there is a high risk of moisture getting under the sink.

A sink with two bowls will significantly save water and time when washing dishes.
Sinks with multiple bowls are popular. They are justified for frequent cooking. The number of bowls determines the functionality. For example, one large container is more practical than three small ones. But for large families this indicator is not taken into account.

The beige color of the sink is usually a universal choice for the kitchen interior.

You can put dishes in one bowl, wash them in another, and clean food in a third. In modern sinks the number of bowls can reach up to five. They differ in size, shape, depth, which determines their functionality. Additionally, the sink may have side wings for drying dishes. If space allows, then you should not ignore their presence.

To prevent stains from being visible, choose a dark marble sink, the most practical option for a kitchen sink. Any stains and dirt on such a surface will not be noticeable.

The use of various coloring technologies allows you to obtain a sink in any color scheme. It is believed that dark color is more practical. Manufacturers offer sinks in natural shades.

Common colors are:

white;
various shades of brown;
gray;
black.

Russian companies produce products in colors atypical for natural stone - green, purple, pink, red.

Rules of care

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

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

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

Description

The sink was named granite because of the similarity in appearance of the equipment to natural granite. But if their manufacturers actually made it from it, then the total weight of the product and the price would not be reasonable - everything natural, by definition, cannot be cheap, and the stone has always been distinguished by its large mass.

Granite is a very beautiful material, which is chosen by the most demanding consumers

Such plumbing equipment is made from a mixture of various components: granite chips, resins, sand and dye. As a result of a complex technological process, durable products are born, indistinguishable from stone sinks, but completely safe for human health and the environment.

Then it is dried under special temperature conditions and hardened so that it can be used without fear of the formation of cracks, chips, negative reactions from aggressive detergents and other troubles.

Thanks to innovative technological processes, the sink will never change its original color, and will be able to faithfully serve even your grandchildren.

You may also be interested in information about what a retro-style kitchen looks like and what kind of sink you might need.

The video shows the positive aspects of a granite sink:

To understand which product you need to purchase, understand a few important points:

For a large family, a large sink is needed so that all the dishes from lunch or dinner can fit into the bowl.
Pay attention to the product label, especially where there are notes on the permissible temperatures that the product can withstand without causing defects.
It is also important to establish its strength against mechanical stress, which will be confirmed by a special symbol on the product, and its resistance to various chemicals for washing and cleaning the product itself.
And don’t forget about your kitchen interior: the sink should complement a single design solution and fit harmoniously into the overall surroundings.

On the market of modern plumbing products you can find the most intricate or classic versions of sinks, ranging from a standard square shape to products with fancy curves of the outer contour.

Stainless steel mortise kitchen sinks are also popular.

The number of working containers is also an important factor: for example, dirty dishes will be washed in one bowl, and rinsing in the other. This is very convenient if the sizes of the bowls do not differ greatly.

Popular brands

The following sink manufacturers have proven themselves well:

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 chooses between kermat and novoquartz when making sinks.

Silgranite, crystallight, fragranite and tegranite are the same thing: 80% granite chips and 20% resins. The names differ only because each company has its own patented technology for producing artificial stone. Each of them is unique, despite the same composition. The only difference is kermat and novoquartz, which contain 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 reviews from their customers.

Reviews

“My artificial stone sink is three years old. I have never regretted purchasing it. It's not one of my expensive ones. I must say that a sink made of stone will outperform the most budget kitchen! My sink is creamy and light. Compared to galvanized and stainless steel, this type of sink does not leave water stains and is easy to clean. It’s better to take special cleaning products, but dishwashing detergent and any non-abrasive product will do just fine! There aren't really any downsides. If the dishes fall into the sink, they will break. And yet, it is important not to leave coloring liquids - coffee, tea, bright juices - “floating” in it for a long time. Then it will last for many years!”

Tatiana, Anapa

“I have an artificial granite sink from Longran. I've been using it for over three years. I really like that there are no pores on its surface, and therefore neither dirt nor foreign odors are absorbed, and stains and splashes are almost invisible. Caring for such a sink is a pleasure: I don’t use any special products, I just wipe it with a hard sponge and dishwashing detergent after washing the dishes and that’s it. Despite the fact that we pour the leftover tea or coffee into the sink every day, no dark deposits are visible. »

Natalia, Kharkov

“Sinks made of artificial stone have come into fashion recently. We installed it 4 years ago, we really like it, ours is inexpensive, Russian, but I am sure that it is not inferior to expensive analogues. I advise you not to overpay for imported ones. Don’t be afraid of fragility, it’s almost impossible to spoil.”

Tamara, Irkutsk

The best design examples with an artificial stone sink

As already noted, ordering stone sinks according to an individual design is very popular. Thanks to this possibility, this piece of furniture not only fits into the required dimensions, but can also become a real art object, standing out from the surrounding space due to the presence of:

sinks of non-standard shape with several separate compartments, each of which has its own drain;
sinks with several steps of different heights;
sink embedded in the work surface (the most expensive option);
an overhead sink, when not only the top edge, but the entire depth of the sink is visible;
non-standard colors.

It is absolutely clear that a stone sink is the best option for any kitchen.

It combines aesthetic superiority over analogues made from other materials, ease of use and durability.

Photo

Here are a few more photos of artificial stone kitchen sinks.