An Overview of Your Kitchen Sink Options

There are a lot of different types of materials that are used to manufacture kitchen sinks. When you’re remodeling your kitchen and looking into your various options for your kitchen sinks in Midland, MI, it’s important to consider some of these common materials and their pros and cons.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common materials used for kitchen sinks today.

Cast iron

Cast iron has been used in kitchen settings for many years, and remains popular in the modern market. It will often come with a glossy enamel finish that can last for decades at a time. You don’t want to just use bare iron, obviously, because that is highly prone to rusting. The enamel on the sink protects it from rust damage. The good news is that the finish is extremely tough, is highly resistant to staining and scratching and is easy to keep clean.

There are, of course, some drawbacks associated with cast iron sinks. They’re very heavy, for one thing—at least 100 pounds in most cases, which is more than two or three times what you could expect out of, say, a stainless steel sink. This can result in some difficulties with installation, particularly if you’re using an undermount sink. The enamel can also chip, which would subject the bare iron to potential rusting.

Composite

Composite sinks from companies like Blanco and Elkay are made up of various elements, in most cases a combination of crushed granite or quartz and a resin filler. Typically, it’ll be about 70 percent rock and 30 percent resin. This results in a sink that has many of the same visual qualities associated with granite or quartz countertops or other materials, but with fewer maintenance requirements and durability issues.

Granite composite is perhaps the most durable type of sink you’ll find on the market, as it is high density, resistant to heat and chipping or scratching, and has few cleaning and maintenance requirements. Quartz composite is generally durable as well, but is a step below granite composite.

Concrete

Concrete sinks are also heavy, and can be custom made for a more stylish aesthetic. Because of their ability to be customized, you can incorporate any kind of design features you’d like, though you can also purchase pre-cast concrete sinks as stock options. The main drawback is that you will need to routinely seal your concrete sink to avoid staining and to make sure it’s able to keep repelling moisture. You’ll also need to work in some additional support at the base, and if it’s custom-made, you can expect the sink to be much more expensive than other options.

Stainless steel

Far and away the most common type of sink used in both residential and commercial settings, stainless steel is the much more economical option and is available in a variety of installation types. It can be louder than other types of materials, but certain spray coatings can reduce the noise. They are heat- and stain-resistant, though they do show water spots more easily and can be hard to keep shiny and clean.

For more information about your options for kitchen sinks in Midland, MI, contact Nowak Cabinets of Midland today.

Categorised in: Kitchens

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