What are sinks made of?

Ceramics

Few people know that ceramic washbasins are made of two types of materials: porcelain and earthenware, which are covered with glaze or enamel to protect against dirt and odours.

Porcelain products are more beautiful and reliable, but they are also more expensive, since the process of their manufacture requires a higher firing temperature and a long drying time. But the porcelain sink is more durable, gets dirty less and absorbs unpleasant odours poorly. Faience is more porous and brittle and is more susceptible to contamination. In addition, porcelain is easier to glue in case of damage or chips. Whatever it was, it is almost impossible to distinguish these two materials by eye, so you will have to rely on the manufacturer's good faith.

Most ceramic sinks have a practical white colour, although some manufacturers can also find colour models: more often pastel colours, but there are also bright colours — red, yellow and even black.

Stone

Natural stone is usually found in the production of expensive products of classic design. Most often it is granite, marble, onyx or sandstone.

Granite and marble have natural beauty and durability, are not afraid of temperature changes, but are extremely difficult to install due to their remarkable weight, and require careful operation, as they are highly susceptible to chipping, are afraid of grease and dirt (due to porosity), as well as dyes, both artificial and natural (especially marble).

Artificial material looks extremely difficult to distinguish from natural, so it is also able to give the design of a bathroom or kitchen solidity and solidity. But at a price it is almost twice cheaper than natural and has more advantages.

Thanks to new technologies, artificial stone is able to imitate the texture of absolutely any surface and have almost any seamless shape. According to some of its properties, it surpasses natural stone. Not so cold, stronger, resistant to chemical attack, light and can take any shape. Plumbing made of artificial stone is easy to care for and durable, and in case of chips, scratches or other damage, it is easily repaired.

Examples of premium artificial stone products include cast marble sinks. They are made of marble or quartzite crumbs pressed under high temperature with the addition of binding elements, thanks to which they have tremendous strength. A thick top layer of glaze reliably protects the material from contamination.

Acrylic stone is simpler and cheaper, as it contains only 5-7% of natural raw materials. But it also does not absorb dirt and odours, germs and bacteria do not multiply on it, and the smooth surface is easily disinfected. But acrylic, unlike the same quartz agglomerate or cast marble, is less resistant to high temperatures, aggressive environments, scratches and bumps.

Glass

The use of glass in the interior is the most progressive approach to ultra modern design. Glass gives plumbing a special grace and is used to create interiors that require light, airy shapes. The material can be coloured, transparent, matte or patterned, of different thickness and texture, tempered and ordinary. Glass sinks are often equipped with built-in lighting, which gives the design a special piquancy.

To a greater extent, glass washbasins are overhead models, the installation of which is simple. They are easy to care for, but lack of durability limits their use. The material is worthy of evaluation by real aesthetes who prefer the uniqueness of shapes and colours to practicality. The disadvantages include the possibility of an "explosion" (the appearance of cracks and fractures) due to microscopic defects due to mechanical or thermal effects.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel washbasins are poorly distributed. The largest niche of such sinks is represented in the segment of kitchen sinks. Nevertheless, stainless steel washbasins easily "get along" in the interior of any style, perfectly combining with objects made of glass, ceramic tiles, stone and even brick. This is an perfect option for decorating bathrooms in the Hi-Tech style.

The advantage of such products is considered strength. Stainless steel does not darken under the influence of acids. This is a fairly light and shock-resistant material, the characteristic metallic luster of which is able to please the owners for years. The democratic cost of such products, the variety and convenience of forms, as well as the ease of care are also important. The disadvantages of a stainless steel washbasin include only the characteristic booming sounds of water dripping from the tap, the impact of objects on the iron surface and scratches that appear over time.