Is your kitchen the center of your home? For many homeowners, the kitchen is the most important room in the house, and it’s certainly the one where they spend the most time doing day-to-day tasks. Your kitchen sink is important both during meal preparation and cleaning up afterwards. A good quality kitchen sink can last for longer than ten years, but it will start to show signs of wear in that time. After a while, a kitchen sink starts to look dull and show some chips and scratches.
If you’re shopping for a kitchen sink, be aware that they are available in a variety of different styles and materials. Most of us are familiar with stainless steel sinks, but you can also find them made from cast iron or porcelain, as well as several other materials. For the most part, a sink is not the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation. However, you can find high-end skinks that cost well over a thousand dollars. But you can also find sinks that offer all the advantages of high-end sinks for about 200 dollars.
Usually it comes down to personal preference. You may like the look of a particular sink or the functionality of a specific material. Here is a breakdown of the different materials on the market for kitchen sinks.
Stainless steel: Sinks made of stainless steel are very popular with consumers. These sinks resist stains and heat, and you can get them in all styles, types and sizes. Modern stainless steel sinks are available with sound-absorption pads underneath them to make them quieter while they are in use. A stainless steel sink will cost you between 100 and 800 dollars.
Composite granite: This material looks great and is durable as well. Scratches and water marks don’t show on its surface as they often do on stainless steel. Composite granite is available in a variety of neutral tones like black, brown or dark grey. The surface hides dirt well, so you don’t need to clean it all the time. These sinks are very durable, but it’s important not to mishandle them while transporting or installing them. It may cost you between 300 and 600 dollars to install one in your kitchen.
Fireclay: You may not be familiar with this material. It is made of clay that has been fired at a very high temperature. Fireclay is super-durable and resists scratches, stains and chips. It’s easy to clean a fireclay sink just with dish soap and a sponge, or a gentle abrasive. This material is your best option if you’re looking for a white sink. You’ll probably pay between 400 and 1000 dollars.
Cast iron: A cast iron sink is very durable, but also very heavy. Don’t buy one until you’re sure that your cabinetry is strong enough to support its weight.
Natural stone: If you already have natural stone countertops, a natural stone sink will look good in your kitchen. The biggest disadvantage to this material is that it can stain more easily than some others. Get to know the different kinds of stone, because some are more prone to staining than others. Expect to pay at least 1000 dollars.
Quartz: Again, if you have quartz countertops, a matching quartz sink can look really good. Lighter colors are better for sinks, as the darker ones show dings and scratches more readily. A quartz sink will cost between 800 and 1200 dollars.
Solid surface: This is a good choice if you are on a tight budget. Solid surface sinks are often integrated into the countertop, and the price will depend on how many square feet of countertop you need.
Copper: These sinks tend to look beautiful, but they also have some practical benefits. Copper has antimicrobial properties and it also resists rust. Buy a sink that’s made of 99 percent pure copper, and treat it gently. Don’t use harsh cleansers; stick to water and mild soap to clean it. A copper sink will cost between 500 and 1200 dollars.
Which material is the best? It really depends what you’re looking for. If you read consumer and expert reviews, you’ll soon see that the most popular materials are stainless steel and composite granite. Sinks made from these materials get the best reviews.