Disadvantages of a Gel Top Sink

Prone to Cracking

• One of the biggest disadvantages of a gel top sink is that the gel coating is prone to cracking and blistering. This cracking and blistering is known as crazing in the industry, and it is a particularly serious danger with low end, low cost, gel coated sinks. If you plan to purchase a gel coated sink, consider the quality of the materials carefully. It may be worth paying a bit more for a top quality sink, rather than simply buying the cheapest one you can find.

Scratch Resistance

• Scratch resistance is an important consideration for any bathroom sink. Unfortunately, gel coated sinks have a low resistance to scratches. That low scratch resistance can make a gel coated sink a poor choice for a bathroom that is used heavily. A gel coated sink can be a good choice for a guest bathroom that is used only occasionally, since the scratch resistance would not be as big a consideration there.

Durability

• Durability is an important consideration when shopping for a new bathroom sink, and gel top sinks can be less durable than either natural granite or stone or traditional acrylics. The fact that this type of coating is so prone to scratching and cracking can reduce the durability of the finish, and that can reduce the life expectancy of the sink and increase the long-term cost of your bathroom remodeling project.

Difficult Repair

• It can be difficult to repair a gel top sink, especially if it has cracked or blistered badly. A badly cracked or blistered gel top sink may require the assistance of a professional restorer to fix those problems and get the sink back to its original appearance. Those professional repairs can be quite expensive, and that can increase the overall cost of your bathroom remodel and more than make up for the money you saved by purchasing an inexpensive gel top sink.