Sink made of artificial stone for the kitchen (51 photos): how to install it yourself, instructions, photo and video tutorials

Sinks made of artificial stone for the kitchen compare favorably with their cheaper counterparts in their practicality and high decorative properties. They will easily fit into almost any interior and will last for a year. Today we will consider the main advantages and disadvantages of such sinks and take a closer look at their most popular models.

Artificial materials are not inferior to natural ones in strength and decorative qualities

Everything you need to know about artificial sinks

The material used to make artificial stone kitchen sinks was developed back in 1966 in the United States under the trade name Corian. Since then, the technology has spread throughout the world, but its essence has remained the same: a mineral filler (for example, granite or marble powder) are mixed with a coloring pigment (for example, titanium dioxide) and polyester resins.

The technology for the invention of composite materials was developed back in 1966 and has not changed much since then.

This technology makes it possible to obtain not only a highly durable product, but a product with an almost unlimited range of colors, a variety of patterns and high-quality imitation of natural stone.

The color range of composite sinks is practically unlimited

A kitchen sink made of artificial stone has one more feature - the texture of natural stone is transmitted to the entire depth of the product, and not only to the surface. Therefore, externally, a kitchen sink made of artificial stone differs little from a sink made of natural raw materials.

High-quality artificial models outwardly differ little from natural counterparts

Read also the article on acrylic facades for the kitchen.

Pros and cons of the material

To determine exactly whether or not to buy an artificial car wash, you should know all their pros and cons. In this section, we'll take a closer look at this point.

Benefits

Artificial stone kitchen sinks have many advantages that determine their popularity.

Composite materials are absolutely harmless to human health

Among the main advantages of such products are:

• Absolute moisture resistance. The first thing that is required of a sink is its high resistance to moisture. The sink for the kitchen made of artificial stone does the job perfectly.
• Sustainability. Artificial variants of stone sinks do not emit harmful substances, they are also absolutely safe for human health and the environment.

This surface is resistant to minor scratches and damage

• Wear resistance. There are no scratches or cuts on the surface of the sink, it does not fade or wear out.
• Long service life. The durability of artificial stone is comparable to that of natural granite or marble.

Composite sinks with proper care will last over a decade

• Ease of processing. Such material tolerates additional processing well. For example, when replacing taps, you can drill a larger hole in it, in addition, if you are making a kitchen with your own hands, you can safely work with this material.

For less cost, artificial analogs will serve you no less than natural ones

• The cost. The price of a sink made of artificial stone is much lower than a similar product made of natural granite or marble, while the performance and properties are almost the same.

As you can see in the presented photos, the border between the sink and the countertop is practically invisible, and the gap between them is absent at all, so the dirt does not clog and it can be swept directly into the sink.

Cleaning instructions for the sink involves the use of soapy water

Read also the article on stainless steel kitchen sink.

disadvantages

And yet, composite materials have some drawbacks. And in order to make an informed decision about buying or abandoning composite sinks, you should familiarize yourself with them. Let's consider this moment in more detail.

Composite materials are not afraid of boiling water, but a hot pan can ruin the surface

• High temperature instability. No, such models are not afraid of boiling water. But if you put a hot saucepan on them that you just removed from the stove, you risk damaging the material.
• Price. Despite the fact that composite surfaces are cheaper than natural counterparts, their cost is still in the high price segment.
• Insufficient strength. There is a high risk of chipping off a piece of the sink if you drop something heavy on it. Yes, it can be glued back, but the appearance will not be the same.

Artificial sinks cost less than natural sinks, but they cannot be called cheap

Types of artificial stone and their use in the interior

In this section, we will take a closer look at the features of some of the popular artificial stone models.

Illustration	Sink features
	Marbled. Marbled products look expensive and even luxurious. Natural marble chips are used for their production; it can be of fine or medium fraction. Also included in the mixture are quartz sand, polyester resins, dolomite and dyes. This option is perfect for a classic kitchen. If you use expensive tiles, strict colors and shapes, a marble sink will be a great addition to this ensemble.
	Under granite. Artificial granite is produced from natural granite chips (up to 80%), pigments and polymer resins. They are mixed in a special vacuum mixer in the presence of a chemical catalyst. Granite looks austere and respectable. It is great for classic, retro, country and folk styles. It goes well with simple wood furnishings and furnishings of sophisticated shapes. In addition, this material has excellent strength and wear resistance.
	Under onyx. For the production of imitation of onyx, aluminum hydroxide (65 - 67%), colored paste (2 - 5%), polymer resin and a catalyst-hardener are used. The operational qualities of this material are somewhat lower than those of granite and marble, but they are quite high and in practice do not cause any complaints. Onyx allows you to use a much wider color gamut, it is also possible to create all kinds of patterns and patterns. This allows you to use this material in modern styles for the implementation of various design solutions inherent in fashion trends.

Conclusion

Artificial stone based on mineral filler and essential resins is a wonderful modern material, which will suit both lovers of classics and traditional styles, and fans of modern design schools. We have told you about the main advantages and disadvantages of sinks based on composite materials, as well as their range. Applying the knowledge gained in practice, you can choose a high-quality and suitable option.

In the video you will find even more interesting information about composite sinks.

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