2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
Renovation in the kitchen is an expensive and troublesome business, because you need to buy so many things: furniture, plumbing, and finishing materials. And since in many apartments the kitchen is not only a place for cooking and eating, but also a traditional gathering room, you should choose interior elements so that they are both beautiful, comfortable and practical.
One of the indispensable attributes of the kitchen is the sink. Without it, in any way, but do not buy it in a hurry. Beforehand, it does not hurt to walk around specialized stores, read reviews. A sink made of artificial stone is an option that can increasingly be found on the shelves. It appeared not very long ago, but there are already quite a lot of feedback about the quality of the material and its practicality. And both positive and negative.
What shells are made of
There are quite a few materials used to make this item. Stainless steel sinks have been and remain popular. This material is very practical and absolutely harmless. The only drawback is the lack of the ability to choose a color, as the reviews speak quite eloquently. A sink made of artificial stone, along with a variety of shades, is distinguished by a host of other positive qualities. The enameled sink in the kitchen looks good. But this type of product has one serious drawback - even when a not very heavy object falls (and this happens in the kitchen), chips form on the surface. As a result, corrosion appears, which looks unaesthetic.
What is an artificial stone?
In fact, this name hides a certain composite material made of natural crumbs and synthetic resin. Granite, marble, quartz, or a mixture thereof is usually used as the first component. And the link is acrylic (but there may be other options). To achieve the desired visual effect and a certain color, various dyes, sparkles, etc. are poured into the mixture. Artificial stone is used for cladding surfaces, making furniture, countertops and even souvenirs. In recent years, kitchen sinks made of artificial stone have become very popular. Due to the variety of possible shades, they harmoniously fit into any interior.
Artificial marble and granite
One of the varieties of composite material, which is most often used for the production of wall tiles and countertops, is marble chips in acrylicresin. It looks like natural stone, so sinks from it are usually installed in the bathroom. They are rarely used in the kitchen, only when it fits into the overall design.
Artificial granite is made similarly to marble, but due to a fundamentally different appearance, it is much more often used in the production of kitchen sinks. The material is quite popular, as evidenced by the reviews. A sink made of artificial stone in classic shades, as a rule, is made of granite chips. Although some manufacturers use brighter dyes.
Other options
Quartz or mixtures of different crumbs are sometimes used as a solid filler for the manufacture of artificial stone. Acrylic composite is often called "polygran" in the domestic market. Sinks made of artificial stone of the manufacturer of the same name are very popular among consumers and win many positive reviews. The company offers a wide range of different colors and shapes of shells.
In their manufacture, 80% stone chips and 20% polymer are used. At a price, such a sink is more expensive than Chinese, but more affordable than products of many European manufacturers. In terms of quality, at the same time, it is a cut above the first and is in no way inferior to the second. Sinks "Polygran" - beautiful, comfortable and designed for long-term operation.
Material Values
First of all, these are aesthetic qualities. Kitchen sinks made of artificial stone can be made inany color scheme, which means they will perfectly fit into the tone direction of the furniture and the room as a whole. Secondly, the composite is a silent material. If you pour water on a metal surface, it will make unpleasant sounds. You can get used to them over time. But they still annoy many housewives.
Sinks from such material can be absolutely any shape, non-standard ones are often made to order. Thanks to its ability to solder perfectly, there is also a so-called integrated sink made of artificial stone. In this case, the sink is a fragment of the working surface of the table.
Other features include wear and impact resistance, no chemical reaction with foodstuffs and detergents, and antibacterial properties.
Flaws
Surely they exist too. Despite their attractiveness (artificial stone sinks, photos of which can be seen in the article, look good), sometimes there are not very good color schemes. But this is rather a matter of taste.
What can really stop the consumer is the cost of the sink. Indeed, a solid and high-quality sink made of artificial stone, the prices of which sometimes exceed 6,000 rubles, is not affordable for everyone. And when it comes to an integrated or non-standard version, it can be even more expensive. There is an opinion (not unfounded) about the dangers of acrylic, but this does not apply to the final product, but to the production process.
In addition, as the reviews say,a sink made of artificial stone is difficult to install. Therefore, in most cases, you have to resort to the services of a specialist, and these are additional costs.
Depth and shape
In addition to the material from which the sink is made, there are other selection criteria. For example, the shape of a sink. Such products are round, oval, square, rectangular and in the form of very intricate shapes. All this sometimes looks funny, but before making a choice, you need to remember that in addition to aesthetic qualities, the sink also has practical properties.
So if you overdo it with imagination, it may turn out that the sink will play the role of an interior item, but it will not be possible to use it for its intended purpose. But to choose round or square, each hostess must decide for herself. In practice, artificial stone corner sinks are often made either integrated or oval. They take up less space and look better. In other cases, use a square or rectangular shape. If the area of \u200b\u200bthe kitchen allows, get a double version. Such a sink has a larger capacity, and it looks better, and it is more convenient to use it. Although the round one is much easier to wash.
As for the depth of washing, the picture here is also ambiguous. From the shallow one, splashes usually fly, but the deeper it is, the more you have to bend over. So the choice is more often made in favor of an intermediate option.
Installation Methods
In addition to depth and shape, sinks can be divided into several types depending on how they are attached to the work surface. In addition to the integrated option, when the sink is part of the countertop, there are mortise, surface-mounted installation methods, as well as mounting on brackets.
The last option is considered the simplest, so even an average person can handle it. Mounting on brackets is also used in cases where the sink is purchased in place of the old one, but they do not plan to change the furniture.
The mortise sink differs from the consignment note in that in the first case it is installed flush with the countertop, and in the second it rises above it.
Why some consumers are unhappy
Reviews of artificial stone sinks are more often positive. But sometimes they can be neutral and even angry. There are several reasons for this. First, the very quality of a particular instance. Trying to save money on a purchase, the consumer often chooses a cheap analogue from a Chinese manufacturer. The result is a low-quality product that scratches easily or may even burst.
The second reason is the wrong installation. Since the artificial stone is quite light, when installing the sink, it must be tightened or supported from below, special attention should be paid to the points of attachment and connection with pipes, a mixer, and other components. If these nuances are not taken into account, it may burst under the weight of a large amount of dishes or water. Unfortunately,the reason for the fragility of shells is often fittings. When choosing it, it is also not worth saving.
Artificial stone is a beautiful and comfortable modern material. It cannot be called cheap, but due to its durability and practicality, it will serve for a long time without creating additional problems and costs. The main thing is not to try to save money by choosing products of dubious quality.
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