What Are Resin Basins And Are They Any Good?
We have all heard of ceramic, solid surface, concrete and stainless steel basins. But What are resin basins? Are they any good? What are the benefits? And how do they differ from other materials?
It’s essential to understand the differences between the two main resins used in basin manufacturing and how they compare to other commonly used materials.
Resin basins stand out for their robustness, low maintenance, distinctive transparency and lustrous appearance, surpassing traditional materials with their high-density composition and flexible properties that allow for customisation in both colour and form. This makes resin basins not only a great choice but also an investment.
Of course, the level of quality depends on the type of resin used in the basin.
While some resins excel in durability, sustainability, price, and water permeability, others may fall short, exhibiting a highly toxic production process, lower moisture resistance and substandard quality.
The Type Of Resin Basins
Only a few resin basins exist on the market, with the two prominent types of resins used to manufacture them being Polyester and Oxyform™.
Many bathware manufacturers also combine cheap materials like crushed rocks, aluminium powder and concrete into Polyester resin to lower the cost of production. These are known as solid surface basins.
Polyester Resin Basins
Polyester resin is widely popular because it is inexpensive and relatively easy to use, making the mass production of polyester basins simple and cheap, which can be a good option for those with a tight budget.
Problem is Polyester resin contains highly toxic and carcinogenic fillers like styrene.
Styrene is a carcinogen that negatively affects the environment and human health.
And Styrene alone can make up 30% to 50% of polyester resin. This filler is highly harmful and extremely difficult to break down.
The more styrene in polyester, the cloudier, weaker and more brittle it gets. So when a polyester basin hits the ground or experiences a hard impact, it’s likely to crack or chip.
Polyester is less moisture resistant with inferior durability compared to other resins like Oxyform™. Polyester resin is also prone to water degradation, which is not the most favourable trait for a basin.
Polyester resin basins have an inherent problem due to their fast curing rate. During production, they form microbubbles, small air pockets throughout the material that weaken it and can look unattractive. Most microbubbles in polyester basins are invisible to the naked eye, but once light hits it, it bounces off those bubbles, magnifying the imperfections and giving the basin an unappealing look.
Overall, polyester basins are a cheap option but come with a series of issues affecting their durability, longevity, environmental impact and appearance. So when purchasing a polyester resin basin, it’s important to keep these considerations in mind.
Oxyform™ Resin Basins
Oxyform™, used and developed exclusively by The Basin Lab, is a unique composition made from the purest resin. Oxyform™ resin is a high-cost, luxury material, far superior to polyester resin because it’s virtually indestructible, low-maintenance, and sustainable, designed to last a lifetime.
Unlike polyester resin, Oxyform™ is not hazardous to the environment with near-zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). No styrene or harmful chemicals are present in its composition, making it much safer for the planet and the workplace. Oxyform™ is also completely oxygen-cured, requiring minimal electricity and no water, ovens or additional chemicals.
The Basin Lab’s Oxyform™ basins are exceedingly more resilient than polyester and industry-standard materials. Oxyform™ basins are designed to endure everyday use. They’re resistant to chemicals, corrosion, electrical and heat damage. All these physical factors make them ideal for high-stress commercial environments, seaside developments and residential housing.
Oxyform™ is a non-porous, anti-bacterial and highly stain-resistant material, eliminating the need to continuously apply sealers.
The resin composition allows for endless colour customisation. Their basins can be customised to match any colour in the spectrum, including tile, paint and branding colours. Perfect for Architects, interior designers or people who want something personalised to complement their bathroom aesthetic.
What sets Oxyform™ basins apart is their purity. Each one is entirely free from microbubbles. Because of the resin’s transparency, The Basin Lab has developed the perfect lighting companion to their Oxyform™ basins called the “iLLUMi™ Lightbox.” This low-voltage lighting accessory illuminates their Oxyform™ basins, giving the bathroom a soothing and relaxing spa-like ambience.
Oxyform™ resin outperforms polyester, solid surface, and other frequently used materials because of its performance, quality and minimal environmental impact. The Basin Lab’s Oxyform™ basins are for astute buyers who want a robust, sustainable and beautiful luxurious bathware product.
Solid Surface Basins
Most polyester resin bathware manufacturers incorporate other materials into their polyester basins like aluminium powder, crushed stone and concrete to achieve their desired appearance.
These solid surface Basins in comparison to pure resin basins are of lower quality and do not have the same clear and transparent properties that pure resin basins offer. The combination of materials makes them more prone to scratching and gives them a dull finish.
Solid surface basins have a matte finish because each added material has a different density and hardness. A polished finish is only achievable using sealers, waxes or a clear 2Pac paint, these have limited lifespans.
Resin Basins Vs. Other Materials: Unveiling The Differences
Pure resin basins have a stark contrast to other common basin materials. The unique characteristics that set pure resin basins apart are beauty, touch, durability, longevity, environmental impact, maintenance, and distinctive features.
Beauty and Touch
Compared to most other basin materials, nothing is as customisable as resin basins. Resin can be moulded into any shape and has abundant options for colour and texture. Colour psychology is an integral part of bathroom design. The basin and bathroom colours should harmonise to evoke a specific mood and atmosphere.
Resin basins have a tactile luxury. Simply running your hand over the surface boasts a silky-smooth touch that transcends the ordinary industrial feel of concretes or metals. Resin basins bring a natural warmth to your fingertips, ensuring a comfortable and inviting sensation. What sets resin basins apart is their ability to enhance the senses.
Durability & Longevity
In durability and longevity pure resin basins prove their worth compared to most other materials. These other materials are susceptible to chipping and cracking. Resins like Oxyform™ offer robust performance that withstand the test of time.
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
Oxyform™ Resin basins are among the most environmentally friendly basins. The Basin Lab’s Oxyform™ basins are 100% oxygen-cured. They use minimal electricity, no water, no ovens, or additional chemicals in their manufacturing process. This makes their CO2 emissions substantially less than all other basin materials.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Maintaining an Oxyform™ resin basin is effortless. You only need soapy water and a sponge for a quick, eco-friendly clean. No harsh chemicals are required that ultimately end up in our precious waterways.
Oxyform™ non-porous, stain-resistant, and anti-bacterial nature eliminates the repetitive application of waxes or sealers common with most other basin materials.
Conclusion
While choosing bathware is subjective, understanding the distinctive features of resin basins and how they compare to other commonly used materials will help you make an informed decision aligned with your preferences and values.
With Polyester resin basins, while budget-friendly, come with drawbacks such as high toxicity and a propensity to crack. In contrast, Oxyform™ resin basins are virtually indestructible, low-maintenance, and environmentally sustainable, devoid of harmful carcinogens like styrene.
