What Is A Solid Surface Sink

Farmhouse Or Apron Sink

Farmhouse, or apron, sinks are large single basin sinks distinguished by their front wall, which forms both the front of the sink and the front of the counter. The most popular type of installation is with the sink level and integrated in the counters. However, apron sinks are sometimes installed “country style”: on top of a cabinet or on a freestanding table and not surrounded by counters.

• Can be very expensive compared to other sink styles.

Low Divider Double Basin Sink

A low divider kitchen sink is a double basin sink, but instead of the divider rising to the level of the top of the sink, it stops partway up.

• Since not many manufacturers offer low divider sinks, prices tend to be higher than for other types, such as single basin, double basin, and even farmhouse sinks.

• While in theory, it can double for a single basin sink, the low divider sink has less room for large items such as casseroles or broiler pans.

Solid Surface Vs Ceramic Basin

As it is widely known, ceramic and porcelain sinks have been widely accepted for a great number of years, and most people are used to selecting porcelain basins for their bathroom vanity. As a great alternative, acrylic solid surface sinks have become more and more popular among hotel project designers and home designers as there are many advantages over ceramic sinks.Lets see what features solid surface basins have that ceramic basins do not

1.Material nameUnlike ceramic which is made of clay, solid surface basins are made with an acrylic solid surface material . This versatile material is widely used in kitchen counter tops and bathroom vanity tops and its flexibility allows designers to create ingenious designs with a modern style. For example, contemporary bathroom designs can require straight edge square basins with almost 90 degree corners. This is easily possible with solid surface sinks however, you may seldom find a very straight angle ceramic basin as they are difficult to produce.In style, ceramic basins are relatively conservative and solid surface basins are tightly connected with modern, sleek design.

3.Solid surface material is good for making extra large size vanity basinsPublic bathrooms usually require extra long integrated vanity basins ranging from 1.5m to 1.8m or whatever length is required. Solid surface basins can be made at any size, whereas with ceramic it will be very difficult and expensive to make a large size vanity basin.

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Diy Solid Surface Countertops

Can you build your own solid surface counters? For a long time, one downside of solid surfaces was that it was not easy for the do-it-yourselfer to obtain source materials. You had to be an authorized retailer to purchase many brand-name solid surface materials. It doesn’t help that most kitchen countertop materials are difficult to fabricate without special tools and expertise.

However, this is changing. A few online resellers of discontinued and rejected solid surface materials will sell to non-authorized buyers. Plus, some simple fabrication such as cutting straight lines or creating sink cut-outs can be done by do-it-yourselfers.

Even so, professional-grade solid surface is still best left in the hands of professionals. Do-it-yourselfers will find wood or pre-laminated laminate countertops easier to work with.

Potential For Infinite Designs

Solid surface can be cut, poured, molded, and customized to fit any design. With an almost infinite number of pigments, fillers, and shapes available to you, solid surface can fit in almost anywhere and with virtually any aesthetic choices.

Here are just some of the ways solid surface offers plenty of design potential:

• Color: Choose any color or finish you want to customize the look of solid surface. Create a naturalistic mock-stone finish, go for a simple matte black, or create a flashy, brightly colored option with tons of textured filler.
• Thermoform: Solid surface can be sliced into sheets, but did you know that it is also thermoformable, meaning it can be molded into practically any shape with a little bit of heat. Because solid surface can be thermoformed, this material is a popular choice for sinks, curved/seamless edges, and creating sleek crack-free designs.
• Customizable: No matter the vision, you can likely make it come to life with solid surface. Not limited to the colors, shapes, designs, and finishes that naturally occur, designers can customize solid surface to their hearts content to fulfill even the most complex and elegant designs.

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Kitchen Sink Types Pros And Cons

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The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Choosing a kitchen sink is a major part of kitchen renovation. From traditional top-mount sinks to newer, trendier units like the low divider sink, consider which type of sink suits your kitchen and your personality the best.

Here are 10 kitchen sink types, including their pros and cons.

Top Mount Or Undermount

Karran Stainless Steel Seamless Undermount Vanity Bowl

Ease of Use Top mounted sinks create a lip or edge, which prevents the easy sweeping of countertop debris into the sink while undermounted do not. Installing a top mounted sink will require caulking around the edge between the lip of the sink and the countertop. This prevents water from running under the rim.

Food Safety and Hygiene Because of the caulking requirement, top mounted sinks provide a location for bacteria and mold to reside. Undermounted sinks also produce a seam that needs to be caulked and cleaned regularly.

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Types Of Solid Surface Sinks

After decades of being prevalent, now you can choose from a number of varying designs for your kitchen. A person can go for any look keeping in mind the aesthetic that he/she is aiming for.

Additionally available are various styles of solid surface sinks for different functionalities. Before taking the actual decision, one must focus on what benefits are most important and he/she prioritizes the most.

Solid Surface Countertop Basics To Know Before You Buy

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The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Solid surface countertops have been around for over 50 years now and are a mainstay in kitchens and bathrooms. What might have once been considered trendy is now so established that few countertop materials, except for quartz, have managed to achieve the same status.

Solid surface is a perfect mid-range countertop material. Buyers not interested in laminate but still looking for an affordable countertop often gravitate to solid surface material. It is one of the few counter materials that a homeowner can resurface with just an orbital sander.

While visually solid surface lacks the depth of real stone or even quartz, it does resemble stone far more than laminate does. Solid surface is where a lot of countertop buyers comfortably end up after carefully considering its high and low points compared to other materials.

• Easy to buff out scratches

• Difficult for DIYers to fabricate

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How To Differentiate Granite Composite Sink From Solid Surface Sink

• Last UndatedOctober 28, 2020

We are always skeptical about things, from telling someone your secret to the sink we use in the kitchen.

The two most sought-after sink materials keep clashing. This presents a choosing battle in the mind of the customers. But, they have differences, ranging from their composition, production process, and features.

Even though you could tell one from the other by looking, there are more variations. They have distinct features, even down to the feeling you get when touching them.

Heres how to differentiate granite composite sink from solid surface material sink. Well explain each material in depth before pointing out the variations. Read on.

Pro: Seamless Smooth Surfaces

For a seamless look that is easy to keep clean and sanitized, solid surface materials are the best choice. Farmhouse sinks made from this material are free from seams and edges that can trap debris and create bacterial issues. The smooth look is also highly appealing to homeowners looking for a sleek and modern style.

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The History Of Solid Surface: Corian By Dupont

If you have never heard of solid surface, you may have heard of Corian®, the name of the original solid surface formula created by a DuPont researcher named Don Slocum. Slocum developed Corian® intending to create a more hygienic alternative to the natural materials that were most popular at the time granite, laminate, etc.

Though beautiful and durable, natural materials like granite are porous, harboring tiny cracks, crevices, and pits where dirt, grime, and bacteria can avoid the wipe of a sponge or sanitizing spray.

Corian® was solid from top to bottom with no porosity, and could be cut, shaped, molded, and colored to fit virtually any application. Slocum developed the first batch of Corian® in 1964, and DuPont subsequently patented the product in 1968.

A decade later, in the late 70s and with the expiration of the patent, competing manufacturers developed their own products, calling them solid surface, and making the material widely available.

Restoring Your Solid Surface Sink

Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.

Dupont / Corian

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Estimated Cost: $10

Solid surface acrylic resin countertops have captured the hearts of homeowners for years. And solid surface sinks are popular for many of the same reasons. These sinks are typically installed as under-mount sinks but may also be integrated directly into the countertop. Another variety of solid surface sinks are drop-in style.

Solid surface acrylic resin sinks and countertops are made by different companies and have various names such as Corian, Wilsonart, Formica, Avonite, Staron, and so on. These acrylic resin materials are not the same as quartz composite materials such as Cambria or Corian Quartz.

The weakness of solid surface is that it loses luster over time and can look dull and dingy due to grime and scratches. Sometimes solid surface tops can crack and need repairing, but most often sinks just look bad. A thorough cleaning with a strong cleaner and, if necessary, sanding with fine sandpaper can help restore an old solid surface sink to its former glory.

• Scrub sponge or scouring pad
• Stiff-bristle nylon scrub brush

• Cleanser or other cleaner
• 400-grit sandpaper

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How Is Granite Composite Sink Made

The Granite composite sink has different procedures for production. But they all end up in the same reliable and non-toxic material. The manufacturing process includes:

Mixing

At this initial point, you try to mix all single ingredients. These include80% quartz sand and 20% acrylic. This could be a natural mineral resin. Some other materials include a solidifying agent, pigment, and a defoaming agent.,

Preparing the Mould

This step is necessary so that the mixture doesnt stick on the walls of the mold. Hence, rub with demolding water for easy release.

Mold Casting

After a thorough mix of the individual materials, the mixture goes into the mold for casting. At this point, it takes the shape of the kitchen sink.

Trimming

The post-molding process involves trimming the edges of the kitchen sink. This helps to ensure its smooth and flat. This step is vital to give the silky sleek finish it comes with

Demoulding

Take out the finished granite composite sink from the mold for finishing.

Finishing

This process gives it that famous matte black appeal or the glossy finish it appears. At the finish stage, theres the gel coating, roughing, and the polishing stage.

Roughing

This step helps in bringing out the shiny aspect of the granite composite sink.

Granite Or Quartz Composite Sinks

Karran Quartz Undermount Sink

Also a composite, granite sinks are molded using ground up quartz pieces, quartz dust and acrylic resins and is the same color throughout. Similar to solid surface sinks, granite can also discolor with extended use. Although you can scour the surface and remove minor stains, excessive abrasion can lead to non-removable scratches.

Granite composite sinks are offered in a wide range of color options, with unique design features. This allows you to choose from a wide range of color contrasts, grains and patterns.

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Benefits Of Granite Composite Sinks

There are different reasons why people prefer granite composite sinks. Yet, we have summarized them into:

Easy Repair

Granite composite sinks sustain cracks and chips, but you can repair them with ease. All you need is proper sanding, and youll see them no more. When scorched by a hot pan, you can make it shine again by a straightforward process. Its a DIY process, but you may want to invite an expert for the best results.

Non-porous

It is hard to detect any seam on the curves and edges of solid surface material. This feature doesnt make it look good it helps with the sinks anti-bacterial aspect. Microbes tend to live in seams, but thanks to the no-seam and non-porous feature, your sink is free.

Also, when you talk about non-porous kitchen sinks, solid surface materials rank high. No sink substance is non-porous to the end. But some like quartz and composite are the tightest.

Microbe-Resistant

Since it is compact and non-porous, microbes like bacteria, mold, and mildew cant grow on it. For this, most establishments like hotels and offices opt for solid surface sinks.

Stain-Proof

For the kitchen, oil and grease stains are common. A surface from which you can wipe stain is invaluable. A solid-surface sink is one you can clean with much ease. This helps it stay free of stains and blights.

What Is Solid Surfacing

You may be wondering, What does solid surfacing mean? Lets find out.In basic terms, solid surfacing is a slab of durable, hard plastic that is the same color all the way through . Its used to make kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops and other work surfaces like bars and laundry room tables.In not-so-basic terms, solid surfacing is created from a natural mineral fiber called aluminium trihydrate , plus binding resins and pigments for color. The resins might be made of acrylic, polyester or acrylic-modified polyester, depending on the particular product.

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Learn The Variety Of Materials Used To Make Your Kitchen Sink

In the past, you had relatively few choices when it came time to choose your kitchen sink material. It came down to stainless steel or enameled iron. Your color choices were typically, white… or shiny stainless steel.

Today, manufacturers are creating kitchen sinks out of a wide variety of materials. You have many different choices regarding colors, sizes, and styles. Your kitchen sink is much more than a simple utilitarian fixture. It can be a significant focal point in your kitchen as well as a functional part of the room.

Here are some of the most popular materials for kitchen sink construction so you can make an informed decision about this essential element of your new kitchen!

Whats So Great About It

The great thing about solid surfacing for countertops is that when installed, the seams are invisible which not only looks beautiful, but doesnt have any gaps or grout for yucky germs to live in.Solid surfacing comes in many colors and designs, including the look of natural stone without the expense and upkeep of natural stone!The nature of solid surfacing material also allows for some fantastic design options, like integrated sinks and backsplashes. In addition, solid surfacing can be carved like stone so your countertop can have unique edging or inlays. Read on for more details.

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Cleanliness & Ease Of Sanitation

A surface being non-porous is a key component of easy cleaning, since a non-porous surface wont hold on to dirt, grime, bacteria, and germs as easily as natural and porous materials. Solid surface is non-porous and can be constructed without seams, edges, or gaps between cracks or corners.

A seamless design helps to make clean up super easy and eliminates any hiding spots that harmful dirt and bacteria could be using.

Because solid surface wont absorb moisture or stain, solid surface can be cleaned with almost any normal cleaning solution, making it extremely versatile and perfect for a wide range of industries with a variety of cleanliness and sanitation standards. Because solid surface is solid all the way through and isnt coated with a laminate, cracking, splitting, and chipping is never a concern, and you wont find your counters failing at the edges in the way other synthetic materials might.

Consider The Finish & The Color

Using darker colors to demonstrate wear and tear is more effective than lighter colors when it comes to spotting stains and blemishes. You should consider your solid surface countertops finish and color before using any cleaner or attempting any repairs. By using increasingly finer grits of sanding abrasives, the shine on the solid surface is enhanced.

To achieve a glossy shine after using fine abrasives, use a buffing pad and polishing compound after using fine abrasives. We mention this to ensure that what follows matches how the original finish was applied to your countertops.

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