Scratches: Ceramic sinks can easily be scratched, especially if they are made of softer materials. This can happen during normal use or if something sharp is placed on the sink. Stains: Stains can occur from dirt, food, and other substances that come into contact with the sink.
Using plastic washing up bowls can create a build-up of grit underneath them, which may scratch the glaze of the ceramic. It's best to avoid these completely or use a bowl with a soft base to protect the sink's surface.
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.
A stainless steel sink is the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen sink as they are resistant to heat, stains, and scratches.
Stainless Steel
When choosing your kitchen sink, you pretty much can't go wrong with stainless steel. This top kitchen sink material is extremely durable and able to withstand heavy drops from pots and pans while also resisting scratches from sharp knives and utensils.
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 is the most popular kitchen sink material for ease of use/cleaning, installation, and to achieve a modern kitchen design. They provide a contemporary look with a sleek profile, especially when paired with composite stone, granite, or wood countertops.
Fireclay is a highly durable material that holds up better than even enameled cast iron. This type of kitchen sink is resistant to stains, scratches, and dents, though it may need to be reglazed at some point, depending on the severity and frequency of use.
Why is my new stainless steel sink showing scratch marks after only a few weeks? Brand new but a few little scratches already: your stainless steel sink will be a little susceptible to this at first. However, there's no need to worry. This is completely normal, even with our top quality stainless steel.
Durability: The durability of ceramic sinks and their heavy frames, make them sturdy and reliable kitchen centerpieces. Heavy duty glazing and layered clay composition makes this sink chip proof as well as resistant to many household chemicals.
Hygienic - Because ceramic is not porous, bacteria is not absorbed. Cleaning is made easier by simply wiping off dirt and dust with a soft dry cloth, giving you peace of mind that your sink remains clean.
Most of the time, sink scratches are caused by certain accessories, such as curling irons and blow dryers, coming in contact with the porcelain sink. Instead of scrubbing the bottom of your sink with abrasive cleaners, try filling the sink with warm water and adding about two cups of bleach to the water.
For everyday cleaning of your ceramic sink, using a soft cloth or sponge with some mild liquid soap or any vinegar-based cleaner is ideal.
A 50% mix of water and white vinegar can be used to remove limescale deposits, ensure to rinse thoroughly after use, do not leave the vinegar in contact with the surface. A nylon scratch pad or toothbrush can be used on difficult areas. Dry the sink after use to delay future build up.
Porcelain, ceramic and fireclay kitchen sinks have extremely low water absorption characteristics (making them easy to keep clean on a regular basis).
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.
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.
Durability - It's nearly impossible to scratch or chip fireclay, and they're much less likely to crack or scratch compared to cast iron. Because of the finish, fireclay sinks are unlikely to discolor, rust, or fade over time.
Consider A Washing Up Bowl. A stainless steel sink can get scratched while cleaning knives and other sharp materials. You can easily avoid this by using a washing up bowl. However even using a washing up bowl, you should still ensure to clean your sink every day or two.
The simple answer, is yes! Of course they can scratch and they can stain. Like most things in life, it is all about how you maintain and treat your investment. Damage is inevitable, with enough weight or force on any of these sink options.
Stainless steel sinks are very low maintenance; they are corrosion and rust resistant, and as long as they are cared for properly and wiped down after every use, they should not stain. Find out more about how to clean a stainless steel sink by reading our guide with handy tips and tricks from our experts.
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 porcelain sink is typically solid with no frame underneath, an enamel sink will have a frame usually made of steel or iron – as a result, a porcelain sink will be much lighter than enamel. Visually, the two sinks are very similar.