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Homeowners educate themselves and carefully choose every other aspect of a kitchen design so why skip the sink? Surveys with sink shoppers show that most don't understand the different materials from which each sink is made, the durability of all these materials, and what the various price points mean.
Stainless Steel
Cast Iron Sinks
Published on 10th April 2002
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Not too long ago, homeowners had two choices when it came to selecting a new kitchen sink - cast iron or stainless. There were few choices of colors or shapes, and certainly no options for any customized sink accessories. So today's myriad of sink choices come as a refreshing change to those who want to personalize their kitchen. The only problem now is that there are so many choices when it comes to picking out a kitchen sink - that it may be overwhelming.
Educating yourself and knowing all the options will help you determine which sink style, color and material is best - after all, it's often the centerpiece of the kitchen. So how can you become a smart "sink" shopper and make sense out of all those sink styles that await you at your local retail outlet or plumbing showroom? The following will help you get over that 'sinking' feeling:
Stainless steel is still the most popular kitchen sink style. For those on a tight budget, stainless steel provides the lowest price point. There are two main things to look for in choosing a stainless steel sink: 1) the thickness or gauge of the steel; and 2) the sound deadening ability (which determines how loud the noise is when something is dropped into the sink, such as a piece of silverware). In gauges, it is important to remember that the lower the number, the thicker the steel and hence the higher quality sink. And, for increased sound deadening, look for spray coatings and special sound pads underneath the bowl. These items also provide condensation control on the sink. Of course, dent resistance and general durability of a particular sink will be directly related to the gauge of steel used, but in general, stainless steel sinks can be prone to scratching and water spotting.
To combat potential negative aspects of stainless steel, choose a model with a satin texture finish. Although the 'mirror finish' may look nice in the showroom, these sinks have a hard time holding up to the normal wear and tear of a kitchen environment. A satin finish sink provides additional protection from scratching. Stainless steel sinks are very popular in today's modern kitchens because they provide a perfect match to commercial-styled appliances. And, many of the latest models are available in innovative shapes that allow homeowners to customize a sink configuration. Sinks, for example, are available in oval, round and trapezoid bowl choices. Overall, stainless steel sinks offer many benefits including resistance to chipping, cracking or peeling. One word of caution though: If you want to
under-mount a stainless steel sink, the countertop must be a solid material and not a laminate (due to water exposure, laminates can eventually separate and bubble).
If you have an older kitchen that hasn't been through a remodel, there is a good chance that you have a cast iron sink. These sinks feature an iron base coated with an enamel finish. Although the latest cast iron sinks come in an array of colors, the main disadvantage is that they can chip or scratch, exposing the black surface underneath. When this surface is exposed, it can often lead to rusting. In addition, due to cast iron's high degree of thermal conductivity, hot water does not hold its temperatures for very long.
When it comes to installation, cast iron is one of the most difficult because these sinks are heavy and bulky in nature. Also, cast iron offers a very limited amount of
under-mount installation options. Some still prefer cast iron because of the authenticity it lends to older homes, its glossy finish, and its stain resistance.
