Porcelain is commonly used in sinks because of its low moisture absorbency and ease of cleaning, but is also used for trim on items such as faucet handles, inset buttons, bath hardware, and shower heads.
To tell the difference between a ceramic and a porcelain sink, try placing a magnet near it. Most porcelain sinks are metal with a porcelain finish. As a result, magnets usually stick to their surfaces. Ceramic sinks are usually entirely ceramic and not magnetic.
Some sinks are solid porcelain, but most have steel or cast iron core covered with a baked-on porcelain finish. Heavy or sharp objects dropped into a porcelain sink can chip or scratch its surface.
Stainless steel and Composite are the most commonly used materials for kitchen sinks. Composite sinks have the added advantage of coming in many different colors. Both materials are very durable and should last a long time, with proper care and maintenance.
Bathroom sinks primarily are made from vitreous china and enameled cast-iron. Sturdy, heavy and durable, sinks made from these time-tested materials are built to last. Other materials include enameled steel, tempered glass, stone, wood, acrylic and solid surface.
Bathroom Sink Materials
Bathroom sinks made from clay-based ceramic material such as vitreous china, fireclay and porcelain are common and easy to clean. Metal sinks, including brass, copper and stainless steel varieties, are durable choices.
Acrylic
This easily moldable plastic is one of the most affordable and versatile kitchen sinks you can find. It's easy to clean, strong, sound absorbent, and the nonporous surface is resistant to mildew and dirt buildup.
A drop-in sink is one of the most popular sink types. Also called a top mount sink, it literally drops into a pre-cut hole in the countertop. The edge of the sink rests on the counter for stability.
Undermount Sinks: They're mounted below the countertop. An undermount bathroom sink exposes the edge of the countertop surface around the sink. With no rim to contend with, undermount models are the easiest to clean.
Porcelain sinks are both beautiful and easy to clean. On the down side, it's a brittle material and easily cracked.
If you opt for a classic white porcelain farmhouse sink, it's very likely to get stained, and it will require regular cleaning to keep it sparkling. Scrubbing the sink with baking soda will help remove sauce stains, yet this mild abrasive won't scratch the surface.
Believe it or not, it's actually pretty hard to scratch porcelain (or fireclay) sinks. It's more likely that you'll get grey/black marks on the bottom from pans or stainless steel utensils. These might look like scratches, but they are easily removed with some Soft Scrub, a sponge, and a little elbow grease.
Porcelain tile has the same color throughout the material. A broken or chipped piece of unglazed porcelain will have a uniform color throughout its thickness. Ceramic tile often has a glazed surface coloring, so chips may reveal a different color underneath. The finish of porcelain is smoother than that of ceramic.
The disadvantages of ceramic sinks are much smaller, but they should also be considered before buying. First, sinks made of this material are quite heavy and difficult to install them yourself. Secondly, the ceramic surface is not resistant to strong shocks. If you drop something very heavy into the sink, it may crack.
Durable and long-lasting – With proper care, a ceramic sink can last for many years. The ceramic material is resistant to scratches, chips, and stains. Easy to care for – They can be cleaned with mild soap and water and do not require any special cleaners or sealants.
If you are looking to avoid using chemicals altogether or if marks are particularly rugged, then cleaning with a Magic Eraser can help achieve the perfect shine with no extra product. 'Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to quickly scrub your porcelain sink.
For white porcelain only, bleach can be used to remove stains; never use chlorine bleach in colored or vintage porcelain, as it can damage the finish. For both white and colored porcelain, liquid oxygen bleach (such as hydrogen peroxide) is a good alternative.
Unfortunately, since the material is soft, it has a tendency to hold onto stains, scuff marks, and even scratches if you're not careful. That being said, non-abrasive cleaners are the best way to clean a porcelain sink.
Double Basin/Bowl Sink
The most popular type of kitchen sink arrangement, dual basins allow for washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other side.
A stainless steel sink is the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen sink as they are resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. What's more, they are also some of the most versatile sinks coming in a variety of styles and sizes meaning they fit in most kitchens easily no matter the size or style.
Porcelain, Ceramic and Fireclay Kitchen Sinks
Their non-porous and high gloss finish makes the sinks stain-resistant and fairly easy to keep clean using normal everyday household cleaning products.
THICKER GAUGES
A better quality stainless steel kitchen sink is the 18-gauge, which is 0.0500 inches. Many home improvement choices recommend 16 to 18 gauges as a good choice for a stainless steel kitchen sink. The more costly, a 16-gauge stainless sinks is often touted as a luxury sink and are 0.0625 inches thick.
Both Grades 18/8 and 18/10 are ideal for kitchen sinks. Of the two, 18/8 will typically be a little more affordable than 18/10. Ideally, the ratio should be between 18:8 and 20:10.
In the case of farmhouse sinks the most common options would be Cast Iron, Natural Stone, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Copper and Fireclay.