The main pros and cons of quartz sinks for the kitchen

Today, metal is far from the only material for the manufacture of a kitchen sink. Manufacturers are looking for ever new options that surpass stainless steel in performance and aesthetics.

One of them is quartz. Let's look at the pros and cons of quartz sinks for the kitchen, which ones are attributed to them undeservedly and whether it is worth spending money on such a purchase.

Quartz Shell Features

Quartz stone is a mineral of non-natural origin. Pure quartz is too fragile, and finding a sufficiently large monolithic block is problematic. Therefore, quartz sinks for the kitchen are made using a rather complicated technology. It distinguishes several stages:

Natural stone is crushed to a state of crumb. It is sieved, mixed with sand and polyester plastic. At the same time, about 9/10 of the mixture falls on quartz. To add color and texture, special pigments and other additives can be added.
Vibrating press in a vacuum thoroughly mixes the mixture. After such processing, it becomes as uniform as possible, due to which high composite strength is achieved.
The finished mixture is sent under the press to form the bowl of the sink. Firing at 100 ° C gives the polyester resin high strength.
The hardened and cooled bowl is covered with a special protective agent - gelcoat. This composition protects the surface from scratches. After that, the sink is ready - you can install accessories on it.

Important! The complexity of production makes the decisive moment in choosing a manufacturer. Product specifications depend on adherence to technology. Therefore, before buying it is worth exploring the company's reputation.

The finished material has a smooth surface that is pleasant to the touch. It is attractive in appearance, takes even the most complex forms, and serves for a long time. Therefore, its competition with stainless steel for the title of the best material for the manufacture of sinks is inevitable.

Is there a place for quartz in the kitchen

To answer the question of whether the quartz sink is suitable for the kitchen, you need to consider the features that such a product has. Of course, any material has positive and negative properties.

So, here are the main advantages of quartz shells, noted by users in their reviews:

low noise. The large thickness of the sink and the absence of a “tin” screen, characteristic of a stainless steel, reduces the noise from the falling stream of water or the sound from dishes when washing,
hygiene and environmental safety. Since the washing composition contains a minimum of artificial substances, and the polyester binder component does not decompose with the formation of harmful elements, the material is completely safe. In addition, the gelcoat does not allow bacteria to develop on the surface, even if there is a residue from fat and other food debris,
high strength. It’s almost impossible to crack a shell unless you strive to do it on purpose,
long service life. Unlike metal, quartz agglomerate is not able to rust, and a strong polyester binder and a protective layer will protect the sink from scratches.

Important! A scratched sink can be refurbished. The scratched surface is polished with sandpaper. If the coating broke off from a careless blow, it can be restored using special acrylic glue.

Unfortunately, there are some features that cannot be ignored when used. It is undesirable to subject quartz sinks to a sharp temperature drop or to put hot dishes on them. However, it is difficult to call a full-fledged drawback - rather, this is a property that should not be forgotten during operation.

Important! Do not use abrasives, hard metal brushes, or caustic concentrated detergent solutions to clean quartz sinks.

Varieties and Design

Today, there are many varieties of quartz sinks in the kitchen. They differ in the size, shape and depth of the bowl, design features. In such a variety, you can find a suitable sink for any interior: from classic to modern.

One option, the popularity of which is growing rapidly, is a sink with two bowls. This design will allow you to use one bowl for the primary processing of products, and the second - for washing dishes, which increases hygiene.

Important! To use the double sink was convenient, you need to use special models of faucets. The most justified installation of a mixer manufactured by the manufacturer of the sink. Most companies that produce quartz sinks (both Russian and foreign) have the corresponding line of sanitary equipment.

In the design, you can find mortise and overhead options. The first form factor provides for embedding the sink in the headset countertop, the second option involves the execution of the sink with the countertop as a whole.

The choice of a specific design largely depends on the kitchen furniture. It is desirable that the design provides for adaptation to different installation cases.

Features of mounting a quartz sink

The installation of a quartz sink for the kitchen does not differ significantly from the installation of a stainless steel sink. The only thing worth remembering is that a quartz composite is heavier, so the brackets on which the product will be installed must be reliable and durable.

Measure all the necessary sizes as accurately as possible. Otherwise, you may encounter the fact that literally a few millimeters will be missing in order for the sink to fall into place.

Important! Many manufacturers supply their products with a mounting template. It is made of cardboard or thick paper and accurately repeats all installation dimensions of the sink. By attaching a template, you can immediately see if the sink will fit in its designated place.

If you do not have enough experience to carry out installation, you should contact specialists involved in the installation of plumbing fixtures. This will avoid financial losses due to damage to the sink or table.

Popular brands and manufacturers

Today, many companies operate on the quartz composite sink market. The reputation of the manufacturer allows you to understand what to expect from its products. We offer an overview of several brands and companies producing quartz shells.

VeryStone

VeryStone kitchen sinks are manufactured by the Russian company PM-Composite. She positions her products as "quality products at affordable prices." Stylistically, they are divided into three areas: "Eco", "Hi-tech" and "Classic". The cost of production ranges from 4000 to 8000 rubles.

Sinks are available in five colors, have a laconic design and clear geometric shapes. The only drawback is the somewhat meager choice of style solutions. However, the majority of requests for products manufactured under the VeryStone brand are quite capable of satisfying.

Tolero R-107

The Tolero line is produced by the Russian company Polygran-M using German technology. The assortment includes sinks of both traditional and modern design. The brand name of the product is a “rough” surface in a European style. Price range - from 3500 to 6500 rubles.

The most popular of the line was the Tolero R-107 rectangular sink, which is great for small kitchens. It can be cut into a cabinet with a width of 45 cm. The sink is equipped with a wide wing for drying dishes and a deep bowl. The thought-over design avoids splashing water or accidentally dropping dishes from the sink during drying.

Delinia

The Delinia brand belongs to the international Leroy Merlin concern. Under it, kitchen equipment is produced, including sinks made of quartz composite of various colors ("anthracite", "latte", "Arctic") and design options (both traditional and equipped with additional features: a second bowl, cutting board or wing for drying dishes).

Prices for products under the Delinia brand range from 2700 to 6200 rubles. An important advantage is the ability to order a sink with everything you need to install it. There are not only compatible accessories and plumbing devices (faucets, etc.), but also furniture optimized for the installation of these sinks.

Conclusion

A kitchen sink made of quartz is a great investment. It is easy to clean, high durability and durability will allow you to serve the sink for many years, and modern design and good performance will make household tasks such as washing dishes, food processing and cooking much more enjoyable.

Quartz Shell Features

Products made of quartz have a high level of strength, which is especially true for the kitchen area. During operation, you don’t have to worry that a heavy pan will slip out of your hand, hit the sink and ruin the surface.

The sink is covered with gelcoat on top - this is a special coating designed to increase the protective properties. The layer provides high resistance to mechanical damage, increases the overall level of strength of the material. Manufacturers use special paints to change the color of the structure. Users can choose from a wide range of colors.

The quartz sink in the kitchen is convenient and easy to operate. Thanks to the protective layer, all existing pores on the surface are filled, which ensures a smooth surface. Therefore, the product is easy to wash, while the coating prevents plaque. A sink coated with a gelcoat layer will last for many years and retain its original characteristics throughout its entire life cycle.

Advantages and disadvantages

The pros and cons of quartz sinks will help to ensure the reliability of the design.

Pros:

Quartz kitchen sinks are easy to clean - specialized tools are not needed.
The design is not affected by temperature changes, protected by mechanical damage. But there is an exception - when buying a sink with a glossy surface, be prepared that over time, small scuffs may form on it.
Quartz sinks for the kitchen have an attractive appearance - It is easy to choose equipment for any style of interior.
The protective layer provides a long service life. Manufacturers give a guarantee of at least 10 years. The strength of the product is extremely high, and therefore, chips or cracks will not appear on the surface.
The design is safe. Modern production technologies exclude the possibility of reproduction of harmful bacteria on the surface. The sink is made only of natural eco-materials, and therefore no harmful substances will be released during operation. This is important because in the sink there is constant contact with the dishes from which households feed daily.
If scratches and damage still occur during operation, It’s not difficult to fix the defect with your own hands. For sanding use sandpaper. Chipped parts are attached back with acrylic adhesive.

Despite a number of advantages, the quartz structure also has disadvantages, which you should also learn about before buying:

Manufacturers claim that the sink is not exposed to temperature extremes. It’s true, its operational properties will not decrease if you constantly heat and cool the air in the room. But this does not mean that it is allowed to constantly put a pan in the sink, which has just been removed from the fire. In this case, an ugly trace will remain on the surface, which is almost impossible to wash.
If you use substances with abrasive particles when cleaning the product, the appearance will deteriorate. Also, it is not recommended to use metal scrapers to clean the surface. To qualitatively wipe the surface from contamination, you should not make much effort. It is enough to take a soft napkin and wipe the sink gently.
And the main minus is the high cost. But since the sink has a long service life, the price will pay off.

If you study the reviews of users of quartz sinks, you will see that the pros exceed the cons. Mistresses like that during operation there are no extra sounds. The stone muffles the sound of falling water, and the noise from the dishes will be significantly lower than when using the standard metal version.

Design Varieties

Manufacturers make shells of stone of various shapes and sizes. In most cases, sinks are cast, which affects the reliability and strength of the entire structure. There are many interesting models on the market that differ in design features, shape and color. The consumer will be able to choose the appropriate option for a specific kitchen area.

Before buying a product, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the functionality:

A deep wash protects nearby surfaces from splashing.
The rectangular shape will fit into almost any design, give rigor.
It’s easy to wash the round sink - just hold it with a damp cloth and all the dirt will go away. But this cannot be said about the rectangular construction, since dirt will accumulate in the corners.

Designs of sinks are divided by the number of installed bowls. The most popular are samples with two containers. If you decide to purchase such a model, take care to replace the conventional mixer with a pull-out option. So the double sink will be easier to use.

If the owners of the apartment prefer to diversify the standard interior with unusual details, it will not be difficult for them to choose unusual shapes and shades of the sink. On sale products are matte and with a glossy effect.

Important! Glossy surfaces are not as well protected from mechanical stresses as matte ones. Inaccurate operation, scuffs and scratches will appear on the sink.

Is there a place for quartz in the kitchen

This design option causes skepticism in some housewives. But having got acquainted with the advantages of the product, we can conclude that without problems it will turn out to put quartz on the kitchen area, without damaging the interior. The material has a high level of strength, and therefore it is reliable and practical.

After reading negative reviews, many refuse to buy, because they think that such a surface is more difficult to care for. But to avoid trouble, you just need to properly operate such a sink. Follow the recommendations and the sink will last at least 10 years.

How to choose

To purchase a suitable model of quartz structures, adhere to certain selection criteria:

Sizes. If a lot of people live in the house, and the housewives use large pots, a large bowl of sink will be needed. But if the house has a small kitchen, or the family is small, then the single-cup design of a small size is perfect. The depth of the bowl for a small family is usually 16-20 cm.
Forms. Quartz structures are made in various forms. But in most cases, people get standard rectangular or square options. Less common in the kitchen is a round format. Forms are selected depending on the general style of the existing kitchen interior. .
The number of bowls. On sale are products with a different number of bowls.The most common option is a sink with two bowls, dishes are usually washed in one bowl, and products are washed or thawed in the other.
For many, an important nuance is the choice of design color. It all depends solely on personal taste preferences. If they acquire a built-in variety, the color is selected according to the shade of the countertop. The choice of color is not only aesthetics, but also a practical nuance. On a dark sink, scratches will not be visible as much as stubborn stains from various products. Bright options will not hide such flaws.
Another important criterion is the choice of polishing. Glossy material looks interesting and refreshing, but defects appear on it. A matte or semi-gloss surface is more preferable for kitchen use, they will retain their original appearance longer.

If it is difficult to decide on your own criteria, pay attention to trusted manufacturers:

Kitchen sinks Verystone. The brand appeared on the market recently, but managed to declare itself on the positive side. This is a Russian company engaged in the manufacture of sinks from natural materials.
Tolero. The company specializes in quartz sinks. The products have high strength, and therefore many users liked it. The manufacturing plant is Polygran. The popular model is Tolero r 107.
Delinia is a brandproducing high quality sanitary ware. Engaged in compiling individual projects. The brand is owned by Leroy Merlin.

All of these companies are well established in the market of kitchen products, and therefore guarantee a high quality standard.

As for the cost of products, it differs depending on sizes, shapes and colors. To have a general idea of the cost of sinks and quartz, the following are approximate prices (in rubles):