Choosing the perfect kitchen sink
, by Zure Australia, 4 min reading time
Thinking of renovating or possibly just replacing a kitchen sink?
It may seem like an easy task, but once you start having a look you realise that there are so many different styles and variations! So today we are going to go over these different kitchen sinks so you can find out which is the best fit for your kitchen.
The two main factors to consider when looking for a new kitchen sink are the materials and style.
So what material and style should you choose?
Stainless Steel
The most commonly used material in kitchens sinks is undoubtedly stainless steel. They are the most affordable of all the available materials and can be used in a variety of different applications whether it be undermount, overmount, single, double, or even a combination of them!
Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks are very lightweight and very forgiving to any small accidents such as dropping your dishware. Not only that, but Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks are also resistant to both heat and stains and easy to clean.
The main drawback of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks is that they tend to scratch easily due to their polished finish. Picking a more brushed stainless steel finish however largely alleviates this issue as they are able to easily hide the scratches that may appear with daily usage.
Cast Iron
Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks are known for their durability which is created with a layer of porcelain enamel over iron. This gives it a nice glossy and durable finish. Available in a variety of different finishes, and due to its long lasting lifespan, many people purchase vintage Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks as they give off a more authentic vintage appeal.
As it is made out of iron, Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks are not very forgiving to any slip ups when dropping fragile dishware. Additionally, dropping heavier objects may lead to chipping in the enamel coating which may cause rust to develop.
Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks are quite easy to maintain otherwise. Cleaning is quite straightforward as they won't show most spots. Certain stains may occur though and there will be some difficulty in removing them. The colour is also very resistant to sunlight and won't become faded.
An important note to consider is the weight of a Cast Iron Kitchen Sink. They are quite heavy so sturdy carpentry or cabinets will be a must. Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks may have a slightly more difficult and more expensive installation in comparison to other kitchen sinks due to their weight as well.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Fireclay
A more modern alternative to Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks, is the Fireclay Kitchen Sink. They are manufactured by using a blend of clay and glaze to create this heavy duty and durable sink that can even surpass Cast Iron Sinks. Similarly to Cast Iron Sinks, Fireclay Kitchen Sinks are also unforgiving to your dishware if you happen to drop them and is also prone to chipping itself if heavier items are dropped roughly constantly.
One of the benefits of a Fireclay Kitchen Sink is their size. They can easily fit larger pots, pans, and even oven trays allowing these larger items to be washed with ease.
Also similarly to Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks, Fireclay Kitchen Sinks are on the more expensive side but they won't rust or lose colour and will remain nice and vibrant!
Fireclay Kitchen sink are typically available in Farmhouse or Butler styles which replace part of the cabinetry to provide a front facing decorative section.
Composite
Composite Kitchen Sinks are formed with a combination of highly durable materials which creates this sturdy but heavy composite sink. While it's durability allows it to resist certain amounts of heat, stains, and scratches it does not necessarily mean that they are impervious of them. Excess heat from a hot pan or knives being dragged across with inevitably cause warping and scratch marks.
They are available in a larger variety of colours as simply adding a coloured dye to the plastic resin component of Composite Kitchen Sinks allows manufacturers to create a variety of different finishes.
It's thickness also makes it less forgiving when you happen to drop one of your dishes while you're washing up. Most likely this will result in instant shattered dinnerware.
When cleaning composite kitchen sinks it is important to ensure that you use PH neutral cleaners or specific cleaners for Composite Kitchen Sinks. Avoid products that are extremely acidic or have high amounts of alkaline as these can potentially strip the finish off your Composite Kitchen Sink.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
The last step is to decide which combination would suit your lifestyle the most! Shop online to see our full range of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks and Fireclay Kitchen Sinks!
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