Solid surface sink VS Ceramic basin
As we all know, ceramic and porcelain sinks have been widely accepted for many years, and most people are accustomed to choosing porcelain basins for bathroom sinks. As a good alternative, solid surface sinks are becoming more and more popular among hotel project designers and home designers because it has many advantages over ceramic sinks. Let's take a look at the characteristics of solid surface basins that ceramic basins do not.
1. Material name
Unlike ceramics made of clay, the solid surface basin is made of acrylic solid surface material (high-quality acrylic resin plus aluminum powder). This versatile material is widely used in kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity countertops. Its flexibility allows designers to create clever designs with a modern style. For example, a modern bathroom design may require a square basin with a straight edge at an angle of nearly 90 degrees. This is easy to achieve for solid surface sinks; however, you may rarely find very right-angled ceramic basins because they are difficult to produce.
In terms of style, ceramic basins are relatively conservative, and solid basins are closely connected with modern and fashionable designs.
2. The difference in surface hardness
Generally, the surface of a ceramic basin is harder than a solid basin and is more resistant to scratches. However, the Barcol hardness range for solid surface basins is 50-62, depending on the quality, the harder the better. Compared with ceramics, the solid surface is slightly softer and occasionally scratched, but fortunately, these tiny scratches can be polished by sanding and polishing.
3. Solid surface material is conducive to making extra-large wash basins
Public bathrooms usually require an extra-long one-piece basin of 1.5m to 1.8m or any length required. Solid surface basins can be made in any size, but it will be very difficult and expensive to use ceramics to make large-sized basins.
4.Seamless jointing with countertops without grout
Unlike ceramic sinks, solid surface basins can be seamlessly connected to solid surface countertops without grouting joints. Therefore, they are easy to keep clean, and there is no growth of mold at the joints.
5. The ceramic basin is fragile and easy to crack during transportation
Generally speaking, ceramic basins are very fragile and must be wrapped very carefully during transportation, otherwise, they will break easily. However, high-quality solid surface sinks are stronger and more durable, so the risk of cracking during transportation and movement is low.
6. Service life
If properly maintained, ceramic and solid surface sinks can be used for decades. After many years of use, the color of acrylic solid basins and ceramic basins will be slightly darker than the new ones. It is recommended to wipe the basin with ordinary household cleaners regularly to clean it thoroughly. You may also need to sand and polish the acrylic solid surface basin to completely get rid of marks and scratches.