A kitchen sink material is one of the essential considerations when buying a kitchen sink. Why should you look for the best kitchen sink material? The material making the kitchen sink can determine the longevity of the services that you are bound to receive from this important kitchen appliance.
In the early days, people were accustomed to the use of either stainless steel or cast iron. There were hardly other materials known to the people and the manufacturers. Nowadays, there are plenty of options and you only need to understand the various properties of these many sink materials. In the end, you should be able to determine the best kitchen sink material to help simplify your decision making.
Which choice makes the best kitchen sink material? This is what we will be discussing in this paper and you will find materials ranging from stainless steel to granite composite. We will explore both the pros and cons of the different kitchen sink materials.
Contents
Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
If you want to install your kitchen sink on either granite or stone countertop, stainless steel kitchen sink might be the right choice. These sinks are affordable, easy to maintain and clean. The only issue you might face is showing water spots and noise emission when you are using them. However, modern stainless steel kitchen sinks have sound deadening technology, which absorbs the noise.
These sinks come with different styles such as drop-in sinks and under-mount kitchen sinks. You can even install them on wood countertops depending on your liking. These sinks are elegant, sleek, and more modern. They come with different levels of thickness with the best range starting from 16 to 18-gauge.
To improve their performance, they are designed of different series numbers. Some stainless steel materials are magnetic while others aren’t. Most people favor the use of 300 series stainless steel since it is non-magnetic, and contains both nickel and chromium that enable prevention of damage from extreme temperatures and corrosion.
You can read the best reviews on various stainless steel kitchen sink models.
Fireclay Kitchen Sinks
Do you want a kitchen sink that will serve you for a long period? Fireclay kitchen sinks are easy to clean and maintain. These sinks are spacious and most suited for light uses. You might require a professional to install them since most of them are farm-style.
How are fireclay kitchen sinks manufactured? At a very high temperature, glazed white clay is heated. These sinks require strong cabinetry to install them and that is why they require professional installation. Fireclay kitchen sinks are resistant to both scratching and staining.
Most of these models might be expensive but they are highly functional. If you opt for a single-bowl farmhouse fireclay sink, you are bound to enjoy a high level of performance. However, you can still choose from the various shapes and sizes depending on your preference.
You can read the best fireclay kitchen sinks reviews.
Copper Kitchen Sinks
If you want an elegant appearance in your kitchen, copper can be the best choice for you. The material has antimicrobial properties and its surface is sleek due to the presence of a beautiful finish. They come in various styles such as farm-style, drop-in, or the standard under-mount sinks.
Due to the material’s antimicrobial properties, it can kill 99.9% of bacteria. The copper molecules are naturally designed in a way that can halt the microbial growth. Given that the kitchen can be a breeding place for germs, copper is one of the best kitchen sink materials.
However, you need to be cautious when buying a copper kitchen sink to avoid buying those models made of thinner gauge metal. The thinner gauge metals will easily get damaged. You need to buy the sink made of thicker copper materials whose gauge range from 14 to 18.
You can read the best copper kitchen sink reviews.
Composite Kitchen Sinks
The composite material involves a blend of acrylic resin and quartz dust. Composite sinks come in a wide array of styles, colors, and shapes. Unlike some close comparable materials, they have a uniform color throughout the surface.
These sinks are long-lasting and require no additional sealing. However, you need to be mindful of exposing these sinks to extreme heat since this might cause cracking. They are more affordable and can fit well in both modern and traditional kitchens.
You can read the review of the best composite kitchen sinks.
Granite Composite Kitchen Sinks
A composite material can both involve a mixture of quartz dust and acrylic resin or granite and resin filler. In this case, we are talking about the blend of granite and resin filler. The ratio of the blend stands at 20% resin filler and 80% granite. Given the high proportion of granite in the mixture, the qualities and properties of this material are majorly those of granite.
However, a mixture of granite and resin filler prolongs the durability of the sink and makes it easy to clean and maintain it. The sink is highly resistant to both scratching and stains. Granite composite is one of the best kitchen sink materials since it is the most long-lasting and durable compared to most other materials.
You can read the review of the best granite composite kitchen sinks.
Porcelain Kitchen Sinks
Is porcelain a good kitchen sink material? These kitchen sink materials are durable and can maintain their glossy finish for a long time. They come in a wide array of colors but are mostly designed as farm-style sinks.
To avoid scratching, staining, and etching, porcelain kitchen sinks will require a high degree of care. You need to avoid the use of abrasive cleaners and strong acids. Strong acids and abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface.
You can read the review of the best porcelain kitchen sinks.
Conclusion
In summary, high-performance kitchen sinks are manufactured from the best kitchen sink materials. Today, manufacturers are using diverse kitchen sink materials such as marble, soapstone, solid surface, ceramic, granite, granite composite, quartz, acrylic, stainless steel, copper and many more others. Your role is to understand the nature of the material used by the manufacturer to make a certain sink. You need to buy a kitchen sink that is made from a material that is more durable, easy to clean, stain-resistant, chip-resistant, scratch-resistant, and an easy to maintain material.