Kitchen Sink Materials – Our Top 4
Following our recent article on the 3 Basic Sink Types, we explored the under mount, drop-in, and farmhouse-style sinks. These all come in various configurations, sizes, and materials. It occurred to us that you may not be familiar with the different materials kitchen sinks come in.
From stainless steel, to ceramic, there are a number of different sink materials that you’ll see when searching for the perfect sink for your kitchen remodel or renovation. As with anything for the home, it’s important to understand the material properties, performance, and maintenance to ensure you choose the right piece for your home.
In this article, we take you through the four most common kitchen sink materials and delve into their unique properties, performance abilities, and maintenance levels.
Let’s take a closer look!
1. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is one of the most popular kitchen sink materials, and with good reason! With its hygienic properties, resistance to stains and rust, they are also budget friendly. It’s no wonder that stainless steel sinks are seen in commercial environments, because their features definitely lend well to frequent use.
You can easily find stainless steel undermount, drop-in, and even farmhouse sinks! Main stainless steel sinks are available as a single or double bowl configuration to give you maximum flexibility.
Stainless steel sinks are extremely hard wearing, and are a great choice for busy families that don’t want to worry about maintenance for their kitchen sink.
Do you like the idea of a metal sink but not stainless steel? Consider copper or brass to make a statement!
2. Fireclay
Fireclay is another well-known sink material that you may see a lot of when searching for a kitchen sink. Fireclay is a clay based ceramic that gets heated inside a kiln at an extreme temperature. You may have heard that ceramic sinks are prone to breakages or are delicate, but that is far from the truth with fireclay! Due to the intense heat in the kiln, they are actually extremely durable and strong.
Fireclay sinks are resistant to heat damage, hot water, acids, and many household chemicals. Because of this, fireclay sinks are another good choice for busy families.
While fireclay is more durable than porcelain as a material, if it is struck by a heavy object the sink may chip or crack. However fireclay sinks are more resistant to chipping and scratches than porcelain, it is something to be aware of when considering a fireclay sink in your home.
3. Ceramic
Ceramic kitchen sinks are very similar to fireclay, but do not contain any clay which makes them less durable in general. Even still, ceramic sinks are a traditional sink material which are still widely available today.
Ceramic kitchen sinks are relatively durable and easy to clean. But avoid dropping heavy objects as this can cause chipping or breaks. That said, you should also avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach on a ceramic sink.
One aspect to consider with ceramic kitchen sinks is that they tend to be on the pricier side than other kitchen sink materials.
While it may appear to have some disadvantages, ceramic sinks have been widely used for hundreds of years! Ceramic is a classic material for any sink type. If you prefer a traditional and classic look and feel to your home, then you should consider ceramic as an option.
4. Composite
Finally, let’s take a look at composite sinks!
You may not know that much about composite sinks, and that’s because they are relatively new to the market. Their popularity increased when quartz and composite countertops became commonplace.
Composite sinks are usually engineered from quartz and mixed with resin. The combination of both of these materials creates a highly durable kitchen sink that performs similarly to composite countertops. They are also available in different colors and finishes!
Many composite sinks are resistant to scratches, stains, acid, and high temperatures, making them the perfect choice for many modern homes. The surface is also extremely easy to clean!
Conclusion
So there you have it! The four most common kitchen sink materials explained.
Still not sure which route to take for your kitchen sink? Here are a few pointers to conclude the article.
If durability is a priority for you, then a composite or stainless steel sink should be at the top of your list! There are many budget friendly options out there for these materials as well.
Composite and stainless steel sinks are perhaps the more modern choices available, while if you’re looking for a traditional sink then fireclay should be your go-to because of its durability.