Natural stone basins offer homeowners an alternative to the bathroom and kitchen décor. There are many types of natural stone materials that make beautiful basins, from the common stone basins like granite, marble, soapstone, to the rarer ones like travertine, onyx and even petrified wood. Before you get blown away by the beauty of these classic stone basins, you need to know more about the pros and cons. Are stone basins suitable for your ideal bathroom?
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✓ Classic and Unique Design
Stone basins are admired for their beautiful specks, swirls and veining. You will never find two identical stone basins. Hence, homeowners who love exclusivity and classic styles will be very much attracted to natural stone basins for their uniqueness and elegance.
✓ Versatile
A stone basin in its natural form is both ornamental and functional. It can easily match your home décor with its versatile design. You can create an aesthetically stylish contrast in material between the countertop and basin. The raw beauty of the natural stone makes a perfect conversation starter. If you are an ardent fan of natural stone countertops, you can create a visually seamless appearance for your countertop and basin using the same material. Imagine a bold black granite countertop paired with a granite basin of the same colour. Such elegance!
✓ Solid and Durable
Natural stone basins are strong and durable. They are not susceptible to dent or rust. Unless you use excessive force, granite and marble basins are almost indestructible. With proper maintenance, your stone sink can last you a lifetime!
✓ Resistance to Heat
Generally, stone basins have a relatively high resistance to heat. Granite stone is naturally cool to the touch. Natural stones have encountered harsher temperature elements. A little warm water will not damage your basin.
✘ Not Suitable for Heavy Usage
While it is versatile in terms of design, stone basins are more suitable for light usage. If you have a busy family home, frequent usage and cleaning of the basin may wear off the protection layer. The beautiful basin that you envisioned may not be the best piece of fitting in a practical environment.
✘ Requires Regular Maintenance
Most natural stone basins are porous in nature. Basins that are made of marble and granite need to be sealed to prevent staining and harbouring bacteria. Soapstone basins need to be oiled to preserve their colour. The moment you opt for a stone basin, you have signed yourself up for lifelong maintenance.
✘ Heavy
Natural stone basins are heavier than the usual man-made basins. There are some block stone basins that require the strength of four men to install them. That’s a hefty piece of fitting for a kitchen and bathroom. Hence, before deciding on a stone basin for your ideal bathroom, you need to consider the size and material of your countertop. Can your countertop handle the weight of the stone basin? Also, you may need extra reinforcement to support the weight of both your countertop and basin. If you have a small bathroom, this heavyweight beauty may not always be suitable for you.
✘ Difficult to Clean
Marble basins, though absolutely stunning, are prone to etching if an acidic cleaning agent is used. Be careful when you are cleaning your basin with vinegar and baking soda. This wonderful hack, while it may work on granite, may not be the all-in-one solution when it comes to your marble basin. Also, if you do engage a house cleaner for your home, you’ll need to educate them on how to clean your stone basin. A hardworking cleaner may accidentally damage and scratch your stone surface by scrubbing vigorously with abrasive cleaning agents. Another cause for concern is staining from hard water. The water source from your tap usually contains traces of minerals like iron and calcium. When the mineral deposit oxidises, the stain becomes obvious, more so when your basin is light-coloured. The stains can still be removed, but you will require specialised care from professionals to treat your stone basin.
Are Stone Basins Suitable For Your Ideal Bathroom?
The fascination with natural stone basins is justified because of how timeless and elegant they look. However, you will need to weigh in the pros and cons and factor in your lifestyle needs before making a decision to deck your home with this unique feature.
If you are looking for the best bathroom store in Hornsby that understands your needs, do not hesitate to call or visit Ideal Bathroom Centre today!
