Bathroom sink, which material to choose

Which material to choose for the bathroom washbasin to be installed in your room? In this article, we will take you on an interesting journey to discover the characteristics of the main materials used today for bathroom washbasin tops. Thanks to our advice and indications, you will clarify your ideas and be able to choose the most suitable material for your specific needs and requirements.

In order to better understand which material is best for your washbasin, you should first ask yourself a simple question: What do you want to use the furniture and the washbasin for? To answer this question, you need to ask yourself whether the washbasin is to be installed in a master bathroom, for the only bathroom in your home, or for a private bathroom (will the whole family need the washbasin?).

And then you have to ask yourself: What is your budget for the new wash basin? This question is closely linked to the previous one. For a small bathroom, you might prefer a ceramic washbasin that is not too expensive. For your private en-suite bathroom, you may want to be more daring and opt for a washbasin made from a particularly high-quality marble or, alternatively, natural stone. If, on the other hand, the washbasin is to be installed in the children's bathroom, it would be better to opt for a washbasin made from a more practical material, such as stoneware or ceramic.

Main materials for a modern wash basin

Having said this in the previous paragraph, let's start our journey to discover the main materials used today for the production of quality washbasins.

Ceramic washbasin

Ceramic is probably the most classic and historical material used to make bathroom sinks. This material is recommended for those looking for a washbasin made from a material that is particularly resistant to aggressive cleaning agents. Ceramic also offers excellent value for money. Obviously, this material is not the ideal solution for those who are looking for a certain versatility in terms of colours and sizes. Overall, however, we can say that the ceramic washbasin is probably the best choice in terms of price and maintenance. Ceramic is also a material that is particularly resistant to scratches and abrasion. It has a high resistance to high temperatures and light (ceramic does not yellow over time).

As far as maintenance and cleaning are concerned, ceramic glaze protects the material from the wear and tear of time, making daily cleaning much easier. Ceramic (just like stoneware) can be cleaned using water combined with the most common detergents available on the market (even the most aggressive products such as hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid - be careful with the tap, as well as your eyes and skin). Ceramics can also be cleaned with the help of liquid detergents such as bleach and mildly abrasive creams.

Stoneware washbasin

A very interesting and commercially successful material in recent years is porcelain stoneware. Porcelain stoneware is often associated with ceramics, as both materials take shape from a common clay base, mixed with water and other substances.

Like ceramics, porcelain stoneware is an extremely resistant material. Thanks to this characteristic, the material is now the ideal solution for floor and wall coverings. In fact, stoneware is highly resistant to shocks, scratches and chemicals. For this reason, the material is one of the most widely used and loved materials in tile production today. Thanks to its versatility, stoneware is also perfect for imitating many different surfaces and materials (e.g. natural stone, corten effect and metal).

As far as cleaning and maintenance are concerned, thanks to its high resistance, the material can be cleaned with the help of water and common detergents. Stoneware surfaces can also be cleaned with liquid detergents, bleach and mildly abrasive creams. In reference to the latter, however, be careful if your stoneware has a rough surface or special effects. Finally, it should be pointed out that stoneware is in any case a surface which is already particularly hygienic in itself and therefore does not need any special shock treatment.

Glass washbasin

Glass and crystal glass are materials that are used to make durable bathroom sinks, but are very sensitive to violent shocks. If you prefer practicality and functionality to aesthetics, glass is certainly not the material for you. If, on the other hand, you put aesthetics first, then glass or crystal glass are the right materials for your washbasin.

Today, glass or crystal glass elements are produced in a wide variety of colours. Many companies in the sector also offer different types of finishes (polished, satin, extra-clear, or even satin, lacquered, wood effect or stone effect).

When it comes to maintenance and cleaning, crystal is a beautiful material with a great decorative effect. However, it is necessary to pay particular attention to these surfaces and keep them in perfect order. Crystal is particularly susceptible to scratches and limescale, and the appearance of halos is unfortunately a very frequent occurrence with this type of surface. Our advice is therefore to avoid placing perfume bottles, dehumidifiers and air fresheners on a glass or crystal basin. In addition, you should always take care to dry the surface to avoid stagnation. It is also true that the most serious and reliable manufacturers treat the surfaces with the aid of special anti-scale and anti-static substances: these surfaces are therefore able to maintain their natural shine for longer.

In any case, it is imperative that a glass or crystal washbasin is not subjected to particularly violent impacts, blunt objects falling onto the surface or hot objects being placed on it, in order to avoid an unpleasant thermal shock.

Laminam washbasin

Laminam is a new, extremely innovative material produced in Italy. It is a special type of high-performance ceramic, produced in large format slabs. Laminam is a material that is extremely resistant to impact, scratches, abrasion and the action of atmospheric agents. Thanks to its important properties, this material has now established itself in the architecture and building sectors, and is also used in the interior design sector.

Today, Laminam is used for facade cladding as well as for the production of table tops, kitchen tops, wardrobe doors and bathroom tops and washbasins.

The great commercial success of Laminam is due not only to its important properties, but also to the wide range of finishes that can be achieved with this material (marble, stone and cement effects, which are very popular for use in the bathroom environment).

As far as maintenance and cleaning are concerned, this material is extremely easy to clean and does not require any special maintenance over time. Laminam is also a very hygienic material as it does not allow the proliferation of mould and fungus. For daily cleaning of a Laminam surface, simply use a soft sponge soaked in warm water and a neutral detergent. It should also be noted that the manufacturer of this material recommends rinsing and drying the surface after cleaning to avoid the appearance of halos. Abrasive products or waxes should not be used on these surfaces.

Resin washbasin

Let's start by saying that defining a resin washbasin is not entirely correct. The resins used in the production of washbasins are different materials, which are not manufactured in the same way. Let us try to clarify this.

The main materials commonly referred to as resins are respectively

• Tekorstone
• Tekor
• Marble resin
• Ocritech
• Deimos Stone

These materials are basically mineral agglomerates, whose composition always features a resin matrix. Mineral elements are then mixed with the adhesive in order to obtain the most varied effects. For further information on these materials, please refer to one of our articles (link to article on resin washbasins).

Ecocement washbasin

Ecocement is also classified among the materials made with the help of a resin base mixed with other substances. In recent years, ecocement has become a very popular and trendy material for bathroom sinks. This material is particularly suitable for environments with a marked inspiration from the industrial furnishing style, characterised by the use of neutral colours and shades, such as white, black, grey, brown, rust or brick (link to article on industrial furnishing).

Eco-cement is a material that does not require any special maintenance. As far as cleaning is concerned, all you need to do to sanitise an eco-cement surface is to use a mixture of water and a neutral detergent. If you decide in favour of a washbasin made of eco-concrete, however, you must be careful not to allow oil, acidic substances, descaling agents or limescale removers to fall on the surface: oily substances in particular must be removed from the surface quickly.

Washbasin made of mineralguss

Mineralguss is a material consisting of calcium carbonates and aluminium trihydrates, both of which are bound with a small percentage of polyester resin. A high-quality mineralguss is usually treated with a special gelcoat film, which will significantly increase the strength of the surface. This material is extremely heat resistant and guarantees a high standard of hygiene, as it does not allow the growth of fungi or mould in any way. In addition, a mineralguss surface is seamless, which is both aesthetically pleasing and hygienic.

For maintenance and cleaning, a mineralguss surface can be sanitised and cleaned using a sponge with water and a normal detergent. It is very important that this material does not come into contact with substances such as solvents and alkaline lotions (ammonia). Absolutely keep away and avoid hair dyes. Possible stains can be removed with a slightly abrasive sponge; for general cleaning, our advice is always to carefully consult the manufacturer's recommendations.

Stone or marble washbasin

For the realisation of a bathroom furniture with washbasin in stone or marble, usually agglomerated materials are used, or alternatively pure natural stone.

As you can easily guess, natural stone and marble are particularly expensive materials compared to agglomerates, as they are more difficult to work (shape and mould). Agglomerates, besides being cheaper, are also almost indestructible materials, since they are composed of marble or stone grits, to which neutral or coloured resins are added and mixed, depending on the desired aesthetic effect.

As far as maintenance and cleaning are concerned, it should be pointed out that marble or stone surfaces have micro-porosity, into which liquids and staining substances can penetrate, causing the appearance of halos and stains that will be difficult to remove once they have settled on the surface. For this reason, we recommend that you clean your stone and marble washbasin daily and with particular care. When cleaning, it is always advisable to follow the manufacturer's instructions with the utmost care: the manufacturer, depending on the characteristics of the product, will suggest which products to use for cleaning the surface. In any case, our advice is to always dry your stone or marble washbasin after cleaning.