Marble sinks for the kitchen: the pros and cons, the rules of care.

Ever since ancient times for the production of bathtubs and fonts used noble marble. This rock formation is still widely used in the design of elegant and luxurious interiors. It has unusual decorative features that turn into real stone products decoration, with quite strong and functional. Now, many firms use natural stone for the production of furniture and elite plumbing. Great demand and marble countertops for the kitchen sink.

Most popular stone products are second only to the stainless steel, but this is due only to their high cost. If we talk about the marble, it looks great in the interior, pleasing the eye a variety of shades, beautiful veins and colored patches. Of course, this material is much more expensive than steel, but also looks a lot more impressive.

Features natural marble

Marble kitchen sinks look very presentable, make a lasting impression on guests and for all that are quite functional. However, limestone in its pure form is very capricious: it requires special care and careful treatment, it is not always possible to provide kitchen plumbing. So before installing a sink, it is necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• Natural stone is unique and can have a variety of colors: pure white, gray, light brown, creamy-pink and even green. It has stunning appearance, creating an atmosphere of luxury and refinement in any interior.
• From it emanates outwardly cool, but it feels pretty good stone.
• Marble is not afraid of the heat in the kitchen, no sunlight.
• Large wall thickness absorbs the sound of running water.
• High maintainability - relatively soft marble is easy to sand if necessary.

Minuses:

• Other natural stones marble is distinguished not just porous and layered structure. Because of this, on the surface it is easily formed stubborn stains from any spills (if not wipe once).
• This material requires special care with the use of special non-aggressive cleaning agents. Marble afraid of the impact of any acid - even vinegar or lemon juice should not be applied to it. Therefore, by pouring down the sink remains of marinades or compotes, immediately rinse with clean water.
• Low thermal resistance - a marble sink can not pour boiling water or put it on the hot dishes.
• Great weight product requires professional installation and reliable supports.
• Natural marble is easily scratched, and by careless shocks it may be formed chipped.

With this set of drawbacks, multiplied by the cost of natural stone rather big, it makes sense to look at the sinks made of artificial marble.

care Regulations

To marble sink longer looked new, it is only necessary to listen to our advice for natural stone care:

• Clean only via neutral means to pH ≤ 7.
• Regularly with wax coatings, as well as safe water-repellent impregnation.
• At least once a year cause a master for polishing and surface renewal.

Products made of marble chips

Alternative to expensive natural marble stone has become an artificial, invented in the late twentieth century. It is much cheaper, as for its production using production waste (stone chips), and synthetic binders, such as acrylic resin. Sometimes in the composite in a small amount is added dyes, which are due to an even greater variety of colors and shades. The size of marble chips (medium and fine fraction) depends on the texture of the future product and then what happens figure.

The strength and quality of the cleaning is directly related to the percentage ratio of the components in an artificial stone. Ideally, the amount of rock dust and polymers must be kept at 80% to 20%. In the best models of marble regrind content reaches 94-95%. And artificial ingredients minimize its weaknesses, making ready to sink quite suitable for everyday use.

Advantages of artificial marble:

• Best connection attractive appearance with practicality.
• Possibility of casting products of any shapes, sizes and colors - even simulate other decorative stones.
• Good sound insulation.
• Smooth non-porous surface that ensures maximum hygiene kitchen sink. Some manufacturers even wash treated antibacterial coatings.
• Chemical and thermal resistance (up to +280 ° C).

The disadvantages are fewer, but failed to fully withdraw from them. Artificial marble is:

• Still pretty high cost, though not so prohibitive, as is the case with natural stone.
• Weight and as a result - the problem with the installation and transportation.
• The possibility of surface damage abrasives and metal utensils.

As with all plumbing, composite sink needs daily care. Wash it can be with a soft cloth or sponge with a liquid vehicle without the use of metal scrapers, and other abrasives.

select the Features

In form two types of sinks:

1. Monolithic - complicated construction, where the sink is integral with the worktop. These produce only under the order, but in terms of practicality, these products are not the best. If you dropped something in the sink and crack it, repair, and even have to change the whole monolith.
2. Flush cleaning is much more practical. And if you want to make it perfectly with the main worktop, you can order them from the manufacturer of the same manufacturer. So you get the exact color and pattern.

A variety of textures and colors makes it possible to combine marble with many fashionable style. This wash is perfect for kitchens following areas:

• Classic - to introduce a similar interior without marble sink is simply impossible.
• Ethno - but only with a Scandinavian or Mediterranean "bias."
• modern - modern or traditional, it is completely rejects the use of beautiful stone products.
• Minimalism - a bit of luxury this kitchen does not hurt, but the sink is better to choose low-key pastel tones.
• Art Deco - is always a place of luxurious products made of marble, and wash drawing would be superfluous to repeat in the furniture elements.
• Eclecticism - it brings together different styles and materials readily.

However, marble stone is not suitable for every style. For example, in the Russian ethno-style (and in any village) it is impossible to imagine such a luxury sink. High-tech, urban loft and also not too supportive of the old material, but if you choose a composite with interesting color effects, it may be quite appropriate in a modern style.

Before you buy a car wash, it is necessary to determine the place of its installation, the height of the adjacent furniture and household appliances. This will help calculate the optimum width of shell and even the possible number of bowls. Sinks made of artificial marble does not fit into the tiny kitchen - here is better to choose a narrow but deep enough model.

Not a bad option - angular design that takes the "dead" zone. Furthermore shell size will depend on how much you wash dishes daily. If the family consists of 2-3 people, the overall plumbing is not necessary, and many households stake - it is better to look for a sink with at least a pair of separate bowls.

At the store, check the entire sink entirely to scratches and damage, be sure to ask the seller warranty conditions and return. The color scheme of the composite shells from different manufacturers represented, as a rule, 12-30 shades close to natural. And though to some it may seem a bit, but stainless steel has no options at all.