Kitchen Island With Sink Decorating Ideas

I have lots of experience with DIY plumbing and am here to share my tips and step-by-step pictorial guides with you.

What Are Kitchen Sinks Made Of?

When the time comes to replace or install a new kitchen sink, many things must be considered: style, size, color, durability, and of course, price. The goal for most people is to manage that fine line between looks and cost.

The stuff the sink is made of is extremely important. If you don't understand the different materials, you might finger through a hundred sites, only to end up unknowingly choosing the wrong sink for your needs and taste.

Even though high-end sinks are beautiful and stunning to look at, they come with beautifully stunning price tags as well! So let's take a look at what we can find to fit your needs, style and most importantly your kitchen project budget.

You will find an overview for each type of material used to manufacture sinks. Each will tell you what problems the sink material may bring as well as the good reasons for choosing each sink type. And a very in-depth look at everyone's favorite sink material, stainless steel!

Price Comparison for Kitchen Sink Materials


Sink Material	Sink Price
Stainless Steel	$30 to $1,000 and up
Enamel	$100 and up
Cast Iron	$75 to $500 (as cheap as $5 if used)
Acrylic	$200 and up
Composite	$200 and up
Fireclay	$2,000 to $10,000 or more
Handcrafted	$3,000 to $4,000 (also, allow for cost of custom cabinets)

A Comparison of Kitchen Sink Materials

You should always visit a showroom or home center before buying a sink. You will want to touch and see for yourself. A picture won't give you a reliable impression.

Here are the seven main materials that kitchen sinks are made of:

Stainless Steel
Enamel
Cast Iron
Composite
Acrylic
Fireclay
Copper (and other metals)

1. Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless has to be the most popular sink material installed. The quality and price is as vast as the Grand Canyon is deep. Even as stainless is the most common sink choice, not all are created equal. You want to look for a sink that is solid and has a heavy feel to it. The metal needs to be pretty thick. Be sure to find the "gauge" of the metal before buying—for example, 18 is thicker than 22 gauge; the lower the gauge number the thicker the metal will be. The thicker the gauge, the more the sink is going to cost due to the higher quality and durability. Oh, and that high-end mirror finish; it is simply an extra buffing that makes the sink shine so brilliantly, so this is strictly a matter of taste not practicality. The mirror shine sinks have quite a beautiful visual appeal. But remember, when it comes to stainless steel sinks you really do get what you pay for. A thinner gauge steel is likely to vibrate, bend, and twist as you use the faucet head, no matter how shiny the finish looks. To be safe, it's recommended that you avoid the cheapest models at all costs!

The Stainless Nickel Blend

Some lower end stainless sinks will have problems with surface rust and staining. To eliminate these conditions be sure you are choosing a sink that has at least 10% nickel in the metal. Most low-end sinks only have 8%, which is why these kitchen sinks develop surface rust. You want to locate a sink that is rated 18/10 (which means, 18-gauge thickness and 10% nickel content).

Soundproofing a Stainless Steel Sink

Another component to consider when buying a stainless steel sink is the soundproofing. You want to find a sink that offers enough coating on the underside, as do most of the better quality stainless sinks. This material is a spray-on soundproofing flock that absorbs the "dong" sound some stainless sinks can bring. It is easy to tell the difference, as low-end sinks will only have a little foam pad stuck to the underside of the bowls instead of the coating or nothing at all. If the budget is really tight, you can always buy a spray-can of car undercoating and apply your own soundproofing.

2. Enameled Kitchen Sinks

If you are in the market for a low cost, shiny and beautiful sink, enamel-on-steel is a good choice, at least when you first bring it home. It has the appearance of cast iron, but is far lighter in weight. It can chip easily if something heavy gets dropped on it or bangs against its sides, it will probably lose its shine after only a couple of years, and the enamel has a tendency to wear off in spots in under a decade. Think of those sinks you find in early model mobile homes; possibly not the top choice for your kitchen sink replacement.

3. Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks

The cast-iron sink was the pillar of early plumbing and seems to be making a comeback in some areas. These are made by laying a hardy porcelain coating over heavy cast iron. Cast-iron sinks can be beautiful and will stay so for a lifetime. The porcelain keeps its showroom shine for decades and is far more resistant to chipping and cracking than the enamel-on-iron sink. However, if a pan is heavy enough and moving fast enough you can be sure even porcelain will give up a chip or a crack. A good safety prevention against such chipping and cracking is to place a mat in the sink basin. Always avoid setting a hot cast-iron skillet directly in a mat-less sink, as this will guarantee a chip (or pop-out) for sure!

Finding a kitchen sink made out of the right material for your taste requires a little research-- don't forget to feel the materials!

K9keystrokes

4. Composite Kitchen Sinks

What do you get when you mix stone, dust, and resin? Composite material! And kitchen sinks made of the stuff are very popular. You will find two types of composite sinks: shiny and dull. The shiny composite sinks look just like a porcelain-on-cast-iron finish (but are a lot lighter). The dull composite sinks look just like stone and can have a smooth or semi-rough finish. It is easier to scratch the smooth finish, but these scratches are pretty simple to buff out. The semi-rough finish has often been advertised as heat, scratch, and stain resistant. One of the more convenient aspects of composite products has to be in the kitchen countertop arena. You can order composite countertops with an integral sink built right in! Now that's an awesome "two-birds-with-one-stone" scenario! (Note: I do not support or advise any stone throwing at any birds).

5. Acrylic Kitchen Sinks

If you shop carefully and know what brand to search for, acrylic sinks can be an amazing choice. Acrylic products—sinks, tubs, and showers—are made using a very cool technique where by a vacuum pulls a solid sheet of acrylic into a mold, morphing it to the desired shape. A high-quality acrylic sink is beautiful, quiet, and is resistant to stains; and some models even have a germ-fighting compound built right into the material. On the flip-side, common acrylic is quite vulnerable to surface cuts and scratches. If you use an abrasive cleanser the surface of the sink will dull, and metal pans will absolutely leave ugly skid marks across the sink.

If you want to get a hold of a high-density acrylic sink that is virtually indistructable, a company called Karran USA is your answer. These guys make an acrylic sink whose color will not fade, and that no household chemical or food stain can penetrate. That's right, it is okay to use any household cleaser—even the super abrasive cleansers and bleach—without leaving any sign of damage at all. And get this, the high-density acrylic sink material is totally heat resistant up to 400°F!

6. Fireclay Kitchen Sinks (or Vitreous China)

For those who have a six-figure budget, Fireclay sinks may just be what you are looking for. Also referred to as "vitreous china," Fireclay sinks are a very high-end product. This sink is the same color all of the way through and can have some exquisite (even custom) detailing. The Fireclay sink is more a work of art than a utility item. The best sinks of this material are handcrafted in Limoges, France. The factories that manufacture this product are as environmentally considerate as one can find. Unknown to most consumers is that this kitchen sink is a lead-free product and is also a very eco-friendly and completely recyclable item.

7. Copper Kitchen Sinks (and Other Handcrafted Options)

Another high-end option is the handcrafted copper kitchen sink. One company, Oregon Copper Bowl has a variety of finishes: polished, satin coffee, antique patina, satin nickel, and stainless steel. You can even find the old farmhouse-style double-bowl, but expect to pay a pretty "penny" for it. This style of sink may require some fancy custom cabinetry work to house it, so make sure to allow for this extra cost in your budget. For me, no more beautiful material for sinks exists.

Wassup2day.com on February 01, 2013:

haha. Very different but very useful post.

Alecia Murphy from Wilmington, North Carolina on January 31, 2013:

Interesting hub. I only associated the kitchen sink with stainless steel but to think there are options makes it seem like a more conscious selection than previously thought.

Hui (蕙) on January 28, 2013:

This is a unique topic to talk! Great knowledge to build a comfortable and neat kitchen. I like cooking, and so I love to have a comfortable kitchen.

Comfort Babatola from Bonaire, GA, USA on January 28, 2013:

Very well-written hub. You went to great details. Congrats on the HOTD award.

RTalloni on January 28, 2013:

Congrats on your Hub of the Day award for this informative post that gives us a good look at kitchen sinks--very useful.

Victoria Lynn from Arkansas, USA on January 28, 2013:

I don't think I've ever seen a cast iron sink. Interesting hub with all of the different kinds of sinks laid out well. This is a very attractive hub, too! Congrats on hub of the day! Well done!

Denise Handlon from North Carolina on January 28, 2013:

Hi India, Congrats on the HOTD and well deserved. Your hubs are always so thorough and useful. I enjoyed reading this-you dig in areas others skim over. :)

Sherri from Southeastern Pennsylvania on January 28, 2013:

Wonderfully informative. I don't happen to be in the market for a kitchen sink, but I found your writing so enjoyable I couldn't stop reading. :)

Cynthia Calhoun from Western NC on January 28, 2013:

Oh, how I wish I could have the high-end sink without the high-end price, hehe. Awesome, informative hub! This is also a perfect hub for HOTD - congrats! CONGRATS!

Glen Nunes from Cape Cod, Massachusetts on January 28, 2013:

K9 - congrats on HOTD! I'm in the midst of kitchen renovation planning right now, so this is helpful info. I've been assuming the new sink would be stainless steel, but you've given me some interesting options to think about. Thanks for the info.

Mary Hyatt from Florida on January 28, 2013:

Congrats on HOTD! Very interesting and informative. I have a stainless steel sink, but it gets stains from tea,etc. Not exactly stainless. Guess there are pros and cons to each kind.

Voted UP and will share.

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on January 28, 2013:

Being able to make such a boring article interesting is truly the mark of a great writer, Well done mate very well researched and put togetherand i can only hope my hubs are this good someday!

kikalina from Europe on January 28, 2013:

I love corian sinks. Love the idea of a seamless finish. Well done on this hub.

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on August 30, 2011:

Mrs. M~ Thank you for such nice remarks! I am over joyed you came by to learn a little about what our kitchen sinks are made of!

HubHugs~

Mrs. Menagerie from The Zoo on August 30, 2011:

This hub is so well done K9!! I can always recognize your signature style...great info, great photos and videos, well written...UP!

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on August 26, 2011:

Chin chin~ Interesting about ceramic tile sinks in the Philippines. A good old fashioned 18/10 Stainless Steel sink has to be the most popular sink style in the world!

Thank you for your commetns!

Cheers~

Chin chin from Philippines on August 26, 2011:

The most common sink I see are the stainless steel. But in the Philippines, I see some homes make ceramic tiled sinks especially in the dirty kitchen. Maybe only in the Philippines?

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on August 24, 2011:

Om Paramapoonya~ Thanks so much! I am thrilled the hub was picked by the staff! It says a lot when you (the next day's staff winner)enjoys my hub. I sure apreciate your comments and that you found the kitchen sink price chart helpful.

Cheers~

Om Paramapoonya on August 24, 2011:

Hi! Congrats on the win. This hub is really awesome. So informative and well-written. The price comparison chart is also very helpful. :)

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on August 24, 2011:

Les Trois Chenes~ Thanks for the comments! It was a lot to research, but I was able to find the perfect kitchen sink for our home needs by doing the footwork. So pleased you stopped by.

Cheers~

Les Trois Chenes from Videix, Limousin, South West France on August 24, 2011:

Goodness,I never thought so much about sinks! Just goes to show. Many thanks for an interesting hub.

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on August 23, 2011:

Simone~ I know! When I was researching kitchen sinks for my own home, I found that stainless steel sinks have to be soundproofed. Then I thoguht, yep. I can remember my mom's older sinks making that familiar "dong" noise when bumped. Thanks for stopping by!

HubHugs~

Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on August 23, 2011:

Wow, this is SUPER helpful! I've learned a lot of just plain interesting things from this Hub, too. I didn't realize that stainless steel sinks could be soundproofed, for example. How interesting!

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on August 23, 2011:

Gypsy Willow~ Thanks for the extra tip on composite kitchen sinks! I am sure someone will find it useful. Good luck in your new home, it must be very exciting! Thanks for your comments on the stuff sinks are made of.

Cheers~

Gypsy Willow from Lake Tahoe Nevada USA , Wales UK and Taupo New Zealand on August 23, 2011:

Very useful hub. I bought a house recently with a black rough composite sink. It drove me mad trying to get rid of the white stains on it until I went to a hardware store and moaned about it. An elderly assistant told me about a special sink cleaner and now it's as good as new! (Just in case someone else has this problem!)