What is the Best Material for a Farmhouse Sink?
When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, making it a perfect place is every person’s top priority. While choosing tiles for floors and paint color for walls, we often overlook some smaller details like a sink.
We always think that sinks should just be square, made of stainless steel and white in color, and that’s all. But what we usually miss is their material type which decides the overall duration of the sink. There are plenty of sink materials, colors, designs, and styles. You can expand various design possibilities based on your kitchen needs and style.
Farmhouse kitchen sinks are comparatively a most popular choice today that is traditionally a wide and deep option as compared to a traditional sink type. Its design allows you to stand directly in front of your sink and is not only helpful in washing dishes but equally beneficial for cleaning vegetables and even clothes at its other half.
So, there could be lots of preferences involved when it comes to choosing a farmhouse kitchen. Especially its material types. From fireclay material to stainless steel, and cast iron to copper, you can find them in multiple material types which have their own different characteristics.
Let’s analyze all the material types carefully and figure out what’s best for your kitchen.
Fireclay Sinks
If you want to make your sink a focal point of your kitchen that transforms its looks from traditional to contemporary, then a fireclay farmhouse sink is probably the nicest choice to consider. Fireclay sinks are made of durable ceramic clay. Experts dry the clay in extremely aggressive heat and fired a kiln at a higher temperature so it can fuse to make a porcelain enamel layer. The process boosts the durability of ceramic clay as well as porcelain enamel and gives the sink a wonderful shiny appearance.
Their glossy finish makes fireclay farmhouse sinks stronger to resist any kind of scratches, dents, cracks, stains, fading, and discoloration. These sink types are easy to clean and maintain. You can do it with a simple soft cloth or a sponge. For a more stunning finish, you can use abrasive chemicals as well.
While these sink types are a bit expensive than other materials, but they are also quite durable, 100% rustproof, need low maintenance, and available in different colors. However, the drawbacks include heavyweight and hard installation, which is why professional installation is recommended.
Stainless steel
This is the most common and popular material for kitchen sinks. You can find this type in almost every kitchen, and the reason is- affordability. However, its price still depends on the weight of the steel and gauge. If the gauge is lower, the steel will be thicker.
You will see that many farmhouse sinks will be available with gauge sizes between 18-22 inches, but some types have 15 to 24 inches gauge. Remember when you have a heavy-gauge, it reduces all the noise and sound while minimizing scratches and all wear and tear.
Stainless steel sinks are a bit noisier than other traditional sink types, however, you need to find versions that have sound-absorbing rubber pads.
Water spots are also more visible in stainless steel, and you have to put some effort into removing them. These sink types are also quite prone to scratches and dents. However, the best benefit is, they are heat and stain-resistant.
If we talk about the aesthetic point of view, you will see that this material type complements your kitchen interior easily.
They are easy to sterilize, heat and stain-resistant, affordable for every budget, and forgiving with heavy metals and glassware.
Some of the downsides are, they may not coordinate with your rustic kitchen look and are prone to show spots and scratches easily.
Cast Iron
Cast iron material type is a perfect fit for a rustic kitchen style because it is the oldest material that has been used for years. Cast iron vs. fireclay sinks is also a common debate currently, due to their similar qualities. These sink types have a shiny enamel finish and are crafted with melting glass that fuses in the process of casting iron, so it can prevent rusting. The finish usually looks sleek, soft, and smooth, the material type is quite durable, long-lasting, and resistant to scratches. Cast iron farmhouse sink is easy to clean and maintain as the material is stain and water-resistant.
Cast iron farmhouse sinks are more durable as they are heavier in weight, and it positively impacts the entire look of your kitchen.
These sinks have a classy gloss white finish which appeals to the eyes. Moreover, they are resistant and durable, so they last for decades. You can get them in exact measurements.
However, some downsides are they are an expensive choice than other material types. Especially if you get any other color than white, you may need to pay more charges.
Granite Composite
Granite composite farmhouse sinks are basically the combination of granite with acrylic resin filler or sometimes crushed quartz. These sink types are built from 80% stone as well as 20% resin. Many people prefer to get granite farmhouse sinks, but the fact is, these material types need a lot of maintenance, and they are also quite expensive.
When they are mixed with resin, composite farmhouse sinks are extremely durable and you can easily take care of them, with excellent affordability features. Granite composite farmhouse sinks are tough in nature, they are resistant to fading, dents, scratches, and stains.
However, when you are installing them into the kitchen, you have to take special care during installation and delivery, so they do not get cracked. They are highly durable, available in different colors, and do not need any special chemicals for cleaning.
But the drawback is, they only come in matte finishes and can be cracked during installation without extreme care.
Copper sinks
If you want to make a beautiful style statement, copper sinks are excellent to consider. These material types are naturally long-lasting, rust-resistant, and anti-microbial with bacteria-killing properties. You don’t need to do extra care to maintain them.
The surprising element is antique copper apron sinks function very well even after 50-100 years. The reason is, copper farmhouse sinks are engineered to withstand all wear and tear, however, they are available with a heavy price tag.
So, if you want to make sure that your copper sink lasts long, choose models that have 99% copper; mixed with zinc it’s meant to boost the strength of the sink.
Copper sinks are usually available in varying degrees of matte and glossy finishes for all single and double bowl types. You can choose ornate flourishes, like sculptural and basketweave design which helps increase the overall look of your copper farmhouse sink.
Copper sinks are durable, recyclable, handmade, feature a unique finish, and have natural antimicrobial properties. Some of the drawbacks are they are made of softer material, fade and discolor with time, and expensive than other material types.
Stone Sinks
Fireclay sinks made of the natural stone give a fine and polished look that complements your entire kitchen interior. Stone farmhouse sinks are usually crafted from one solid slab of stone that has been intelligently carved into one sink bowl or made from stone slabs that combine to form a sink. All the natural attributes of stone sinks make them a quieter choice than other noisy materials.
Also note that many farmhouse sinks are prone to spots and stains, so it’s important to get a proper sample of stone before you buy the sink and test it out.
Keep in mind that different stone materials have different performances. For example, soapstone is a naturally soft and sleek stone that is also more stain-resistant, however, resistant to cracks and stains. If you want to preserve its life and look, it’s recommended to reseal it after a year.
These stone sinks have great potential to match your countertops and give an attractive look. They are also quite distinctive and have rust-proof properties. When they are sealed properly, they are stain and dent-resistant.
Some of the drawbacks include, they are expensive, prone to stains, and some stone types are more fragile.
Porcelain
The porcelain sink is one of the most traditional material types in kitchen sinks. Due to their compact nature and longstanding popularity as a sink material, these sinks are extremely cost-effective and available in different colors, styles, and shapes. You can select any color that matches your interior.
Generally speaking, porcelain sinks usually look well in bathrooms as they are fragile than other traditional types. In case you drop a heavy dish item or sharp object, the sink would be damaged and get stained. You can also buy some kits to repair the damages, but they are quite pricey. Their plus points are, porcelain is a heat-resistant material, available in different colors and finishes and their traditional looks are suitable for farmhouse-style kitchens.
Unfortunately, they are not much durable for heavy kitchen usage and are prone to dents and chips.
Bottom line
Farmhouse sinks are the most reliable sink types that are best for big kitchens. They need zero to no maintenance and are available in different colors, styles, and materials. So, if you are thinking to buy farmhouse sinks but couldn’t decide which material type is the best for your kitchen, read the article twice and carefully analyze all the material types.
If you are still confused, have a look at KibiUSA’s collection that has lots of options for every budget type. No matter what type you choose, the experts make sure that you choose a standout design for your needs.