There are several styles of kitchen sinks – undermount sinks, overmount sinks, farmhouse sinks, rimming sinks, and more. Aside from these many types, kitchen sinks can also be made of different materials. Even those white farmhouse sinks that often look alike might be built using different materials.
Kitchen sinks can be made of stainless steel, porcelain, cast iron, copper, and even natural stone. All of these materials have their pros and cons, and choosing a material for your kitchen sink is important as it will be used daily. Some kitchen sink materials are more durable than others while there are materials that are prone to scratches.
If you are thinking of replacing your kitchen sink with a new one, we will be talking about what materials are kitchen sinks made of so you can have what the best kitchen sink materials are.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is probably the most popular material used for kitchen sinks. Not only it is low-maintenance but it is highly durable, too.
With a stainless steel kitchen sink, you don’t have to worry about chips or cracks. Stainless steel kitchen sinks are also stain and heat-resistant, versatile, and have a longer life expectancy than other materials.
Cleaning a stainless steel is very easy but you have to be careful not to use abrasive sponges on your sink. This is because stainless steel sinks are easily scratched and dented, especially if you use steel wool or wire brushes. Using non-abrasive sponges and soft cloth will prevent scratches from happening. Stainless steel kitchen sinks are also prone to water spots if not maintained properly.
Cast Iron
Some kitchen sinks are made of cast iron and this material is heavy-duty and very durable. This type of kitchen sink is common in farmhouse homes and is typically black or white.
Cast iron sinks are usually finished with enamel making them non-porous and resistant to stain. With kitchen sinks being used daily, having an enameled cast iron sink can last you for a very long time.
Enameled cast iron are also easy to clean but they can also scratch easily if you use abrasive cleaners such as steel wool to wipe your sink. Another downside to having cast iron sinks is that they are susceptible to rust, especially if the enamel is chipped off. So, regular maintenance and cleaning is needed to ensure the sink does not get damaged.
Being heavy-duty sinks, cast iron sinks are also heavy-weight making them difficult to install. A well-supported base is needed to ensure that a cast iron sink will not collapse.
Copper
Copper is also one of the materials used in kitchen sinks and copper kitchen sinks have become more popular in residential kitchens. Since copper has a living finish, there are several types of copper sink finishes to help with the sink’s aging. The finish will also protect the copper sink from stains, scratches, and the development of the patina.
Copper sinks are also durable, antibacterial, and resistant to corrosion. These types of kitchen sinks are easy to maintain. However, you do need to be consistent in maintaining a copper sink to prevent damage. Drying a copper sink after each use and clean up is also important to avoid damage to the sink. Copper sinks can also be prone to dents and scratches depending on the sink’s finish.
Solid Surface
Solid surface kitchen sinks are typically made with acrylic resin or mineral compound with polyester. Solid surface sinks can be integrated into solid surface countertops for a more seamless look.
Solid surface sinks can be manufactured in a variety of styles and colors. This could be great if you have a preferred kitchen aesthetic in mind.
While solid surface sinks are durable, there are other materials that are more scratch-proof when used long-term. Solid surface sinks are also more affordable but there are cheaper solid surface sinks that are made with low-quality materials that can compromise the quality of the sink. Solid surface sinks made with lower-quality materials can crack easily.
If you plan on getting a solid surface sink, make sure to check its quality. These kitchen sinks are non-porous so they are resistant to stain and bacteria.
Stone
There are kitchen sinks that are also made of natural stone, be it natural granite, marble, or soapstone. While not the most common kitchen sink material, there is a market for natural stone kitchen sinks. These sinks are mostly seen in modern and contemporary homes to incorporate nature inside and natural stone sinks definitely add beauty to a kitchen.
Natural stone kitchen sinks are durable, easy to maintain, and very versatile in terms of looks. These types of kitchen sinks are also easy to clean but you need to use a sealer often to avoid the stone sink from getting water damage. If properly sealed and polished, a natural stone sink will be easier to maintain and prevent breaking or chipping from happening. Natural stone sinks need to be maintained and re-sealed regularly to avoid severe damage, discoloration, and oxidation from happening.
Fireclay
Fireclay kitchen sinks are probably one of the most durable sinks you can use in your home. Fireclay is made of kiln-dried clay and glaze that are heated at a high temperature to produce ceramic products such as sinks and tiles.
Fireclay sinks are commonly seen in farmhouses and contemporary homes because of their aesthetics. Aside from looking beautiful, fireclay sinks are long-lasting and resistant to discoloration. Sinks made with this material are also not susceptible to rusting or fading because they do not contain any metals.
Since fireclay is heated at high temperatures, fireclay sinks are also resistant to heat. They don’t get damaged easily when coming in contact with hot or boiling water. Of course, boiling water can damage your water pipe so it is still best to avoid dumping boiling water in the sink whatever material they may be.
There are also downsides to fireclay sinks. They cost a lot more and you will have limited options in terms of design and colors. Fireclay sinks also need strong and stable base support since they are heavy sinks.
Porcelain
Porcelain sinks are versatile and can be used in kitchens and bathrooms. These sinks are also one of the more common sinks in homes as they are durable and can last for a long time. Porcelain sinks also offer a wide range of colors so you can choose one that can make your sink more noticeable. You can also just stick with the regular white porcelain sink.
These kinds of sinks are very easy to clean but they do have a high chance of chipping and staining so regular cleaning is a must. Porcelain is also heavy and it needs a good and solid support to prevent the sinks from collapsing.
Bottom Line
From porcelain to fireclay and natural stone, different materials can be used for kitchen sinks. Each material has benefits and disadvantages so knowing what materials kitchen sinks are made of is important if you are thinking of getting a new sink.
We have listed several materials used in kitchen sinks to help you what sink to get if you need a new one in the near future. If you have any other questions, let us know via the contact form on our website and we’ll get back to you!
