Quartz as a Material for Kitchen Sink

October 18, 2022

Traditionally the domain of stainless steel, quartz is fast becoming an increasingly popular material for making kitchen sinks in the country. Apart from contributing to the aesthetics of the space, these also have great functional value. A spokesperson from a leading manufacturer of Kitchen sinks opined, “Though earlier stainless steel has been a favourite for sinks, a marked change has been seen in recent times. For one, India is growing very fast and is not short of lifestyle opportunities. People have higher disposable income and are spending more.”

Cost, functionality and aesthetics – quartz seems to fit the bill for qualities needed for material to make a sink. Photo Courtesy: Simona Sergi on Unsplash

Neck to neck

Though granite is a close competitor, quartz has certain pluses in its favour, colour consistency being the main one. Quartz can be crafted in such a way that there is uniformity in appearance and hues. The manufacturer can ensure that it is the exact colour, texture and pattern the customer wants. Being a natural stone, granite does not offer the same option.

“While granite is a natural stone so colours cannot be created as per choice, quartz is artificially coloured, allowing a customised look. Though available in a wide range of colours, there is no consistency in granite.”

Quartz composite kitchen sinks are made by combining crushed stone with resin filler. The proportion of the materials used is usually around 70 percent -80 percent rock and 20 percent -30 percent resin. This produces a material the characteristics of which are close to those of the original stone.

Quartz is non-porous, making it resistant to stains. Photo Courtesy: Onno on Unsplash

Some features

Being one of the toughest stones, quartz’s natural strength makes it very durable. Though both materials – quartz and granite- don’t chip easily, the former is considered stronger as it is more flexible. In addition to that, it is scratch-proof, and bacteria do not form easily. If not installed with care, granite is more liable to crack than quartz.

Quartz is non-porous, making it resistant to stains. Easier to use and maintain, it can be cleaned with just soap and water. Granite, on the other, has small ducts or channels within its grains, making it highly porous. Anything spilt can sink into these channels and permanently discolour the stone. This makes it a high-maintenance option, as it needs to be sealed from time to time. Though historically quartz has been more expensive than granite, technology has helped make it more cost-effective. Quartz sinks are available in various price bands, ranging from Rs 9000 to Rs 38,000

Traditionally the domain of stainless steel, quartz is fast becoming an increasingly popular material for making kitchen sinks in the country. Photo Courtesy: Chastity Cortijo on Unsplash