Photo by Max Vakhtbovych

Most Durable Sink Materials For a Kitchen

Nowadays, homeowners have much more choices for the material for the kitchen sink than they used to have in the past. From stainless steel to natural stones, the variety available in the market is amazing.

In today’s world, the kitchen is not just a place where an individual prepares his meal and stores his food stocks; they have now transformed into a status symbol. So naturally, individuals want their kitchens to be as beautiful as their living rooms, but at the same time, no individuals want to compromise on the quality of the material. Solid surface and quartz are among the most popular options nowadays. Learn more about solid surface and quartz on this site.

Image from Design Cafe

There is a misconception about kitchen sinks that a material that is beautiful to look at would not be durable and vice versa. Well, this might be the case a few years back. Still, with so many discoveries of materials and advancements in technology, homeowners can now get their kitchen fitted with materials that are not just mesmerizing but are also strong and durable at the same time.

One of the major parts of the kitchen is the sink. Hence, every homeowner wants the kitchen fitted with the most attractive sink. However, apart from being attractive, the homeowners must focus on the most durable sink material because the sink faces a lot of wear and tear as all the dishes are washed here.

Also, individuals should go for a material that is not corrosive, as the sink will be in continuous contact with water.

Here’s a list of the most durable sink material available in the market for a kitchen sink:

Quartz

Image from Quality Bath

Quartz is probably the most durable sink material on the market and provides a glossy finish to the sink. Quartz sinks are generally composed of two materials: quartz and resin in a 90/10 ratio.

These sinks provide the look and feel of a natural stone but at a much lower price. In addition, they are naturally soundproof and can resist heat upto five hundred and thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Also, this material retains its color for a lifetime.

Many homeowners feel that the answer to the question, “what is the most durable material for kitchen sink units?”, is quartz.

Stainless steel

Photo by Callum Hill on Unsplash

This is a popular material among homeowners looking to renovate their kitchen as it is the most durable kitchen sink material. If we do not consider some specific brands, mostly stainless steel sinks are cheap compared to sinks made of other materials.

Apart from being very budget-friendly, stainless steel sinks are also very durable, and fragility is totally out of the question. Stainless steel never gets rusty and lasts longer than most materials.

Stainless steels almost have no cons, yes, they might be a bit noisier compared to other materials, but there is almost no con that an individual can think of.

Stainless steel is quite a durable material and gives the kitchen a shiny look. Yes, with time and wear and tear, they might get a lot of scratches and eventually lose their shiny look, but this is bound to happen with any material; every material will face some wear and tear and eventually lose its charm.

Cast iron

Image from Kohler

Even cast iron is very durable and probably the strongest in this list and also heaviest. Though cast iron is a strong material, it generally doesn’t last that long because it tends to get rusted very easily when it comes in contact with moisture.

When used as a kitchen sink, it is impossible to keep cast iron from getting in contact with water. However, this rusting process cannot be prevented but can be postponed by covering the sink with a layer of porcelain enamel. This will not just help the sink last long but will also give a glossy finish to the sink. This enamel is also stain-resistant and can be cleaned easily.

However, one should avoid acidic cleaners while cleaning, as this may rot the layer and lead to the sink being exposed to moisture, eventually making it rusty. But, if this material has so many flaws, why is this material included in this list of most durable sink material? Well, this material may have flaws, but the good news is the sink made with cast iron is very easy to refinish if faced with any of the above-mentioned problems.

Fireclay

Image from MR Direct

Fireclay is one of the latest materials introduced to the kitchen sink material. Fireclay is a mix of minerals and clay roasted at a high temperature. Then, they are coated with a glaze just like cast iron to give them a glossy finish. Fireclay kitchen sinks are available in many colors, but the most popular ones include off-white or pure white.

Fire clay is immune to stains and scratches. This material also makes to list those few materials resistant to acids, and fireclay won’t even rust like cast iron. But even fireclay has its flaws; Fireclay is fragile and can face cracks even from heavy vibrations. Apart from being fragile, fireclay sinks are also very heavy and may require reinforcement to support that heavyweight.

Stone composite

Image from Lowes

A stone composite kitchen sink could be a great alternative if an individual is a little low on budget and cannot afford a solid stone sink. These sinks are not made of actual stones. Instead, they are made with the stone dust collected from different stone carving sites and hence, very effectively replicate the actual stones. The only thing missing in these sinks is the pattern that appears naturally on the solid stones.

Stone composite has a somewhat very smooth and consistent texture. Composite is durable and perfect material for heavy usage. As they are not any different from the solid stone kitchen sinks, this material is stain and scratch-resistant. But they have an advantage over solid stones; unlike solid stones, these sinks are non-porous; hence, they do not require regular sealing.

Stone composite sinks crack very easily when they come in contact with extreme heat. Hence an individual should ensure not to place any hot utensils directly into the sink.

Conclusion

So, these were the best materials that could be considered by an individual while remodeling the kitchen.

These sinks come in various colors, designs, and price ranges. The sink is one the most important fitting of a kitchen and faces the most wear and tear; hence the material should be chosen after a very close analysis and considering all the needs and wants of an individual.

So, don’t hustle while deciding on the kitchen sink. Hence, an individual should take time to analyze the needs and wants of the kitchen and then only decide which kitchen sink suits his kitchen the best.

Gail P
I am a beachy type of person, living in Newport Beach, and oftentimes I’ll go for a swim with my daughter. When I’m bored, I’ll help make package boxes for my little girl’s sticker company on Etsy.