If you are remodeling your kitchen and thinking about what kind of sink you would like, sometimes you want something a little different than the typical stainless steel. Some of the disadvantages of stainless steel – such as the noise and potential for scratching – these are things you can avoid when you choose a quartz kitchen sink.
High-end stainless sinks have dampening underneath, which helps to reduce the noise. But, for a fraction of the cost, you can have a quartz sink and not have to deal with all those little annoyances. For a good-quality stainless sink, you’ll likely be paying about double, because you will want the higher-gauge steel and dampening features. You can choose a cheaper stainless sink, but it’s going to look and feel cheap.
Plus, quartz comes in a wide range of shapes, colors, and finishes, so you can match or accent your countertop in a way that stainless just can’t do.
What is quartz?
Quartz is a manufactured composite material made by combining natural quartz with acrylic resin. It has the look and feel of natural stone at a fraction of the price.
Many manufacturers make quartz composite, but we tend to use Cambria quite a lot because we like the quality, performance, and the range of colors and finishes they offer.
Another great thing about Cambria is that they have a deep commitment to the environment. They recycle all of their metal tooling and all of the water they use for polishing. The mine that they obtain their quartz from runs on hydroelectric power, which gives them an extremely small carbon footprint.
Cambria is certified by Mindful Materials, and they are also Living Building Challenge Compliant. This demonstrates their dedication to quality, safety, sustainability, and transparency in their manufacturing processes.
Durability and versatility: quartz vs. everything else
Porcelain or ceramic sinks can chip and scratch. They are coated, and once they chip, there isn’t much you can do about it. Quartz, on the other hand, is a solid material, so it won’t have the same issues.
Stainless can also scratch, warp, and dent unless you choose a much more expensive model, and that’s something you won’t have to worry about with quartz. Stainless can also be very noisy unless you go for a high-end type that has dampening qualities. At that point, you’re almost better off with natural stone because of how much more you’ll be paying for it.
Design-wise, one advantage stainless has over quartz is that you can get a much tighter corner angle that you can’t match with quartz or composite. If you go with quartz, you’re likely not as concerned with having perfectly square corners. However, there are a lot of other reasons why quartz would be a better choice.
Quartz sinks: pros and cons
There’s a lot to love about quartz sinks, and it’s not just about how design-friendly they are.
Pro: Low maintenance
Quartz sinks are extremely low-maintenance because they are non-porous. Plus, they don’t stain or discolor like natural stone, which makes it very practical for an active kitchen.
Pro: Antibacterial
Because quartz is non-porous, it won’t spread odor, germs, and bacteria from whatever you’re washing up.
Pro: Durable
Quartz sinks are highly heat, stain, and scratch-resistant. Plus, they retain their color for a lifetime, so you don’t have to worry about fading. Quartz is heat resistant up to 535˚F.
Pro: Low noise
Quartz is naturally quiet compared to stainless, ceramic, or other materials.
Pro: Design-friendly
Quartz comes in an almost endless range of colors, styles, shapes, and finishes so you can match or accent your kitchen in amazing ways. You can get just about any shape or size quartz sink that you can imagine. They also come in sizes that are perfect for your bathrooms.
Pro: Affordable
One of the best things about quartz sinks—besides their beauty, durability, and practicality—is that they are super-affordable.
Integrated quartz sinks
Integrated quartz sinks give you a completely seamless look as they are integrated with the countertops. It will be an exact match for color and pattern, and there aren’t any cracks or seams to leak. These styles are a little pricier because most are custom-fabricated, but it all depends on the look you’re going for.
In conclusion, quartz sinks are a great way to go for a wide range of reasons. We’ve listed a lot of pros here, but there really isn’t a downside to it – just good value, amazing style, and exceptional performance.
If you would like to learn more about quartz sinks for your St. Louis kitchen, reach out today.
