Kitchen sinks stainless steel, granite, ceramic, plastic, cheap

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Kitchen Sink types

There are a number of different materials used for sinks with different qualities, advantages and drawbacks:

Stainless steel sinks are the most common type used in both domestic and commercial kitchens and represent a good balance between cost, usability and durability. They are resistant to heat, cold and impacts but can be dented and scratched, and tend to be noisy – though sound damping materials can be stuck to the underside. Back to the suppliers page.

Enameled cast iron is more popular for baths however they are made for kitchen sinks. They are very heavy but also very hard-wearing. They are also very resistant to heat and cold but can be chipped and if the surface is removed the iron will corrode quickly. Abrasive cleaning dulls the surface and makes tiny indentations which accumulates more dirt. Enamel on steel is another option which is cheaper but less rugged. Back to the suppliers page.

Solid ceramic sinks are similar to the enameled cast iron so can be chipped and scratched, but won’t corrode. Back to the suppliers page.

There are several different types of plastic sink:
The cheapest are prone to damage from heat and are easily scratched and possibly completely pierced by sharp objects. Acrylics are tougher but can still be scratched easily by metal objects, however they can also be repaired if the damage is not too great. Some sinks may be moulded from the same material as the worktop and so blend in perfectly and there are no joins through which water can leak, but they still suffer from potential scratching. Having used a more expensive type of plastic kitchen sink, I have found that they can be nicer to work at than stainless steel and if you get the right material, be hard wearing enough for every day use and still look nice when cleaned. Back to the suppliers page.

In the past soapstone was a common material for sinks however now are used for limited applications where their resistance to any damage (including acid and caustic materials) is important.

At the specialist domestic end of the scale sinks can even be made from granite or glass and produced in a wide range of custom designs. Back to the suppliers page.

Last updated April 25, 2008 11:06 AM