What is the Best Kitchen Sink Material?

by Paul

Best Kitchen Sink Material

Kitchen sinks have come a long way from the days when you had your choice between cast iron and stainless steel.

Now, there are around a dozen other materials to choose from, including granite composite, making the home remodeling process that much more complicated.

In order to pick the best kitchen sink material for your needs, you first must understand the features of each sink, as well as the pros and cons. Read on to find out more so that you can choose the best kitchen sink material for your home.

Best Kitchen Sink Materials Reviewed

1. Stainless Steel

Specification

Color

Satin, Brushed Steel

Material

Stainless Steel

Size

32"L x 19"W x 10" H

Style

Modern/Contemporary

This is the very first thing that most people think of when they hear the words “kitchen sink.” However, is stainless steel the best kitchen sink material? These sinks are classics and make up about 70% of those purchased in the United States.

When you’re looking at stainless steel sinks, you’ll notice a few things. They are designed to work well with a garbage disposal, as those appliances usually come with a stainless steel flange. You’ll also find that there are both shallow and deep stainless steel sinks to choose from, as well as the popular double sink.

The gauge of the steel matters as well, as the thicker the sink, the less likely it is to be noisy when the water’s running.

Pros

  • Extremely popular
  • Most are affordable – making it the best kitchen sink material for those on a budget
  • Will match your garbage disposal flange
  • Very heat resistant

Cons

  • Scratch more easily than other types
  • Noisy (even when made of thicker gauge steel)
  • Will show plenty of water spots

2. Cast Iron

Specification

Color

White

Material

Cast Iron

Size

33"L x 22.125"W x 8.75"H

Style

Farmhouse

Cast iron is a classic that remains on the list of the best kitchen sink material. It’s very heavy and sturdy. You won’t have to worry about denting the sink when you drop something heavy into it. Most cast iron sinks are coated an enamel finish, which prevents them from rusting. Despite the enamel consisting of fused-on molten glass, it actually is very strong and scratch-resistant.

Pros

  • Will last for years
  • Practically dent-proof
  • Come in a number of different styles and colors (although white is the norm)

Cons

  • Cast iron is extremely heavy
  • These sinks cost more than even a deep stainless steel sink
  • If the enamel chips, the cast iron will rust
  • Your sink will need to be supported underneath, taking up precious storage space

3. Fireclay

Specification

Color

White

Material

Fireclay

Size

33"L x 20"W x 10"H

Style

Contemporary

Fireclay sinks are actually a combination of ceramic clay and porcelain enamel. They are on the list of the best kitchen sink material for many homes, as they are fairly strong. These sinks also tend to come in the farmhouse style – not the double sink variety – as that is what homeowners prefer. On top of that, you’ll find many of these sinks in shades of white.

Pros

  • Fairly durable when treated properly
  • Have a very timeless look to them
  • Possess the strength of both porcelain and enamel

Cons

  • Only come in a few different styles and not many colors
  • Fairly expansive
  • Prone to cracking if not installed properly

4. Granite Composite

Specification

Color

Black Onyx

Material

Granite

Size

30.47"L x 17.09"W x 8.66"H

Style

Modern

Granite composite is quite possibly the best kitchen sink material. They are made of granite that has been crushed and mixed with resin before it’s molded into the shape of the sink. The manufacturing process for these sinks has some leeway, allowing for various colors of resin to be added in. This means that you’ll find granite composite sinks in many colors and styles, including the double sink.

Pros

  • Low maintenance and easy to clean
  • Contains the very best properties of both composite and granite
  • Many color and style options to choose from
  • Tiny chips are easy to repair

Cons

  • Have a textured finish that not everyone may like
  • Small chips and cracks can appear over time
  • Material is very porous, meaning stains can set in

5. Quartz

Specification

Color

White

Material

Quartz

Size

24.6"L x 18.5"W x 9.5"H

Style

-

It’s easy to overlook quartz when creating a list of the best kitchen sink material for a home. However, if you’re one of those people who want their countertops and their sink to match, then this is a great option.

When your countertops and kitchen sink are purchased from the same manufacturer and are installed properly, the results will look seamless. People won’t be able to tell where one begins and the other ends. Plus, your quartz sink is just as durable as your countertops.

You can even install a garbage disposal in it, and no one will notice, because they are blinded by the beauty of the sink and counter.

Pros

  • Easy to match to your countertops
  • Very durable
  • Provide a sophisticated look
  • Natural patterns camouflage scratches and small chips

Cons

  • Expensive to purchase and install
  • Rather heavy, but not as heavy as cast iron or ceramic
  • The double sink style is rare

6. Acrylic

Specification

Color

White

Material

Acrylic

Size

‎25"L x 22"W x 9"H

Style

-

Is acrylic the best kitchen sink material? Well, these sinks are made of polycarbonate plastic, which is lightweight and easy to mold. They also contain some fiberglass in order to make the plastic stronger and are coated in resin, which makes them very stain resistant.

These sinks come in a number of different styles, including the popular double sink, as they are molded into shape. You’ll find a number of colors available, too.

Pros

  • Minor scratches can be buffed out
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Rather inexpensive
  • If you wanted to, you could have one custom-molded for you at a reasonable price

Cons

  • Will not last as long as cast iron or porcelain sinks
  • The surface burns easily because it is plastic
  • Any vibrating joints between the plastic and metal (like those from a garbage disposal) can cause cracks to form in the sink

7. Soapstone

Specification

Color

Natural

Material

‎Fantasia Soapstone

Size

30"L x 18.5"W x 10"H

Style

Traditional

Soapstone might just be the best kitchen sink material if you can stomach the price tag. Yes, these sinks, which are made of the same material found in scientific laboratories, will last for a very long time and are actually bacteria-resistant, are possibly the most expensive option on this list. However, they have a striking look to them and will certainly make an impact in your kitchen.

Pros

  • Very stain resistant
  • They are bacteria resistant (which is why soapstone is popular in labs)
  • Made of a non-reactive material that isn’t affected by cleaning materials or the acids in foods
  • Develop an interesting patina over time

Cons

  • Prone to scratches, since soapstone is a softer material
  • No two sinks look alike, which is bad when you want to put two matching ones in a room
  • They are rather pricey

8. Copper

Specification

Color

Copper

Material

Copper

Size

33.13"L x 20.25"W x 9.38"H

Style

Farmhouse

Copper sinks are rather beautiful, placing copper on the list of the best kitchen sink material. They are made of copper that had been melted and then poured into a mold, often with detailing on the edges.

You’ll find that many of these copper sinks are actually shaped like farmhouse sinks, as the visible outer edge provides a place to show off the molded patterns. Although these sinks are expensive, they are very durable and extremely pretty.

Pros

  • Copper is naturally antimicrobial, meaning that it will keep kitchen germs at bay (one of the reasons why it’s the best kitchen sink material)
  • You should have no issues hooking up a garbage disposal
  • Over time the patina will develop, making the sink look even nicer
  • They are extremely durable

Cons

  • The sink must be specially treated to help the patina develop
  • You cannot use certain cleaning agents on them
  • They are very expensive

9. Ceramic (Porcelain)

Specification

Color

Satin Nickel - Ramus

Material

Porcelain, Brass, Ceramic

Size

18.75"L x 14.25"W x 5.25"H

Style

Sink + Faucet + Drain

Ceramic (porcelain, for the record) sinks are usually seen in bathrooms, where there’s less worry about something heavy accidentally falling into them. However, these sinks are now being made for the kitchen as well. The ones for this room are coated with a baked-on finish, making them more durable than their older counterparts. These sinks can really lighten up a kitchen and come in both single and double sink styles.

Pros

  • Very easy to keep clean
  • Come in a wide range of styles, including farmhouse and double sink varieties
  • Extremely classic design, placing it on the list of the best kitchen sink material
  • Keep hot water, well, hot, which is great for when you’re washing the dishes

Cons

  • Your garbage disposal flange may stain the porcelain
  • Porcelain is prone to chips, even with the newer coatings
  • Extremely heavy – your sink may need to have some supports placed underneath

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand a bit more about kitchen sinks and the materials that they are made of, you can go to your local home improvement store feeling like a professional.

You should be able to choose the best kitchen sink material for your needs (whether it’s a deep stainless steel sink or a composite granite double sink or something else entirely) quickly and easily. The sink styles that are detailed here are some of the most popular on the market.

You might see some others at your local home improvement store. What it all comes down to (after you’ve weighed the pros and cons) is whether or not the sink will look great in your kitchen.


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