In 2021 the global kitchen sink market reached a value of $3.2 billion.
Kitchen trends are always changing, and appliances wear out, so it’s common to renovate your kitchen from time to time. One of the most important elements of any kitchen is the sink. Yours will see a lot of use, so it’s important you choose the right one.
For a guide on the different kitchen sink materials available, keep reading.
What Material to Choose While Looking for Kitchen Sinks
There’s a range of materials for best kitchen sinks that you can choose from when doing a kitchen renovation. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, so you should compare the different ones available to find the best one for you.
1. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the most popular material for kitchen sinks in the world. This is true of both residential kitchens as well as commercial kitchens.
The price and quality of stainless steel sinks vary depending on the gauge of the steel. Higher grade steel is more durable and therefore costs more. With that in mind, stainless steel is still relatively cheap compared to other kitchen sink materials.
Stainless steel has several properties that make it ideal for a kitchen sink. It’s durable and resistant to corrosion, rust, heat, and stains.
Stainless steel is also incredibly easy to keep clean. This is ideal for a kitchen where hygiene is a priority, and it’s why commercial kitchens use a lot of stainless steel surfaces.
One downside of stainless steel sinks is that they can make a lot of noise. Using sound-absorbing pads can lower the noise, and spray-on coatings are also an option. Despite its durability, stainless steel can be prone to scratching, but these aren’t usually noticeable.
2. Enameled Cast Iron
Like steel, iron is very durable. Compared to stainless steel, however, it has one major disadvantage – it’s prone to rust when exposed to moisture.
Because of this, cast iron sinks are coated in porcelain enamel. This makes them rust-proof and gives a more appealing finish. Many people choose enameled cast iron sinks because of the surface finish.
The porcelain enamel used is available in a range of colors, so you can easily match your sink to the rest of your kitchen. This finish also makes them resistant to scratches and stains. They’re easy to keep clean, but you should avoid acidic cleaners as they can damage the enamel.
Cast iron can be quite heavy, so you need to make sure your counter can support the weight of one of these sinks.
3. Enameled Steel
Enameled steel has many of the same advantages as enameled cast iron. The coating makes it resistant to scratching, rusting, and staining. It also gives you plenty of color options when making your choice.
On top of that, it’s just as easy to keep it clean. One advantage these have over cast iron versions is the cost – steel is generally cheaper, so you can save a bit of money.
The downside here is that steel isn’t as durable as iron, so these could be damaged more easily. Chips and cracks can be more common as steel sinks are often thinner, and these might lead to rust or leaks.
This does mean, however, that a steel sink is lighter. The strength of your countertop will therefore be less of an issue.
4. Quartz Composite
Natural stone is a popular choice for its appearance, and quartz composite can give you that same look but at a much lower price. It’s a mix of acrylic resin and natural stone that gives a very hard, durable surface. One downside of this, however, is that dishes and glasses can break quite easily if dropped.
Some other benefits are that it’s heat resistant, stain-resistant, and it absorbs sound. With quartz composite, there’s a range of colors and styles you can choose from, so it’s easy to find something that looks good.
5. Granite Composite
Granite composite is similar to quartz composite – it’s a mix of granite and acrylic. While the above options are all strong, this is one of the strongest materials available for a kitchen sink.
It can resist all kinds of damage including scratches, chips, heat, and stains. It also absorbs sound like quartz composite. Again, you have various style and color options to choose from.
The main downside of granite composite sinks is that they’re very heavy like cast iron. To install one of these you might first need cabinet reinforcements.
How to Take Care of These Materials
Looking after kitchen sinks is crucial. When not properly maintained, they won’t last nearly as long, and replacing a sink is no small job. Different kinds of kitchen sinks need different forms of maintenance.
Stainless steel is easy to maintain – daily cloth cleaning with soap and water will keep it looking good. When doing a deep clean you can use a sprinkle of baking soda. Using lemon to wipe the sink down will help with any bad odors.
Enameled cast iron and steel can be looked after with water and gentle cleaners. Avoid using chemicals and abrasive cleaners as they can damage the enamel surface.
Quarts composite is very easy to look after – just use soap and water regularly. For granite composite, you can do the same for standard cleaning, but you may need a bit more for any tough stains. A sprinkle of baking soda with vinegar can help, then you’ll just need to wipe it down with a non-abrasive cloth and rinse it.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, your kitchen sink choice is all about personal preference. Think about what factors are most important to you – durability, appearance, ease of cleaning, etc. Whatever your choice, just make sure you take the time to look after it to keep your sink looking new for as long as possible.
For more home improvement articles check out some of our other blog posts.