Kitchen decoration is undoubtedly one of the hardest work for most people. The ultimate goal is an aesthetic design with full necessary features of a kitchen, so there are a lot of pieces of equipment you have to buy.
And a kitchen sink plays a vital role in the kitchen, both in the preliminary food processing and dishwashing.
Like other products, you have to concern many aspects before purchasing. For a sink is the size, style, price, and the most important factor is the material.
So what kitchen sink material is best for you? Let’s take a view.
Stainless Steel
Almost all households nowadays are using the stainless steel sink due to the advantages it brings for users, such as variations in size and types, durability, and affordability.
The durability comes from the combination of nickel and chromium. Both of these metals can prevent the surface from corrosion as well as high temperatures damage.
The stainless sink comes with the 16 – 20 gauge (gauge is the measurement unit of thickness). A sink has smaller gauge value is thicker and more durable, so a sturdy product is usually less than 18 gauge.
A stainless sink also has a budget-friendly price; you have to spend around $100 to $900 to own a quality one. If your kitchen already has the stone or granite countertops, then a stainless steel materials sink fit with your style.
But this sink requires regular cleanup as the surface can appear the stains, especially if you use the hard water.
Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron
These porcelain-enameled cast iron come with different colors but mostly in white, bringing a royal design to your kitchen.
But be careful, an elegant thing needs special care.
Though the enameled surface is quite easy to clean, you shouldn’t use the acid substance or abrasive cleaners to clean the surface. These chemical things can damage the enamel layer, which exposes and rust the cast iron underneath.
Otherwise, the enamel layer also can’t stand high physical interaction and high temperature, so please don’t throw a heavy, sharp thing and boiling water into the sink. You can break the enamel layer, also known as the protective coat of the sink.
Fireclay
Fireclay and porcelain-enamel are quite similar; both of these materials are made from the white clay fuse with glaze. But Fireclay is more advanced as the clay and mineral are heated with high temperature.
Thanks to the heat process, the materials have higher durability. A fireclay sink can handle hot water easily.
The fireclay sink also has an elegant look with shining white color. That’s why this product is usually used in high-quality construction such as a five-star hotel or a big shopping mall.
This kind of sink is quite heavy, so you need cabinetry and reinforced countertops to support it.
With the elegant feel and high durability, a quality fireclay is pretty pricey. You only have to spend around $300-$500 for a porcelain enameled cast iron while a fireclay sink can cost you up to $1000.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a unique material which contains fiberglass and mostly sturdy polycarbonate plastic. This material allows you to mold in any shape, so Acrylic is a perfect choice if you want to have a unique sink design.
This material is also lightweight, so it’s quite easy to install; you can do it yourself without any help.
A small scratch is not a problem for the Acrylic surface. Unlike other materials, you can remove scratches by sanding, polishing out, or using some buffing compound.
And the most special of Acrylic sink is that it can reduce the noise when you throw something into it due to the soft surface.
But this plastic material ‘doesn’t have a long lifespan as other material. It’s sensitive with the sharp object so even a paintbrush can scratch the surface easily.
Copper
Not only attractive with the warm rosy-color, but a copper sink also has the outstanding antibacterial ability. The copper metal can kill up to 99 percent of bacterias, making your sink the safest place in your kitchen for food processing.
One more thing: copper sink will not rust and can handle external impact from heavy object.
With the extreme durability, a copper sink hardly have a friendly-price. Typically, the cost of a copper sink ranges from $700 to $1500 depending on the gauge of the product.
Solid Surface
The solid surface contains mainly resin and a small number of other minerals, which is usually used in countertops.
Then if you already have a solid surface countertop, a solid surface sink is a perfect choice. This combination makes a seamless look for your kitchen and add the elegance to the whole house.
The high temp is not a problem for this material, but the sharp and heavy objects are the challenge. However, like the Acrylic, you can remove the scratches by sanding and polishing out.
A solid-surface sink possesses an elegant look like the enamel surface, but it’s more affordable as the solid surface is not sturdy like enameled-cast iron materials.
Stone – Granite/Composite/Marble/Quartz
The stone sink comes with various models; some are 100% marble, 100% composite or the mix between Granite, composite, and marble.
A stone sink is quite heavy, thereby requiring the reinforced cabinets to support.
As ‘it’s made from natural stone, the surface of each product has a unique design. You definitely cannot find two stone sink which has the same pattern.
This material can also withstand heavy object, high temperature, and even cleaning detergents. So if you are looking for a durable and eye-catching sink, then a stone sink is a suitable product.
As the materials come from nature, so it is quite pricey even for a standard solid granite or marble sink. These products usually cost at least $1000.
Conclusion
Now ‘it’s time for you to decide what kitchen sink material is best for your kitchen. You should concern on some necessary aspects before purchasing.
You need to know your favorite style, which is elegant, simple, or colorful. You also have to understand the structure of your kitchen, whether your cabinet can handle the heavy material sink or not.
And finally, ‘it’s your budget. If you cannot afford an expensive product, let’s seek reasonable options.