Stainless steel sinks are the most popular sinks to pair with a quartz countertop in your kitchen. They are compatible with most faucets, and don't stain, rust and are relatively easy to clean. The advantage of these sinks is that they are compatible with almost any granite colour, making it a flexible choice.
Stainless steel sinks offer a complementary look for quartz countertops and can bring out different colors and patterns in the natural stone. Stainless steel is durable and water-resistant. It's also easy to clean and lends an industrial, urban visual to your bathroom space.
Stainless Steel
When it is well maintained, steel can look great against a granites and quartz worktops of grey hue. If you've chosen an under mounted sink, the material is far less visible, so you may want to take advantage of the cost benefits to a stainless steel sink.
There are two ways to install a sink with a quartz countertop. The conventional way is to mount it with its edge sitting on top of the countertop surface. This is referred to as an overmount sink. The alternative is to install a sink below the countertop, known as an undermount sink.
There are five common types of mounting installation options for a sink into your quartz countertop: drop-in, undermount (Zero Reveal, Positive Reveal and Negative Reveal) and farmhouse sink.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
The lack of a visible lip with an undermount sink makes it quite a bit easier to clean your counters; you can sweep any debris from your counters right into the sink. However, top mount sinks are the simplest of the two types of sink to keep clean themselves.
Pros of an Undermount Sink
Undermount sinks are: Easy to clean: Countertop cleanup is more streamlined with undermount sinks since you can wipe any spills or crumbs directly into the sink. Highly durable: Undermount sink types can be worth the price for their durability and quick countertop cleanup.
Rimmed sinks work well with all countertops. Whether you have a granite, marble, or soapstone countertop, a drop-in sink will go in without any hiccups. Undermount sinks, on the other hand, work well with all countertop materials except custom tile and laminate tops.
Durability: This is a necessity in any kitchen sink. A quartz sink is long-lasting and strong, and it holds up well against scratches and chipping. It is also heat and stain-resistant.
Quartz kitchen sinks are fairly low-maintenance. Clean it regularly with a mild detergent, and deep-clean as necessary with a nylon brush and a cleaner like Bar Keeper's Friend.
Quartz Sinks Are Durable
It is resistant to scratches, stains, cracks, and heat. These traits are some of the reasons it's one of the popular kitchen countertop materials.
If you prioritize style, sound absorption, and a luxurious look, a quartz sink might be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you value durability, versatility, and a more affordable price point, a stainless steel sink could be the way to go.
Quartz sinks can withstand any high traffic kitchen since they are incredibly durable and difficult to scratch or scuff. Since quartz is the hardest component of granite, combining it with acrylic creates one of the strongest sink materials, making it perfect for everyday use.
Since undermount sinks to not have anything above the counter to help carry their weight, they need more support. They also need more solid countertops that don't suffer easily from water damage. This often makes them a more expensive sink than other options and also makes installation more difficult.
Some say drop-in is generally the best option because it's easier to access all parts of the sink for cleaning. However, both types of sinks tend to accumulate grime along the caulk line where the sink meets the counter. Where an undermount sink rim and counter meet, the caulked gap can be trickier to clean.
When you have a negative reveal, a portion of the countertop underside is exposed to splashing water. When you use a porous material, water can seep through and the sink area can become a breeding ground for mold.
An undermount kitchen sink is easier to clean. Since your countertops are below your sink, there will be little need for scrubbing them. You will also have less counter space, so cleaning will take less time. With less counter space, you will also have less waste from pans and pots.
Undermount sinks are a popular choice for many homeowners because they offer a sleek, seamless look that is easy to keep clean. Because there is no lip around the edge of the sink, it is easier to wipe debris directly into the sink, rather than having to clean around the rim of the sink.
Order of Installation
It's very important to install an undermount kitchen sink before the countertop slabs are set down. Once the countertop slabs are set down, you usually will not be able to fit the sink through the hole, and you won't be able to properly seal between the sink and the underside of the countertop.
Sealing Is Never Required
In comparison to granite, quartz is not a porous material, which means it will not absorb spills. In addition to resisting stains, this quality means that you do not have to seal quartz.