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Sinks are the focal point of the kitchen, without a doubt. They’re a necessity that serves as a place to wash the dishes and everyday utensils, a place to prepare food, drain pasta, rinse fruit and vegetables, defrost meat and so much more. Taking all of this into account means that the chosen sink should be stylish, appealing, and heavy-duty.
Stylish and appealing because everyone can see it, and heavy-duty because it has to withstand daily use without showing signs of damage and ageing. There are several types of materials that are mainly used for the production of modern kitchen sinks with some of them being better than others. So, learning more about their nature and abilities will help you make a better choice.
Stainless Steel
It goes without saying that stainless steel is one of the most commonly used materials for the production of kitchen sinks. It’s versatile, low maintenance and highly affordable. Stainless steel makes for appealing modern kitchen sinks with unique colour and finish that can be the right fit for different kitchen styles which makes them one-of-a-kind. The material itself is water-resistant, durable and scratch-free, perfect for everyday use in the kitchen. Stainless steel is resistant to rust, corrosion and heat and it makes cleaning a piece of cake.
When in search of quality stainless steel sinks, make sure to choose ones that are made from high-quality and thick steel. This is important to prevent chips and bends in case a heavy object falls inside the sink. That being said, you should also pay attention to the stainless-steel gauge (thickness) of the modern kitchen sink of your choice. Keep in mind, the smaller the gauge, the thicker the steel. Generally speaking, the ideal thickness for sinks is from 16 – 18 gauge steel since they’re considered the strongest and toughest.
Fireclay Ceramic
Appealing and simple, sinks made from this material can go perfectly in modern and any other type of kitchen style. Just like stainless steel, fireclay ceramic sinks are also easy to clean and can look as good as the day you bought them, regardless of the years of use. However, they do come with one downside, their price.
Unlike stainless steel which is more cost-effective, fireclay ceramic sinks seem to be more expensive. Even though they’re available in white colour, it’s actually quite difficult to stain them. One of the greatest downsides of sinks made from ceramic is their weight. They’re extremely heavy and can chip easily which doesn’t makes them the ideal option for kitchens where you’re supposed to handle and wash different types of dishes.
Enamelled Cast Iron
Enamelled cast iron sinks are also a common choice in modern kitchens. This material choice is sleek, modern, and simply breathtaking. Even though such sinks are authentic for farmhouses and traditional-style kitchens, more and more people mix and match them in their modern kitchens as well. Cast iron sinks are considered to be some of the heaviest models on the market that also happen to be extremely durable. Having this in mind, prior to the installation, you should really check whether the kitchen cabinets can handle their weight or if they’ll need reinforcement to keep them in perfect shape.
These sinks are made with a non-porous enamel coating that is fused to the iron itself with high heat. Although black and white are among the most commonly used colours for these sinks, they can also come in many other colours and finishes which allows you to find the exact colour or hue. Even though this material is easy to clean, it requires more frequent cleaning than stainless steel. Also, it’s extremely easy to chip and scratch especially when dealing with heavier and sharper objects, exposing the iron underneath to rust.
Enamelled Steel
If you’re in love with the look of enamelled cast iron sinks but you don’t want to spend so much money, then you should certainly consider the idea of taking into account enamelled steel. As the name implies, these sinks are made from a steel frame that is covered in durable and non-porous enamel which makes them the perfect options for modern and many other kitchen styles.
These sinks are super easy to clean and maintain, and they’re resistant to scratches. Having a steel frame makes these sinks lighter than the enamelled cast iron which can also add to their affordability because you won’t have to spend money on reinforcing your cabinets. But, keep in mind these sinks are also easier to chip and crack which isn’t good for the eye.
Copper
Even though over the past few years you could actually see copper sinks in modern kitchens, still, they’re the most common choice in industrial and rustic settings. This unique looking type of material has antimicrobial properties and an attractive finish that also happens to be easy to clean. Unfortunately, aside from their higher price tag, sinks made from this material also happen to be less durable and are vulnerable to scratches and dents.
What Kitchen Sinks Are in Style Today?
While the aforementioned materials are among the most commonly used ones, there are some sink styles that are considered more popular these days. While under-mount, single and double basins were popular since we can remember, nowadays there are other popular styles you can choose from to find the perfect match for your kitchen.
