How-To Advice for the Best Finish on a Kitchen Sink

Your new kitchen sink can have any of a variety of finishes.

The finish you choose for your new kitchen sink will affect your home in multiple ways. Each type of finish available for kitchen sinks will have a slightly different look, meaning not all of them might match the style of your kitchen. More importantly, however, the durability, maintenance and overall functionality of kitchen sink finishes can vary greatly. To find the best finish for your sink, consider which factors are most important to you.

Instructions

1. Factor in the color of each sink finish. Stainless steel, brass and copper finishes are the color of the metal. An enameled cast iron finish comes in multiple colors, but they are typically neutral, such as white, gray or black. Composite acrylic and fiberglass sinks can come in more color options, and integral solid surface finishes do as well. Vitreous china sinks can have a delicate pattern usually over a light surface for the finish.

2. Find out the advantages of each type of sink finish you're considering. Stainless steel finishes, for example, are durable as long as you get an 18 gauge or thicker. Brass and copper finishes are also durable options. An enameled cast iron finish is chip-resistant and easiest to clean, and composite acrylic and fiberglass can resist chips as long as they're newer. Integral solid surface finishes and Vitreous china finishes are completely scratch-resistant.

3. Look for the disadvantages of each finish option for your kitchen sink. Vitreous China sinks, for example, cannot be cut. Therefore, your faucet and other accessories have to be mounted on your countertop. Thin stainless steel sinks of less than 18 gauge can be easily damaged, and mirror finish stainless steel scratches and stains easily. Enamel cast iron finishes are very heavy and cannot be installed on more fragile countertops. The glossy finish of composite acrylic and fiberglass sinks make stains easily seen. Scratches are easy to see on integral solid surfaces finishes, and brass and copper can be poor choices in a kitchen because excessive moisture can tarnish them.

4. Pay attention to the price of each kitchen sink finish option. This can vary greatly by manufacturer and location. Specialty sinks, such as vitreous china, tend to be more expensive, along with higher grades of stainless steel. However, if you want quality, the higher prices might be worth it.

References

• Home Tips: Kitchen Sink Buying Guide