Quartz Vs Stainless Steel Sink: Full Comparison

Your kitchen sink plays a key role in your kitchen. Whether it’s washing dishes or rinsing vegetables, without the luxury of a kitchen sink, the process will become even more complicated. However, choosing the perfect sink for your kitchen can be tricky, especially considering a large number of options available on the market.

Kitchen sinks are available in a variety of materials such as clay, quartz, copper, stainless steel, and more. This article will compare quartz and stainless steel sinks to help you determine if one of these materials is the right choice for your kitchen.

Quartz Kitchen Sinks

Quartz kitchen sinks are composed of a thick mixture of stone and acrylic polymer resin. Quartz is a natural stone composed of quartz crystals and sandstone that have been combined over a long period of time by heat and pressure. It is crushed and mixed with a unique acrylic emulsion in an 80/20 ratio. The combination of these two creates a durable, attractive sink.

Quartz sinks have a non-porous coating that kills and prevents the development of up to 98% of bacteria, algae, mold and mildew spores. This aspect makes quartz the best choice for kitchen sinks because you don’t run the risk of creating a petri dish in your kitchen sink.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Quartz Sinks?

Pros

• Durable and long-lasting. These sinks can last for many years with proper care and can easily withstand daily use.
• Scratch, stain and heat resistant: These sinks can tolerate high heat levels and are quite resistant to scratches and stains.
• Stainless steel and quartz are very similar in terms of porosity. Both are non-porous, allowing them to resist the growth of various types of bacteria and other undesirable things. Since bacteria cannot develop quickly on the solid surface of the quartz, it is more resistant to odors than other sink materials that may be porous.
• Quartz is significantly quieter than other sink materials, namely stainless steel. While dropping dishes in the sink, especially if there is something else in the sink, will certainly make some clicking noises, it is nowhere near as loud as dropping dishes in a stainless steel sink.
• Easy to clean. The non-porous nature of quartz sinks makes them very easy to clean.
• Versatile: These sinks are available in many models, styles and colors to meet the aesthetic tastes of all types of customers.
• Heavy duty. Quartz sinks are known for their long-lasting durability.

Cons

• While quartz sinks are much cheaper than other materials, such as clay, they are more expensive than stainless steel. Typically, a high-quality quartz sink will cost you more than a few hundred dollars.
• If heavy dishes are dropped in the sink, they may shatter (although very unlikely). Quartz sinks are very similar to stone. However, they are susceptible to wear and tear from repeated abuse from heavy dishes dropped into the bottom.
• Very hard on dishware. If you accidentally drop fragile items in a quartz sink, they may break, considering the sink’s hard, unforgiving surface. Always be careful when washing delicate, fragile dishes or items in a quartz sink because they can break or shatter if you drop them.
• Dark colors may fade. The color of dark quartz sinks may fade over time. Although the sink material itself is known for its longevity, dark finishes may fade over time after repeated contact with dishes and scrubbing.
• Limited choice of finishes. Quartz may come in many colors, but is generally only available in matte finishes. If you are looking for a high gloss sink, quartz may not be the best choice for you. Also, while quartz sinks are available in a variety of solid colors, there are usually no patterns to choose from.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Are Quartz Sinks Prone To Cracking?

No, they are not prone to cracking. Quartz is very durable, making it resistant to cracks, stains, scratches and heat.

Are Composite Sinks Durable?

Yes, as we mentioned in the previous answer, composite materials are usually very durable and can last for many years. Quartz sinks are usually made with an 80/20 ratio of stone and filler. Sinks with a lower ratio of stone are not as durable, so when choosing a quartz composite sink, choose one with a higher ratio of stone to filler.

What Are Common Quartz Composite Sink Problems?

Quartz composite sinks are usually problem-free in most cases. However, they are usually limited to small, fixable problems such as small stains or shallow scratches when problems do occur.

What’s The Difference? Composite Granite Vs. Composite Quartz?

Granite composite and quartz composite are two common sink materials. They are both made up of ground natural stone (granite or quartz) and some sort of filler. Granite is porous while quartz is not, which makes quartz the best choice for kitchen sinks.

The main difference between the two is the base of the material. Obviously, a granite composite sink is made of ground granite and resin filler, while a quartz composite sink is made of ground quartz and acrylic filler.

Granite sinks, like quartz sinks, are very durable and are resistant to heat and scratches. Granite is composed of several minerals, including quartz, mica and feldspar. The natural state of the stone is denser than quartz alone, making it more durable than quartz composite.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel consists of mild steel combined with a chromium content of at least 10.5% by weight. Chromium adds corrosion resistance, unique stainless steel properties, and increased mechanical quality.

The wonderful thing about stainless steel sinks is that the concentration of chromium creates an invisible, adherent, corrosion-resistant coating of chromium oxide. This film is self-healing, meaning that whether it is mechanically or chemically damaged, it can repair itself as long as it is exposed to oxygen.

 

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Stainless Steel Sinks?

Pros

• One of the most attractive features of stainless steel sinks is their resistance to rust. This steel alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, making it ideal for kitchen sinks, especially considering how often they are exposed to water.
• Porous sink materials can allow bacteria and other unpleasant things to grow. However, the smooth, non-porous surface of stainless steel prevents this from happening.
• Versatility: This compound is malleable, allowing it to take on a variety of shapes.
• High heat resistance. Stainless steel can withstand temperatures of up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. The unusually high heat resistance is more than adequate for everyday use.
• Lightweight. The compound has a very good strength-to-weight ratio, making it lightweight but rugged.
• Easy to install. Its lightweight makes sinks made from it easy to install.
• Stainless steel can easily withstand plates, bowls and pans being dropped into it without breaking.
• Stainless steel is a very popular choice because it is inexpensive, lightweight, and durable.
• A wide range of finishes is available. Although stainless steel sinks come in one color, you can choose from several different finishes. They come in shiny, mirror-like finishes, as well as matte, brushed, satin (a slightly less shiny finish than a mirror), and textured finishes (which are very difficult to clean).

 Cons

• No other color options. Stainless steel sinks are only available in silver, so you don’t get as wide a selection as you do with other sink materials.
• Not completely stain resistant: While stainless steel is very durable, hard water deposits will still happily take up residence on the sink. The solution, however, is simple: simply use a vinegar-based solution to solve the problem.
• Prone to scratches. If you use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers, you may scratch your sink. Stainless steel sinks have veins or patterns on them, and if you rub the grain of the sink with an abrasive, you may ruin its appearance.
• Noise: These sinks are not particularly quiet. If you drop your dishes in the sink, it will be very loud, even if you have shock-absorbing pads or rubber mats installed at the bottom.

Quartz Vs. Stainless Steel

Both quartz and stainless steel are exceptional material choices for the perfect kitchen sink that will effortlessly meet and exceed your expectations. Both materials are hygienic, non-porous, heat resistant, and durable. From there, they both exhibit unique advantages, such as the stain-resistant surface of quartz or the lightweight nature of stainless steel.

These materials are available in many different modern designs. Before you choose the perfect product for your kitchen, make sure you analyze every different angle of each sink material, doing so will help you make the best choice for your kitchen.

Is A Quartz Sink Or A Stainless Steel Sink Better?

The best kitchen sink material depends on your personal preferences and the needs of your kitchen. Both stainless steel and quartz are good choices, but you will have to decide based on your preferences. For example, if you prefer a shiny finish, a stainless steel sink is a better choice.

On the other hand, if the quieter, easier-to-clean nature of quartz sounds more appealing to you, then go with quartz. Note that quartz sinks tend to be more expensive than stainless steel sinks, but both are good choices for their own reasons.