Think of the first time that you walked into a friend’s new kitchen. Your eyes no doubt darted around the kitchen, admiring appliances, countertops, floors, and the kitchen sink. When remodeling your kitchen, a new kitchen sink will be on your list. And depending on the condition of your current sink, if a full remodel isn’t on your agenda, your kitchen might benefit from replacing the sink.
In your pursuit for a new kitchen sink, you will find a broad range of sinks from stainless steel to cast iron with enamel finish to the rich, high end of china/clay, granite, brass, or copper sinks. Depending on the design and what the kitchen sink is made of, it can cost as little as $50 all the way up to $3,000 or more according to Lowes.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
Stainless steel sinks are available in different depths from 4 inches in multiple basin sinks up to 12 inches deep. The deeper basin makes it easier to fill or wash tall pots. There’s even a stainless steel sink with a coating to reduce noise of pots hitting the sink while at the same time, providing insulation to help keep the wash water warm longer.
Stainless steel kitchen sinks are popular because of their sturdiness. They can handle abuse from dropped pots without denting, unlike the enamel coated cast iron sink counterpart which can chip.
Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks with Porcelain Enamel Finish
The enamel finish of a cast iron sink can add pizazz to your kitchen. Most houses built prior to the 1960’s had cast iron sinks with white enamel finish. Today, you can choose from other colors including royal blue, black, red, and green. Plus, the modern enamel application is less likely to etch from acidic foods touching the surface.
Because the weight of a cast iron sink, as much as 130 pounds, the sink opening of the cabinet needs additional support. For those looking for an enamel finish without the weight of cast iron, the porcelain enamel finish can also be applied to steel or aluminum.
Rich, High End Kitchen Sinks
For the more glamorous kitchen, consider a copper sink or brass sink, but keep in mind that in order to avoid tarnishing, those types of materials need to be wiped dry after use. A china kitchen basin, called vitreous china, is made from clay and will have a decorative painted design. This type of sink can easily chip so it’s not for pot washing but could serve as a station to wash fruits and vegetables.
Gain a touch of nostalgia with farmhouse sinks as seen here. Farmhouse sinks may include an attached drain board. Adding to the vintage appeal of farmhouse sinks is the apron front, where the horizontal front of the sink displays.
Undermount Sinks versus Topmount Kitchen Sinks
The difference between undermount sinks and topmount sinks is in the installation process. Undermount sinks are installed to the bottom side of the countertop giving a clean edge on top. With an undermount sink, you will find that you can wipe crumbs off the countertop directly into the sink without encumbering the rim of the sink. While the topmount sink has a rim that sets on the countertop, making it easier to install.
