15 Pros and Cons of Quartz Composite Sinks

Quartz composite is one of the most durable products you can choose for a sink in your home. It works just as well in the kitchen as it does in the bathroom, offering something that is durable and neutral. Instead of settling for a stainless steel option or something pricier, this manmade material uses acrylic resin to create the look and feel of natural stone without the same cost. The manufacturing of granite composite follows a similar process to this material.

“Composite sinks… have the unique appeal of high-end materials without the added expense,” HomeAdvisor notes when comparing stainless steel with a granite or a quartz composite sink. “Since they’re not completely constructed out of one substance, you won’t be paying full price for the good stuff. Since it’s a uniform material all the way through, even if it does chip or scratch, it won’t be noticeable.”

Engineered quartz should not be confused with quartzite, which is a different natural stone produce that is useful for counters. Since this stone is an abundant material, the cost of it remains low in comparison with other choices. When finished, these sinks are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and can last for a lifetime with proper maintenance and care.

List of the Pros of Quartz Composite Sinks

1. It is a product which is very heat-resistant.
When you install a quartz composite sink in your kitchen, then you’re receiving a surface that can withstand temperatures above 500F. The durability of the product is exceptional as well, resisting stains, scratches, and impact issues while you’re working. That makes it an affordable and valuable choice because you have fewer issues with repairs or maintenance to worry about when you select this option for your home.

2. It is a non-porous surface.
Another advantage to consider with a quartz composite sink is the fact that the 80/20 mixture of natural stone with acrylic resin creates a non-porous surface. When you use a natural stone product, then the small holes in the surface of the sink or counter can absorb liquids and stains readily, making it a challenge to remove them unless you’re using harsh cleaners. This product offers a smooth surface that is easier to maintain because all you need to do is wipe it down with a warm, soapy cloth.

If you get food particles on the surface while cleaning dishes in the sink, then the odors and stains won’t spread like they would with a natural product. That makes it a simple and effective upgrade for your kitchen or bathroom because it offers more consistency without requiring ongoing investments.

3. It retains its color exceptionally well.
Quartz naturally maintains its color very well on its own, which is why this material is in such high demand. There are a wide variety of colors and tones from which to choose as well, allowing you to match almost any decorating scheme in your home. You’ll discover that the sink maintains its color and uniformity in almost every situation, even if you rattle your pots and pans in the sink frequently. You won’t need to worry about a porcelain sealant chipping, indentations, or scratching like you do with other surfaces.

4. It is an affordable option for most households.
You can purchase a high-quality quartz composite sink for about the same price as you would an entry-level stainless steel model. Depending on the size and shape of what you need, an entry-level product with this material can start under $200. If you want something with a modern design and size, you’ll still find most of the products are priced at $600 or less. That makes it a lot easier to create an upgrade for your kitchen or bathroom without blowing through your entire budget. Since the various color options allow you to create a striking style without much risk of damage, this option adds immediate value to your property.

5. It is usually quieter to use a quartz composite sink.
Because a quartz composite sink retains most of its natural soundproofing capabilities despite the man-made manufacturing process, you will discover that there are fewer issues with noise management in the kitchen then there are with other materials. Once you have the sink installed correctly, it will lessen the impact of various audio sources around your faucet, including the operation of your garbage disposal if you have one.

Most people find that an upgrade from a stainless steel model to a quartz composite sink creates a significant noise reduction.

6. It comes with several different installation options.
You will find that a quartz composite sink can be undermounted or top-mounted when you start to explore product options for your home. There are numerous options for the bowl configuration, basin depth, shape, and overall width for these sings as well. Almost every sink bowl shape that is available for the home today is manufactured using this material. That means your only choices are to determine the color that you want and the configuration that meets the needs of your kitchen or bathroom.

You can even find small round or square designs that are perfect for a prep sink or one for your bar. The larger single-bowl designs are perfect for bakeware or cookware cleaning. If you have a large family or need to soak dishes frequently, then the 1.75-bowl or double-bowl designs will give you the extra versatility you desire. The only restrictions you might encounter is if you need a custom sink for some reason.

7. It still comes with patterning options.
Although there are fewer patterns or colors with a quartz composite sink compared to a natural stone model, the surface can still offer patterns and color variations that make it visually appealing. If the quartz is coarsely ground, then the sink will typically have a flecked appearance to it. When you prefer a solid color with smoothness, then a finely-ground quartz is used for that product. Manufacturers can even match the look of cement or stainless steel with this product if you want, replicate marble, and do some other amazing things with their patterning.

8. It is available through several different manufacturers.
When the first quartz composite sinks began to reach the residential marketplace, there were only two primary manufacturers with an established name: Caesarstone and Silestone. Cambria, LG Viatera, Zodiaq, Celador, and other brand names are making their mark on the industry as well. All of the products provide a surface that is equally good in most situations, so your final choice is largely dependent on the cost and color of the sinks that you like.

9. It is an environmentally friendly technology that produces these sinks.
Did you know that a quartz composite sink is a “green” product? When you are using an engineered stone, then what you receive are the waste byproducts that are part of other manufacturing or quarrying activities. No rock materials are specifically harvested from a quarry so that a manufactured sink can come from that process. Even the resins which make this surface smooth and easy to maintain are becoming more natural in recent years.

Breton trademarked the term Biolenic Resins to refer to this new process, which uses non-food vegetable oils with artificial resins to create a sturdy product. As an extra benefit, you won’t need to worry about radon, a natural radioactive gas, that is found in granite.

List of the Cons of Quartz Composite Sinks

1. It does not offer the same level of color variation.
Because a quartz composite sink is a composite product instead of being 100% natural, you will discover that there are fewer variations available in shine, pattern, and color as there would be with other stone sinks. There aren’t glossy finishes available with this product either, which means you’re left with a matte surface only. Although this design means you can coordinate with other quartz products effectively in the kitchen or the bathroom, you will have fewer choices available to you in the long run when choosing this option.

Some manufacturers are starting to offer textured or polished finishes with their new quartz composite sink options, but these models are not available in every community.

2. It provides a hard sink surface.
When you have a quartz composite sink installed in your home, then you are creating an unforgiving surface for your dishes and glasses. If you accidentally drop something into the basin while working, it is not unusual to have that item break. There is much less forgiveness with this surface than there are with stainless steel sinks. If you have expensive dishware or China that you wish to preserve, then you will need to be extremely careful while cleaning them if this item is in your kitchen.

3. It offers limits to its customization.
Because this material is more flexible than other natural options, there are several standard quartz composite sink designs which can work for your home. What you will discover is that there are some limits to the overall customization features if you need something specific in your kitchen or bathroom. You have malleability with this product, especially if you can work directly with a producer, but the average contractor is going to be unable to cut something to size for you without bringing the integrity of the sink into question.

4. It can show a lot of wear and tear with the darker colors.
Most homeowners go with a lighter color when choosing a quartz composite sink for their kitchen or bathroom because the darker shades tend to show scrapes more often. If you need a prep or bar sink for your home, then an earth tone could provide a striking contrast for your decorating scheme. Anything that is a high-use product should be in a shade of white to maximize the aesthetic value because of this disadvantage, which means you’ll pay a little more for the privilege of the popular color.

Jamie Blake of Blakes London notes that brighter surfaces are more popular right now anyway when speaking with Remodelista. “There’s a big trend at the moment to use lighter worktops instead of darker granites,” he noted. “This has created a huge opening for products, such as quartzes, that come in light colors.”

5. It is a product which comes from one single source.
If you purchase a quartz composite sink from any brand, then you are using a technology that was first created in 1963 to create engineered stone. The Breton Company, who keeps their headquarters in northeastern Italy, licenses the process of engineered stone through their trademark called Bretonstone®. Even though this technology has been around for more than 50 years, over fifty different companies around the world pay for licenses to use this process. If you own Caesarstone, Cambria, or Silestone, then you’re actually using this one resource.

You will find that today’s manufacturers do use some nuances and flair to create distinctive process, but they are all still working off of the original patent.

6. It has a surge in popularity that is driving down the cost of other materials.
Research from the Freedonia Group suggests that the popularity of quartz composite sinks is causing other engineered stone products, such as granite composite, to become more affordable since there is more availability. Because the two products offer a similar cost structure for homeowners, you might find that there are more choices available for you with an alternative material.

The pros and cons of selecting a quartz composite sink for your home focus on value, appearance, and use. There are a variety of styles and patterns from which to choose, but the color options might be somewhat limited to some homeowners. It works well if your space requires a standardized product, but it may not be appropriate if you need a completely custom item to work in the kitchen or bathroom. By evaluating each of these key points, you can make the determination on whether or not this choice is the best option for your house.