A sink, from a practical point of view, is a container for washing products and utensils. However, in the design of a kitchen, a sink is also an interior object. Therefore, the choice of the subject must be approached, given not only practicality, but also aesthetics. Today, they perfectly combine the listed characteristics of an artificial stone sink. This type of sink is popular for good reason, as it is characterized by ease of use and a spectacular appearance. Artificial stone may include mineral filler, as well as a binder. The first is marble, granite chips, quartz sand and all kinds of other raw materials that give the product strength, corresponding to the texture and color. The binder is an acrylic or polymer resin.
Reviews of composite stone sinks
Today, artificial stone products are very common among consumers. The sink is no exception. If it is made of acrylic, then the composition will contain approximately 70% of minerals and 40% of acrylic resin. It should be noted and coloring fillers. Users claim that such products are low cost, as the production process is very simple. People like such sinks for the reason that they are characterized by good performance.
Reviews of agglomerate and porcelain sinks
If you are interested in sinks made of artificial stone, you should definitely like the agglomerate sink . Such a product may contain natural granite chips in the amount of 70 to 90%. In addition, marble, quartz, as well as binders are used in the manufacturing process. The role of the latter are polymer resins. If you are interested in the question of how to clean sinks made of artificial stone, then you can read about this below. In the meantime, you can read the reviews. According to buyers, porcelain stoneware sinks are highly durable, have a long service life, but have a significant drawback - fragility. If a heavy object falls on the sink, then a chip may form at the site of the impact, which can only be eliminated by an experienced craftsman.
Reviews of sinks made of granite chips or quartz sand
A sink made of artificial stone will become an excellent part of the interior. A sink made of granite chips, according to users, has properties that exceed the characteristics of a natural material. This statement may be true in matters of practicality and durability. Sometimes such sinks are called granite sinks. As buyers emphasize, agglomerate filled with marble chips is not so stable. The described products are made by vibrocasting using special fiberglass molds that allow washing of any size, shape and configuration.
During manufacture, a special composition is applied to the surface of the sink - gelcoat, which forms a protective layer. Thanks to him, the products gain smoothness, the pores are closed, which increases the water-repellent characteristics of the surface. Users claim that such processing extends the time of use of the product, while maintaining a presentable appearance.
Positive features of artificial stone sinks
If you will install a sink in the kitchen made of artificial stone, then you should familiarize yourself with the main advantages and disadvantages of such products. Among the first, we can distinguish strength, ease of use and practicality. Another important feature is the attractive appearance and the ability to choose the shape, color and texture among the huge variety presented in the store.
When you choose a sink for the kitchen made of artificial stone, you should remember that products made of composite stone and granite do not imply the need for complex care. Among other things, such sinks are hygienic safe.
Additional benefits: resistance to external influences
Thanks to the special technology developed by the best manufacturers, products made of artificial stone are not exposed to dangerous microbes and bacteria. Products are excellent in contact with household chemicals, from which the surface does not deteriorate. This allows the use of cleaning products and detergents. Kerosene, acid and alkaline substances, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol do not leave traces on the surface of shells.
Positive features: resistance to mechanical stress
If you need a sink made of artificial stone in the bathroom, you should 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 undergoes excellent mechanical stresses, under which scratches can hardly form on the surface. This is especially true for kitchen sinks that may be exposed to knives and sharp forks during washing. But this does not mean that the products do not respond to the fall of heavy objects, while cracks or chips may appear on the base. In order to eliminate them, the participation of a specialist will be required.
When you buy a sink made of artificial stone in the bathroom, you can not be afraid that it will be damaged when exposed to too low or high temperatures. The operation of such products can be carried out in the following range: from -30 to +180 degrees. Do not be afraid of high temperature extremes. In this case, nothing will happen to the sink: washouts and cracks will not form. The user can drain boiling water from pasta or put fish in the sink for defrosting.
What should I look for?
If you have a sink made of composite stone, you should be careful, as it is not so resistant to mechanical stress. If you have purchased products of not too high quality, which is especially true for glossy sinks, they can suffer from sharp and heavy metal objects. But if damage has been detected, the surface can be restored, for this the problem area is wiped. In this case, do not use too large sandpaper. After the base is polished. If individual pieces turned out to be chipped, then you can install them in place using acrylic glue. At the same time, no trace will remain on the surface.
Cons sinks made of artificial stone
If you decide that you need a sink made of artificial stone, it is recommended to 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 an artificial granite stone was used in the manufacturing process, the sink is rather heavy, and during installation the user may encounter certain difficulties.
An artificial stone sink, the price of which may be equal to 20 thousand rubles, should be wiped with a sponge dipped in dishwashing liquid. After completing the procedure, the surface must be rinsed with water.