What are Kitchen sinks made of? 

Whether you’re tackling a full kitchen model or performing some small kitchen upgrades, finding the perfect kitchen sink for your home is critical. After all, sinks are some of the most used spaces in any kitchen. Also, they’re a critical point of the overall kitchen design, serving as a place to rinse vegetables and wash dishes. Therefore, it’s important to find a kitchen sink material that is beautiful, stylish, and matches your family’s needs for maintenance and durability. 

With so many kitchen sink materials though, finding the right option for your home isn’t an easy task.  Before you embark on the journey to look for the best kitchen sink for your home, you must ask yourself; What are kitchen sinks made of? 

Well, this guide will take you through some of the best kitchen sink materials available to help you find the right one for your budget and needs! 

 11 Best Kitchen Sink Materials 

• Stainless Steel 

Stainless steel is by far the most popular kitchen sink material. This material has excellent water resistance and scratch resistance. On the same note, it exhibits superior durability, anti-microbial properties, and rust resistance. Better yet, it comes in various styles, types, and sizes, making it an excellent option for just about any kitchen.

Another interesting thing about stainless steel is that it’s heat-resistant, easy to clean, and looks great alongside chrome or stainless steel kitchen appliances. Interestingly, you can now find stainless steel sinks in other metallic hues like gold, pewter, bronze, and even black. These colored finishes are applied through a process known as Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), resulting in a durable and corrosion-resistant finish. 

On the downside, stainless steel can be a bit noisy when you drop utensils, pots, pans, or dishes into the sink. For that, it’s important to look for a sink that has sound-absorbing pads on the bottom and exterior sides when buying a stainless steel sink. Also, you may want to choose a sink that provides enough coating on the underside to absorb the ‘dong’ sound produced by some stainless sinks. 

In addition, make sure you consider the gauge (thickness) of the material when choosing a stainless steel kitchen sink. Generally, the smaller the gauge, the thicker the stainless steel material. For instance, 18-gauge is thicker than 22-gauge and will therefore cost more since it’s more durable and higher quality. I recommend you choose 16 – 18 gauge steel as they’re strong, tough, and unlikely to bend or buckle under heavy use. 

• Fireclay 

As the name suggests, fireclay is clay shaped at extremely high temperatures to create a hard, durable sink material. In addition, this material is highly resistant to chipping, staining, and scratches. On top of that, it’s relatively easy to clean as you only need a sponge and dish soap or a mild abrasive cleaner for tougher marks. 

Another benefit of fireclay kitchen sinks is that they can withstand years of regular use without needing to be replaced. However, this kitchen sink material has a relatively limited color selection and needs reinforced cabinets/countertops to support its weight. Moreover, fireclay sinks typically need professional installation and are more costly than other common sink materials. 

So, if you’re looking for an affordable kitchen sink, fireclay may not be the right material for you. Also, this material can crack if you drop sharp or heavy objects into the sink. Yet you cannot repair it as it doesn’t have a steel/ iron core to keep its pieces together. Other than that, this material is eco-friendly, lead-free, and a great option for those who want a white kitchen sink. 

• Granite Composite 

Granite composite kitchen sink material is a mixture of acrylic result and natural granite. This combination forms a heat-resistant material that looks like natural stone. Moreover, this material is resistant to chips, scratches, stains, and chips, while exhibiting a high level of durability. All these factors make composite granite one of the best kitchen sink materials for busy kitchens. 

In addition, this material dampens the sound of items dropped into the sink. However, delicate dishes and glassware are susceptible to breaking when you drop them into composite granite sinks. To avoid that make sure you place such items into the sink gently, instead of dropping or tossing them. Also, you should ensure that the kitchen countertop or cabinet you intend to install these sinks on is properly reinforced to prevent them from buckling under the weight. 

• Cast Iron 

Cast Iron is one of the heaviest and most durable kitchen sink materials available. In addition, cast iron sinks feature a tough enamel finish coating that is stain-resistant and porous to protect the sink from rust, corrosion, and water damage. Even better, the enamel coating is easy to clean and available in a wide range of color and finish options, allowing you to choose a sink that matches any decor. 

However, this enamel coating requires more frequent coating compared to stainless steel. Plus, it’s more susceptible to scratching and chipping from heavy pans and sharp objects, exposing the iron underneath to rust. More importantly, it’s important to ensure that your kitchen cabinet and countertop are structurally stable to provide adequate support to cast iron sinks due to their heavy nature. 

• Quartz composite 

Quartz composite kitchen sinks are made from a mixture of acrylic resin and natural stone to create a man-made material that looks and feels like natural stone. However, unlike natural stone, quartz composite doesn’t absorb water and stains since it is uniform and non-porous all the way through. Also, this increases its resistance to scratches and chips, extending its durability even further. At the same time, this material is extremely heat resistant, available in various styles, absorbs sound, and is way more affordable than natural stone. 

The only issue with this material is that it can break delicate glass glasses and dishes if they’re dropped into the sink. Other than that, it’s relatively easy to clean as you only need water and mild soap. 

• Copper 

Although copper is not as popular as other kitchen sink materials, it’s an excellent option, especially if you want to keep your home clean. Thanks to its antimicrobial and rust-resistant properties, making it an excellent choice for any kitchen. In addition, copper provides an attractive focal point that will help you stand out from other elements in the kitchen. 

On the downside, copper is vulnerable to dents, scratches, and dings from sharp or heavy objects. For that, it may not be the best kitchen sink material for a family home with small kids. Also, copper sinks are costly and highly susceptible to harsh chemicals. 

• Porcelain 

Porcelain is a traditional material that has been used for years to make sinks, toilets, dishware, and other items. Typically, porcelain is made by firing a silicate mineral known as kaolin and potter stone at extremely high temperatures. This results in a highly dense ceramic material with a smooth, non-porous finish. 

On top of that, porcelain is easy to maintain and clean, and highly resistant to stains, scratches, and heat. Moreover, you can find this material in various color options but white is the most popular option due to its timeless appeal. 

One thing you need to note though is that porcelain is susceptible to chipping and cracking when you drop heavy/ hard objects into the sink. For that, it’s recommended that you use a protective grid/ silicone pad in the sink to prevent damage. Also, you should ensure that your cabinets have some reinforcements to withstand the weight of porcelain sinks as they’re heavier than most kitchen sink materials. 

• Brass 

Brass is simply an alloy of zinc and copper, giving it a very attractive appearance. In addition, this kitchen sink material has natural antimicrobial properties and develops a unique natural patina. 

As you would expect though, brass kitchen sinks come at a high price point just like their copper counterparts. Moreover, it is vulnerable to dings, dents, scratches, and harsh chemicals. Therefore, it’s not the best kitchen sink material if you intend to use the sink a lot. Also, it requires more care and maintenance than other materials. For instance, you can only clean it with water and mild soap to avoid wearing away the finish. However, if you want a kitchen sink that will increase your home’s value and serve as a statement piece in your kitchen for years, brass is a worthy contender! 

• Natural Stone 

If you have natural stone countertops in your kitchen, you can install an integrated natural stone sink to match. However, a natural stone kitchen sink is one of the costliest options, especially if you choose a material like granite or marble. Also, natural stone is porous, which means they can absorb liquids or become stained/ discolored. More notably, these sinks are very heavy, meaning you need cabinet reinforcements before installing them. 

Other than that, natural stone sinks made from materials like marble, granite, petrified wood, or lava will add incredible value to your home. Better still, these sinks will last for years to come and withstand various elements like heat, chips, dents, and scratches. And if you seal them properly, they will not absorb liquids or get discolored/ stained. 

• Acrylic 

Acrylic sinks, showers, and tubs are made using a great technique that involves pulling a solid acrylic sheet into a mold and morphing it into the desired shape. This easy moldability makes acrylic a great material for making a wide range of versatile kitchen sink styles. Also, this material is affordable, strong, easy to keep clean, sound absorbent, and resistant to grime, mold, dirt & mildew. 

However, acrylic sinks are susceptible to dings and scratches from sharp objects being tossed or dropped into the sink. On the bright side, you can easily repair some minor scratches with gentle cleaners or a car buffing compound. 

Another notable drawback of acrylic kitchen sinks is that they can be damaged by extremely hot pans and pots. Therefore, it’s important to allow hot items to cool off properly before you put them in your acrylic sink. 

• Solid surface 

Solid surface is a synthetic product that is made from polyester/ acrylic resin and pigments. This makes it easy to integrate into the countertop, creating a smooth, streamlined surface that is extremely easy to clean. Better yet, this helps to prevent bacteria from growing in the seams between the sink and the surface. Also, solid surface sinks can have almost any color or shape and even mimic the appearance of stone. 

The only drawback of solid surface sinks is that they can be scratched or melted by hot pans and pots. Other than that, they’re durable and resistant to stains, dents, and color fading. In addition, their smooth, non-porous finish prevents liquids and food debris from causing stains and sticking to the surface of the sink. Best of all, you can easily repair the scratches on the sink surface with polishing and sanding. 

Conclusion 

There are various factors you need to consider when choosing the right kitchen sink for your home. Some of these factors include; durability, cost, maintenance, aesthetic design, resistance to various elements, and personal preference. All in all, there is a kitchen sink material for you out there, regardless of your style, budget, or specific needs.