Quartz tends to be more affordable, and it comes in a vast array of color choices because it's basically a manmade product. Granite composite, on the other hand, although a little pricier, is indestructible as a countertop or sink because a large percent of the product is actual stone from the earth's crust.
Granite, which is made up from a number of minerals, including quartz, feldspar and mica, is more dense and durable than quartz alone. When mixed with resin, it becomes even more durable than a quartz composite sink. Granite composite sinks are heat-, stain- and scratch-resistant.
In terms of maintenance, as mentioned earlier, granite is porous while quartz is non-porous. This just means that granite has a lot of minute spaces or holes in the material which allows liquid or air to pass. This makes granite a lot more absorbent to stains and liquids that will be spilled into the material.
Composite Granite Sink Disadvantages
Hardness: While some sink materials are more forgiving, composite granite is hard enough to break glassware when dropped onto the surface. This granite composite sink problem is something to consider if you frequently wash breakable dishes in the sink.
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.
Quartz sinks are made with a composite of quartz and acrylic (generally 80% quartz and 20% acrylic), which offers strength and flexibility, making them highly unlikely to crack.
Yes, composite sinks can withstand boiling water. There is no issue with pouring hot water down a granite, quartz, or solid surface sink.
Best for: Affordability, durability, and low maintenance. The most common option for a kitchen sink material is stainless steel. This material is well-known for its water-resistance, durability, and scratch-resistance, and is also often recognized for superior rust-resistance and antimicrobial properties.
Stain Resistant: Unlike natural granite, this non-porous material requires no sealing and will keep from staining by design.
'The easiest kitchen sink material to maintain is going to be one made of stainless steel, copper, cast iron or enamel because they will not support microbial growth as they are not cellulose material,' says Darren Hudema, director of training and technical services at PuroClean.
We recommend shopping for kitchen sinks made from durable materials, such as stainless steel, stone composite, enameled cast iron, fireclay, and copper. Stainless steel is a common material for kitchen sinks, but not all stainless steel sinks are created equal.
The best color for a sink could be traditional white, multi-colored through to a statement black, including metallic finishes in silver, gold, and bronze. There is a huge selection of sink colors and shades to harmonize and blend with your existing bathroom, kitchen, and washroom color schemes.
Double Basin/Bowl Sink
The most popular type of kitchen sink arrangement, dual basins allow for washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other side.
Durability. Composite granite sinks are primarily made up of a mixture of quartz granite particles and resin, both of which are incredibly hard-wearing and durable. The result of this is that any knocks that would usually dent, chip or scratch a regular sink will not show up on a composite sink.
The composite material is easier to clean and won't require constant babysitting, which makes it a better choice for households with children. The low maintenance cost of a granite composite sink makes it ideal for households. This means that harsh cleaners can damage the surface of the sink.
While some types of countertops and sinks are pretty susceptible to stains, granite composite isn't. Because it is non-porous and tightly packed, there isn't much room for stains to seep in. Not to mention, there is usually a good sealer added to the top and polish that can also keep stains away.
It is essential you avoid extreme variations in temperatures coming into contact with your sink – such as pouring out a pan of boiling water followed by ice cold water. This can cause thermal shock in composite sinks and will result in hairline cracks appearing.
Use a brush to scrub the entire sink, and rinse off thoroughly with water. If you want to avoid chemicals, you can use vinegar instead. Spray vinegar on the entire sink surface and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Quartz tends to be more affordable, and it comes in a vast array of color choices because it's basically a manmade product. Granite composite, on the other hand, although a little pricier, is indestructible as a countertop or sink because a large percent of the product is actual stone from the earth's crust.
Stainless steel sinks are very low maintenance; they are corrosion and rust resistant, and as long as they are cared for properly and wiped down after every use, they should not stain. Find out more about how to clean a stainless steel sink by reading our guide with handy tips and tricks from our experts.
1. Stainless Steel. When choosing your kitchen sink, you pretty much can't go wrong with stainless steel. This top kitchen sink material is extremely durable and able to withstand heavy drops from pots and pans while also resisting scratches from sharp knives and utensils.
Fireclay
Manufactured from clay fired at an extremely high temperature, fireclay sinks are highly resistant to scratches, staining and chipping. Cleanup is easy — just dish soap on a sponge, or use a mild abrasive cleanser for tougher marks. These are the sinks I often recommend for those who want a white kitchen sink.
Quartz countertops are non-porous, making them resistant to bacteria and staining. For this reason, harsh cleaners like bleach aren't required. In reality, bleach can damage the surface of your quartz or cause permanent discoloration to the slab.
Your Karran quartz sink is produced from the highest quality natural quartz crystals and acrylic resins. With the right care it will last a lifetime. Cleaning and caring for your quartz sink is easy.