| Choosing a new sink is a difficult task to | | | | variety of materials. They do scratch and are |
| say the least. Should you order one basin or | | | | much less "hot pot" friendly when compared to |
| two? How about three? Deep basin or shallow | | | | Stainless. All things considered, Composite |
| basin? Is a built in drainboard really | | | | sinks are less durable than Stainless but can |
| necessary? How about a ledge? Those are just | | | | offer a more customized look to your kitchen. |
| a few questions you should ask yourself | | | | |
| before you order your new sink. Another | | | | Soapstone - these apron sinks diminish |
| question that must be answered is the type of | | | | storage space under the sink but are easy to |
| material your sink will be made of: Stainless | | | | clean and can handle hot pots almost as well |
| Steel, Fireclay, Composite, Soapstone, or | | | | as Stainless. The Vermont Soapstone company |
| Slate? The choices are many when it comes to | | | | has been producing these sinks since 1850. |
| sink material. We are going to discuss five | | | | These types of sinks are not widely known or |
| of them. | | | | widely distributed. They are available in a |
| | | | soft, whitish gray with a lighter quartz |
| Stainless Steel - the old standby for the | | | | marbling. Stain resistance increases with the |
| kitchen sink, and for good reason. Hands | | | | sink's age, and these sinks blend equally |
| down, Stainless is the most durable form of | | | | with both modern and traditional designs. |
| kitchen sink available. The steel never fades | | | | |
| and the high-tech look of Stainless always | | | | Slate - these types of sinks lean towards |
| appears current with modern design. Stainless | | | | difficult for general cleaning and can be |
| is easy to install (and likewise easy to | | | | particularly hard on dropped dishes. These |
| remove) and easy to keep clean. Also, | | | | are custom-order only and are available in |
| extremely hot pans can be placed directly | | | | reddish, blackish, and purplish tones. Care |
| onto its surface without cause for worry. You | | | | should be taken when sealing otherwise |
| can never go wrong with a Stainless Steel | | | | staining can occur. Despite the few |
| sink unless you insist on a warmer look and | | | | shortcomings of this type of sink, no other |
| feel for your kitchen - the cold steel often | | | | sink material offers the texture and organic |
| presents a cold atmosphere along with its | | | | beauty that can only be found in a true Slate |
| practical attributes. | | | | sink. |
| | | | |
| Fireclay - these sinks are made from a | | | | When choosing your sink material, you should |
| natural material and are fired in extremely | | | | ask yourself the following: how much time do |
| hot temperatures using an unusual technique. | | | | you spend using the sink everyday? Do you |
| The firing temperatures are so hot that the | | | | prefer an easy-to-clean sink or a beautiful |
| glaze fuses with the clay, resulting in an | | | | sink that requires more daily maintenance? |
| exceptionally strong, hard surface that is | | | | Will your new sink experience mild or heavy |
| resilient to chips, stains, scratches, and | | | | usage? Will dropped dishes be common place or |
| dings. If you are worried about chipping your | | | | rare? Are you worried about chipping and |
| Fireclay sink from the occasional dropped | | | | staining? Is your new sink going to last a |
| pan, you can purchase a wire grid to guard | | | | lifetime or is there a possibility you could |
| against such an occurrence. Fireclay sinks | | | | be replacing it in five to ten years? Are you |
| are the new trend in today's kitchen design. | | | | on a budget or is the sky the limit when it |
| They are available in a variety of colors and | | | | comes to pricing? By answering the above |
| designs. | | | | questions and taking into consideration the |
| | | | benefits and liabilities of each sink |
| Composite - the thicker the design, the more | | | | material, you should be able to make a more |
| durable your Composite sink will be. These | | | | informed decision when choosing your new |
| types of sinks come in a wide variety of | | | | kitchen sink. |
| colors and are made from an even larger | | | | |