Granite sinks for the kitchen: types and selection
If you want to choose a high-quality and beautiful sink for your kitchen, then you have clearly been offered options for modern enamel or metal sinks. But there are other, more than worthy options, for example, solid granite products. The appearance of such sinks and a description of their advantages make many ordinary people show a well-deserved interest in them.
What and how are they made from?
The word "granite" in the name of a modern sink is used only conditionally. A natural stone is also chosen as the basis for this product, but still more often it is a natural component mixed with synthetic additives, processed in a certain way. Sometimes the shell may be entirely made of non-natural material. Several types of raw materials are most often used as the basis for the production of granite products.
Acrylic
This base can be called a good substitute for natural stone. In its composition, you can find minerals, synthetic fibers, various dyes. In appearance, products made of beautiful artificial material will in no way be inferior to stylish real stone counterparts. Moreover, they are lightweight and have a very reasonable cost.
Among the disadvantages, we can note the lower wear resistance: such sinks will be afraid of serious temperature effects, significant pressure, strong shocks.
With active use, such a product will require the most careful attitude towards itself.
Fragranite
This is an original mixed analogue of natural material. It is obtained by combining granite chips with a special resin. Quartz and marble, other inexpensive minerals, are chosen as a natural basis.
Sinks made of this material are considered excellent in many of their quality indicators - they are characterized by resistance to all kinds of damage, have a very catchy look.
Stone
Used in the production of sinks and 100% natural stone. A real granite sink will be distinguished by a rather high cost, significant weight, and complexity in production. Natural stone will be the strongest and most beautiful.
A significant drawback is his porous structurethat loves to absorb moisture and dust. Stone sinks are not produced in large quantities, therefore, in order to become the owner of a granite product, you will have to make an individual order for the production of sinks.
Natural material weighs a lot. When buying a sink made of 100% stone, you will need to think about its correct placement.
The furniture to hold this heavy item must be suitable for its weight.
Advantages and disadvantages
Kitchen sinks made of granite have long been gaining popularity among different categories of consumers.
When compared in detail with sinks made from other popular materials, stone specimens have their own advantages and disadvantages.
- Impact resistance. This property is a significant indicator of the quality of any kitchen sink. During the operation of the sink, objects of dishes and food often fall on it. For this reason, you need to select a sink that can easily withstand any mechanical stress.
Here natural stone has the highest strength. In this case, items made of fragranite are additionally strengthened, and then an inscription about shockproof properties appears on them. Acrylic sinks cannot be distinguished by their special strength.
- Resistant to sudden changes in temperature. The stone can easily withstand even steep boiling water, and behind it - ice impact and all this - without cracks and chips. But acrylic does not always show a unique feature of this kind.
- Resistant to moisture. Non-porous materials (products made from non-natural granite and fragranite) can boast of the highest indicator. They cannot absorb moisture and dirt, they are not afraid of mold, mildew, limescale or bacterial plaque. Products made from natural materials are not ideal in this regard.
- Color fastness. Products made from real stone are not afraid of aggressive rays of the sun and therefore never fade. And also they calmly tolerate staining with any modern dyes. The color will be bright for a long time.
- Excellent soundproofing. The jet of water falling to the bottom of the sink will be completely silent. Granite will easily absorb this sound.
- The product will not absorb unpleasant odors. A granite sink does not perceive various aromas at all. Here you can easily defrost and peel fish, wash onions and other strong-smelling foods. In this case, the sink will not pick up unpleasant odors.
- Environmental friendliness. Any granite product will not pose any threat during the most active use. Natural stone undergoes special quality control, and all artificial components are produced using modern environmentally friendly technologies.
- Resistance to all kinds of chemicals. Sinks can be cleaned without fear with any cleaning agent.
- Easy to care for. Stone sinks do not require any complicated handling in order to maintain their usual level of cleanliness.
- An original and catchy look. The products have a beautiful visual effect. They will fit perfectly into any style of kitchen space.
Among the disadvantages are low strength of fragranite and acrylic, which can lead to the subsequent expensive restoration of the product. Fake stone sinks often lose their appearance from impacts. Washing in light colors will have to clean much more often, in order to maintain their noble appearance. High price also sometimes stops the townsfolk from such an acquisition.
Varieties
The range of stone sinks is huge, especially when it comes to products made from materials such as acrylic and fragranite. They are easy to process, so they have different shapes, parameters, types of bowls.
Round-shaped sinks are in great demand. They are quite large and will not retain water when draining. Models with a rounded bowl usually have only 1 compartment.
Rectangle sink easy to install, it can be easily matched to the kitchen set. Products of unusual shapes are best "tried on" separately. These solutions are not always convenient to use, but they look creative.
The number of bowls can directly depend on the parameters of the kitchen and the personal tastes of its owners. Regular single sink is suitable for small kitchens. It is much more comfortable to work with those copies that will have 2-3 bowls at once.
These sinks are more functional.
By the nature of the placement of the bowls, sinks can be linear, diagonal or angular... The order of the compartments can be of particular importance here. In linear products, the bowls will be located in 1 row, in diagonal sinks they will run obliquely, in corner sinks they will be placed in a plane in the form of a triangle.
And sinks are available both deep and very shallow... When choosing, a lot will depend on the size of the family, the frequency of use of the product. Bowls that are too deep can strain your work if you have to bend over often. Small bowls are not always convenient (it will be difficult to wash a lot of dishes in them).
Today almost all car washes are built-in, overhead decisions are slowly becoming a thing of the past. A variety of colors will allow you to fit a real granite product into almost any kitchen interior.
Austere and very clear sink lines, soft tone or smooth rounded shapes will not contrast with restrained classics or minimalism.
The futuristic kitchen accepts sinks in graphite gray. Colored sink will perfectly match the cool shine of metal accessoriesand at the same time, it will add a little natural warmth to a dry interior. Wood and ceramics, tiles and glass surfaces, stone countertops will be in perfect harmony with stylish granite sinks.
Products made of stone do not fade; all kinds of modern dyes are used during their production, which retain their brightness for many years. Black and white, cream and sand, brown and graphite, almonds and chocolate - the most popular colors. Connoisseurs of noble style will suit red or yellow colors. The choice of sink color will depend on the color of the kitchen. Usually manufacturers are more likely to offer matte sink models, since they are much more pleasant with tactile contact.
Manufacturers rating
Several companies are considered the best manufacturers of granite sinks.
- German company Blanco. In her catalogs you can find round and oval, as well as rectangular sinks of any size. The most interesting models in the form of stylized seashells and fish will be presented at your choice. For the production of its products, this brand chooses high-quality granite chips and up to 20% acrylic glue.
- Schock brand. For the release of its products, this company uses the best composite and first grade acrylic, which allows their granite sinks to look presentable for a long time. The company offers a huge range of products in various geometric shapes.
- Swiss manufacturer Franke. For many years it has been producing equipment for the kitchen. The company creates excellent granite sinks of various modifications and all kinds of colors, which allows you to choose the best option that will successfully fit into the kitchen interior.
- Longran Granite Products have a lot of weight and volume, but at the same time they are just perfect for any space.A glossy durable coating, the presence of special grooves for draining, a place for drying dishes, simplified installation create undeniable positive features of the product.
- Omoikiri brand products is known all over the world, as its production is based on the knowledge and skills of highly qualified specialists. The design of the models incorporates the peculiarities of the culture and traditions of the inhabitants of different regions of the world, which is the most important part of the products of this eminent Japanese brand.
How to choose?
Granite sinks change the look of the kitchen and make it more functional. To make the right sink choice, it is important to focus on a few points.
- A kitchen sink looks best if it matches the color of the countertop. The most advantageous solution is the integrated bowl. If it is in line with the countertop, then together they look like a single composition. In this case, granite sinks can be the best design solution.
- A contrast option can also be used. It assumes bright colors of the sink, which most often coincide with the colors of the household appliances located here. A table, an apron and a kitchen facade can have one color. This design is used when the color of kitchen furniture is low, which needs a juicy accent.
- The classic forms of sinks will require taking into account a number of features. So, an interesting option would be to purchase a light sink - you can quickly remove any possible contamination from its surface. Installation of such a product is most relevant for corner areas where there is usually little lighting.
- A large family needs a spacious sink, so that all dirty dishes can fit into the bowl.
- Pay attention to the product label, to notes on the permissible temperature parameters, to information about what it can withstand.
- It is extremely important to know all the strength characteristics of a new product, it must be marked with a special icon indicating which products can be used when caring for the sink.
How to choose a stone sink for your kitchen, see the video below.