Top 5 Best Kitchen Sink Materials

Let's face it: there are plenty of kitchen sinks one can choose from. But the real struggle lies in choosing the perfect material that is tailored for your specific needs. And that is why your first factor to consider should be to find the sink that best suits your purpose, whether you're buying for the first time or replacing your kitchen sink.

The most notable factor in all kitchen sinks is durability in general, which will depend on the material. Kitchen sinks can often be overused, from dropping pots to hot pans and soups to foods that will leave a stain. You want your kitchen sink clean and beautiful, and additionally the beauty in a material that is durable enough to serve you for years.

Understanding the various types of materials will help in making the right decision for your kitchen. For your ease, we've done our research and come up with the best materials on the market. So, once you've made up your mind on the size and color, selecting the ideal material won't be much of a hustle. Let's check out what we have in store:

1. Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

The stainless-steel kitchen sink is by far the most popular material on the market; also 70% of kitchen sinks are made from this material. Even though there are plenty of reasons for this distinction, the most significant and crucial factor is affordability. Although some designer stainless-steel sinks may cost roughly $300, many come at a much lesser price which makes them one of the most affordable materials.

Additionally, it comes with benefits that fight scratch and rust accumulation. If you're wondering about the aesthetics, it is so convenient that it can blend in with all types of cabinets. Nonetheless, this material requires regular maintenance if you want it to stay durable. If not cleaned and scrubbed regularly, its self-beneficial features will begin to degrade slowly which will expose it to rusts and scratches.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Resistant to heat
• Highly durable
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Easy installation and the thinner gauge models are lightweight
• Come in different sizes and designs
• Highly sanitary material

Cons:

• Can get scratched easily
• The thick gauge models can be quite heavy
• Thinner gauge models can dent easily

2. Granite Composite Kitchen Sinks

This material is loved and also considered by many professionals to be among the best kitchen sink materials mainly because of its aesthetics; it looks very attractive from the outside and will elevate your kitchen's beauty to a whole new level. Starting with its texture, color, finishing, etc., will surely attract everyone with a single glance.

In addition to aesthetics, it also comes with a variety of colors; for instance, grey, charcoal, black and brown to decorate your kitchen. You'll also find this material to be very durable. It is made from hard stones which are designed to resist heat and reduce stains. However, granite composite kitchen sinks are a lot difficult to clean and maintain because you're required to use the right products for cleaning and follow a few instructions. Plus, this material is a lot heavier than many, you need to ensure your countertop and cabinet are firm enough to hold in the weight with no problem.

Pros:

• Not as expensive when compared to straight granite or quartz sinks
• Very durable
• Non-porous
• Easy to clean the sink
• Very hygienic and sanitary
• Comes with a mix of luxury and affordable considering its features.

Cons:

• Can be slightly expensive
• Light colors can be exposed to stains
• Risk of getting cracks, and also not as durable if compared to other materials
• Very heavy and hard to install.

3. Copper Kitchen Sinks

In all the kitchen sink materials, copper is without a doubt the most unique. Not only are they very functional, but they also offer beauty and luxury to their surroundings unmatched by many materials. Moreover, copper sinks are cheaper compared to many of the materials like cast iron or granite sinks. An average copper sink goes for typically $150.

What's more, copper is lighter when set side by side with other luxury materials, which means installation is simpler and doesn't require additional reinforcement to hold up the weight. Even so, copper is very sensitive, and the deep rosy-pink color will gradually change with time. Some find this dynamic nature to be somewhat charming, while others see it as a turn-off. On top of this, copper is a light material, meaning it can be easily damaged.

Despite that, this material has been gaining popularity at a fast rate because of the mix of luxury, affordability, and durability they come with.

Pros:

• Highly attractive
• Very durable
• Lighter in terms of weight when compared to luxury materials
• Amazingly affordable
• Color is dynamic, with the hue and tone changing with time

Cons:

• Copper can be exposed to stains if not cleaned and maintained properly
• Not every person will love the change in color as overtime
• susceptible to dents and scratches but it depends on how it's finished

4. Fireclay Kitchen Sink Material

Next, we have fireclay sinks, a lovely option with a mix of traditional materials and modern design. In the production of fireclay sinks, manufacturers shape ceramic clay to look like the shape of a sink and give it time to dry out under high heat for around an hour or less. After the drying is completed, the sink is then covered with an enamel coating, where it is put through high temperatures once again, but for only 20 hours this type round. After the process is complete, the final result is a very durable kitchen sink that closely mimics its cast-iron twin.

Although fireclay kitchen sinks have their definite qualities, they also have their downsides. For instance, even though fire kitchen materials are highly durable, they can crack or break when dropped. In addition, they are significantly more expensive than many options. On average, a fireclay kitchen can cost up to $500.

Pros:

• Visually attractive
• Comes in different designs
• They are immune to rust, hence a better option for beach houses
• Ideal option for farmhouse style sinks
• Easy to clean
• Highly hygienic

Cons:

• Should be handled carefully when installing as it can shatter easily when dropped
• Significantly costly when compared to other options
• One of the heavily built kitchen sinks on the market

5. Cast Iron Kitchen Sink

Lastly, we have another luxury kitchen sink material in cast iron. Cast iron is heavier, larger, and more elegant than some of the other options. Cast iron sinks are made for heavy-duty usage and are durable in that they rarely indicate signs of cracking, chipping, or burning; they are also stain-resistant. What's more, it comes with a variety of colors you can pick from that will fit in your kitchen.

Still, this type of sink doesn't handle scratch and rust build up very well. Maintaining cast iron sinks is a lot easier than stainless steel and other sinks because you don't have to take care of them regularly. The coated enamel gives it a clean appearance and not just for appearance purposes; it also allows it to stay clean all the time, whether it is exposed to dirt or grime, it remains clean. Because of the enamel coating, your sink will always look as fresh as a daisy every day. Just to be precautious, you should use a mild cleaner, wet cloth, and plain water for cleaning the sink. Steer clear of rough cleaners packed with chemicals because it will damage the coated enamel and ruin the sink's beauty.

It may seem the only downside to cast iron sinks is the price and weight. First off, they are a lot heavier than stainless steel, they weigh around four times as much as a thicker gauge stainless steel sink, and they can be difficult to install, especially if want it installed as an undermount sink. All things considered, cast iron is still an amazing material if you don't mind the price and you're looking for something stylish and elegant.

Pros:

• Very durable
• Easy to clean and maintain because of the enamel finish
• They come in a wide range of colors to match any kitchen
• Resistant to stains
• Very sanitary
• Easy to find the undermount models
• Makes up a great farmhouse sink

Cons:

• Significantly more expensive than other materials
• Installing it on your own will be overwhelming; tough to install
• Light countertops may need reinforcement to hold up the sink
• The enamel coating is vulnerable to chipping

Verdict

With our guide, choosing the perfect sink should be easier. Once you've decided on what purpose you want the sink to serve, you can move to the next step; choosing from the available options. Considering your family's washing habits will help you make the right decision when choosing the material. Just remember these points, and you're good to go:

• Like many products, kitchen sinks also come in different brands
• Consider your family needs before concluding
• For heavy washing, stainless steel and granite are the ideal materials

Whether you want the best for hard water or not, these steps will help in the long run. For more articles or questions on sink materials or anything of relevance, contact us.