Best for: Affordability, durability, and low maintenance. The most common option for a kitchen sink material is stainless steel. This material is well-known for its water-resistance, durability, and scratch-resistance, and is also often recognized for superior rust-resistance and antimicrobial properties.
Granite Composite
Similar to quartz composite, granite composite is a mixture of natural granite and acrylic. This combination creates one of the strongest sink materials available! It's easy to clean, resistant to heat, scratches, chips, and stains–everything you need to keep your sink beautiful for decades.
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
Manufactured from clay fired at an extremely high temperature, fireclay sinks are highly resistant to scratches, staining and chipping. Cleanup is easy — just dish soap on a sponge, or use a mild abrasive cleanser for tougher marks. These are the sinks I often recommend for those who want a white kitchen sink.
Porcelain Kitchen Sinks
Strong and durable, porcelain sinks hold up well over time when cared for. Porcelain sinks are available in a wide range of colors. Porcelain can mimic the look of natural stones, like marble. It's a low maintenance material that's easy to clean.
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 top-mount and undermount models are available; undermount models ease cleanup because there is no lip to catch food and debris, but are usually more expensive. Stainless steel sinks also resist chipping and cracking, however, are likely to be scratched through everyday use and often show water spots.
Porcelain, ceramic and fireclay kitchen sinks have extremely low water absorption characteristics (making them easy to keep clean on a regular basis).
The most common option for a kitchen sink material is stainless steel. This material is well-known for its water-resistance, durability, and scratch-resistance, and is also often recognized for superior rust-resistance and antimicrobial properties. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for just about any kitchen.
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.
By far the most popular material for kitchen sinks, stainless steel sinks are resistant to heat and stains and are available in a variety of types, styles and sizes.
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.
Ultimate functionality combined with the highest level of customization, results in the most advanced kitchen sink in the world: A Havens Workstation Sink. Advanced workstation sinks are available in 9 luxury metal finishes, handcrafted from the finest American copper and stainless steel metals available.
The heavy materials or substances sink to the bottom of the water solution. Example: Copper, silver, gold, sand, and chalk powder.
If you prioritize style, sound absorption, and a luxurious look, a quartz sink might be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you value durability, versatility, and a more affordable price point, a stainless steel sink could be the way to go.
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.
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.
Key Differences Between Porcelain and Quartz
The biggest difference between the two materials is their level of heat-resistance. Porcelain withstands heat well and is unaffected by direct sunlight, while quartz surfaces can warp or become discolored over time.
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.
Porcelain kitchen sinks are durable
While porcelain is incredibly durable, it can chip or stain under certain conditions. If you drop a heavy item in your porcelain sink, such as a cast iron pan, it may chip and require resurfacing.
While stainless steel sinks are durable, they do tend to scratch if abrasive cleansers are used. You might notice tiny scratches on an older stainless steel sink if you look closely. Most stainless steel varieties have a grain or pattern to them.
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.