Acrylic sink in the house: advantages and features of the material (30 photos)
Content
Increasingly, an acrylic sink can be found today in the bathroom or in the kitchen of owners of apartments of various levels of comfort. The reason for this is the properties of this sanitary ware, entirely determined by the material of its manufacture, which is an artificial acrylic stone. It was called acrylic because its production uses a special acrylic-based plastic mass with a modified kinetics of polymerization, as a result of which the occurrence of pores in the resulting material is eliminated, and its physical and chemical parameters are improved.
An interesting feature of acrylic plastic is that after its polymerization, monomers (low molecular weight compounds) are practically not observed in the resulting products. As a result, such plumbing products have increased biological indifference to many biological objects. It also has lower toxicity compared to products based on polyester / epoxy resins.
It is also important that it does not contain styrene, the daily inhalation of which fumes can lead to serious diseases that can turn into chronic ailments over time
In the manufacture of artificial stone, in addition to acrylic resin, another important component is a mineral filler in the form of:
- silica sand;
- marble or granite chips;
- microcalcite or other natural material.
Acrylic Plumbing Product Features
Acrylic sinks for the bathroom and also acrylic sinks for the kitchen are in ever-increasing demand. And the reason for their popularity is that they possess:
- high strength
- low weight;
- resistance to alkalis, and also to acids (as a result of which stains from products do not remain on the surface of, for example, acrylic sinks);
- moisture resistance (especially acrylic shells coated with hydrophobic compounds);
- the ability to eliminate the effects of thermal effects (by treating the damaged surface with fine-grained emery paper and applying subsequent polishing);
- ease of maintenance (the sink made of acrylic stone, used as a sink or washbasin, can be cleaned with any household detergents);
- resistance to shock (an acrylic shell will not crack when a heavy hard object falls into it, in contrast to a similar product made of earthenware or porcelain);
- the property does not absorb odors;
- hygiene (the surface of shells made of artificial stone is absolutely smooth, there are no pores and microcracks in it, where dirt often accumulates, and bacteria, microbes and mold find shelter);
- resistance to elevated temperatures (acrylic sink will not suffer if boiling water is poured into it);
- environmental cleanliness (no harmful substances are released during the operation of acrylic products);
- the ability to connect acrylic products without seams (for example, to combine a sink with a countertop);
- a variety of color and design solutions (allowing you to choose a plumbing product that will best meet your aesthetic needs).
Scope of application of acrylic sinks
Due to its excellent consumer qualities, acrylic plumbing is used in many cases, both at home and at various enterprises. Below are some options for its application.
- Kitchen sinks. In this case, the use of artificial stone is the most optimal solution, since it is extremely resistant to pollution and all kinds of dyes, can withstand even the effects of aggressive household chemicals.
- Washbasins and sinks in the bathroom. Here, their hygiene is of paramount importance, and the ability to not be destroyed by the action of hot water / steam. Maintenance of such products is also simple, due to the low porosity of the material from which they are made.
- Plumbing in hospitals, dispensaries and other medical institutions. Artificial stone is easily cleaned of dirt, it does not serve as a soil for the development of bacteria due to the lack of pores in it, and can withstand fairly difficult disinfection procedures.
- Sinks in toilets of public institutions. Here, their high impact strength and the ability to repel dirt, as well as the ease of cleaning, are even more important than in a person’s living space: in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the toilet. The material used in products operated in places related to public use experiences maximum load. And acrylic stone in this case is the best choice.
- Design projects. Frequent use of acrylic in this case is associated with the possibility of its softening when heated to 150-180 ° C, when it is able to take almost any shape. As a result, it is possible to create a sink not of a standard rectangular, square or round shape, but, for example, curvilinear, asymmetrical, imitating some kind of object. The plasticity of a material such as acrylic allows you to diversify the interior of bathrooms and kitchens. Artificial stone for these rooms can be made not only sinks and sinks, but also floor tables, countertops, facades and more.
Acrylic sink installation options
Acrylic sinks can be divided into the following types, differing in mounting method:
- false acrylic sinks;
- built-in acrylic sinks;
- cantilever acrylic sinks attached to the wall (the most popular option, characterized by maximum compactness);
- artificial stone washbasins on a pedestal (these models have an acrylic column in which a siphon and supply pipes can be hidden);
- acrylic sinks with a cabinet (the latter can be with doors, with or without shelves, etc., but they are rarely installed in the kitchen due to the fact that it is difficult to combine them with the rest of the kitchen set).
Installation of the overhead sink is made into a hole in the countertop previously sawn under it of the appropriate size, and when mounting the built-in sink, it connects to the countertop material, as a rule, flush and without seams.
Also today it is possible to order an acrylic sink in the bathroom or in the kitchen according to individual parameters. At the same time, taking into account the data set forth in the project provided by the customer, firms specializing in the manufacture of acrylic plumbing can produce the products of any color and any shape required by customers. An acrylic sink, made to order, can be a single whole with any other products, giving the bathroom / kitchen interior a finished, refined and elegant look. The richness of the color range of acrylic materials is provided by the ability to add a variety of color pigments to the base composition.
Customers, choosing a sink to order, can order models allowing the installation of any units directly under them, including washing machines. Most often, an acrylic sink, providing the possibility of placing a washing machine under it, is mounted in bathrooms or kitchens of small sizes. At the same time, the order should indicate both the dimensions of the client’s washing machine and the desired dimensions of the sink located above it, to ensure that the manufacturer combines the dimensions of all the components. If a sink made of artificial stone is installed above the washing machine, then the latter should be able to front-load. The accompanying documentation for this type of sinks usually indicates which models of washing machines and which manufacturers can be installed under them.
Acrylic Shell Reviews
Although this type of sanitary products does not belong to the category of cheap goods, its consumer demand continues to grow. Many satisfied with the acquisition of the hostess, communicating with each other on the forums, share only positive impressions of the purchased product. In the vast majority of cases, they leave exclusively favorable reviews on the websites of manufacturers of acrylic sinks.
Consumers are satisfied with the quality of the sinks and their long service life, noting that, even after serving seven or eight years, the sinks in most cases are not much different from newly purchased items. Comparing acrylic sinks with similar products from other commonly used materials, the housewives praise the design perfection, the absence of noise from the water flow, and the protection of stains during operation, and the ease of care. Other customers, having installed a sink in the kitchen or in the bathroom in such a way that a washing machine can also be placed under it, enjoy the convenience and economical use of the free space of these rooms, as well as the resulting compactness of equipment placement and aesthetics of the look.