Stainless steel sinks are the most common kitchen sinks around and is available in all prices ranges. However, you don’t expect to buy the best quality sink for a cheap price. Usually a cheap stainless steel sink is made of thin metal which flexes and vibrates.  It’s incredibly durable; it’s heat-resistant, doesn’t chip or crack, and is stain resistant. A good quality sink doesn’t get scratched easily and should be easy to clean. A sign of a good quality sink is also its ability to maintain a brand new appearance even if you just wipe it.

Benefits Of Stainless steel Kitchen Sinks

Durable
Overall, stainless steel sinks are among the most durable materials available to homeowners. They do not chip, crack or peel as enamel or porcelain sinks will do, and they’re resistant to stains. Although stainless steel resists corrosion, prolonged contact with chlorine bleach, muriatic acid, solvents and other harsh or abrasive cleaners can damage stainless steel finishes and leave them vulnerable to rust. The thickness of the steel also plays a role in the sink’s resistance to scratches and dents. The thicker the steel, the more durable the sink will be.

Improved
Stainless steel sinks are available in undermount and drop-in designs, and you can find a range of shapes and bowl configurations, as well as double, single or corner sink styles. You will also find a wide range of thicknesses, which are referred to as gauges. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel, and while the numbers aren’t much different, an 18-gauge sink is almost twice as thick as a 23-gauge steel sink. The thinner 23-gauge steel is less expensive but also less durable than an 18-gauge sink.

Convenience
One drawback to stainless steel sinks is that you have limited options in color and finish. If you prefer a bold color for your kitchen sink, don’t select stainless steel. While it comes in a range of finishes, such as mirrored, glossy sheen or brushed nickel, the color will always be silver. Stainless steel, however, does pair well with most decorating styles and appliances, so you can usually fit a stainless steel sink into a customized kitchen. Another drawback to this type of sink is that it tends to be noisy in comparison to other materials, such as acrylic or porcelain sinks. But higher-end stainless steel sinks (such as TORVA stainless steel sinks) offer sound-muffling coatings over the steel or a spray coating on the underside of the sink. This can greatly reduce the noise level, although it will not eliminate it.

Affordability
Compared to other materials, such as cast iron, granite or porcelain, stainless steel costs considerably less, no matter how thick the gauge or the configuration of the bowl. Because of its durability, stainless steel can also save you money in the long term, while other, less durable materials may require replacement.

When people talk about composite kitchen sinks, they’re usually talking about a granite or quartz composite. Composite sinks are made by combining crushed granite or quartz with a resin filler. The mixture varies depending on the product and manufacturer, but it’s usually around 80% stone and 20% resin.

Composite sinks are sinks that are constructed from two different materials, utilizing the benefits of these two materials while minimizing the drawbacks. Composite sinks have a natural beauty and strength that single material sinks do not. Each of these tough sinks has a heat resistance that can usually withstand up to 500 degrees and it won’t affect the finish. These sinks are resistant to cracks and dents from dropped or broken plates, as mentioned previously, heat damage that can be caused by hot pans. They’re also resistant to scratches caused by silverware and kitchen utensils.

Composite sinks are available in several materials. They’re made from quartz, granite and acrylic blends. The acrylic models are the least expensive, but a little more vulnerable to scratches. On the plus side, you can find them in just about any color. The composite sinks that use quartz are mixed with a resin filler that makes them a bit more durable. Quartz also tends to retain heat and will keep your dishwater warm a little longer. Plus, quartz is attainable on a more limited budget, about $250 for a high-end quartz composite. The granite sinks are the most expensive, but they are the toughest and the best choice if you’ve already remodeled your home with granite countertops.

It may be a good idea to hire a contractor before you decide which sink is the right one for you. The contractor can help guide you in your choice by considering your budget, the space available in your home and your needs. Plus, with a contractor advising you, you’ll know exactly how much it will cost for installation and ensure that it’s installed correctly. Composite sinks require different installation methods since they are constructed from special materials. A composite sink installation is not a good candidate for a DIY project unless you’ve been taught these special installation methods, though many of the methods used will depend on if you’ve chosen an over or under mount for your composite sink.

The alluring look of copper kitchen sinks make them a bold, beautiful addition to any kitchen. However, copper sinks have some unique characteristics that homeowners should consider before making a purchase.

Pros of Copper Kitchen Sinks

• Offer unique design and beauty
• Are available in smooth and hammered styles
• Give you the option of patina or gleaming finish
• Are antimicrobial when not waxed
• With a patina finish hide scratches quite well
• Are easy to maintain when a patina is allowed to form
• Are lighter than sinks made from most other materials, so won’t require excessive measures to install

Cons of Copper Kitchen Sinks

• May dent easily, especially thin-gauge copper
• Are harder to maintain than most sinks when a bright finish is maintained
• Are among the most expensive sink types

​Price of Copper Kitchen Sinks
You get what you pay for in copper sinks in terms of quality and beauty. Keep in mind too that cheap copper sinks might be produced in countries without strict standards and might contain lead.

• Starting price for copper kitchen sinks: About $150
• Price range for most copper sinks: $350-$1,500
• Custom-made copper sink prices: $2,000-$4,500

Despite misconceptions, copper kitchen sinks are no more difficult to maintain than other common sink types. A well-made sink shouldn’t need any special maintenance beyond rinsing after use and occasional deep cleaning with soap and water.

Cast iron is one of the oldest materials used for kitchen sinks and is still very popular today. The cast iron sink has a bright, glossy enamel finish that definitely appeals to many homeowners and lasts for decades. So these sinks are made by casting iron. Since bare iron is extremely prone to rusting, cast iron sinks have a heavy porcelain enamel finish to keep the iron from rusting. If you were to strip the enamel off of a cast iron sink, it would have the same rough texture as a cast iron skillet.

Pros of Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks

• Is very durable and tough
• Won’t dent like cheaper gauges of stainless steel can
• Is non-porous, so resists staining, cleans very easily and wont’ harbor germs
• Isn’t harmed by harsh chemicals
• Resists scratches
• Retains heat, a plus when washing a large load of dishes by hand
• Handles high temperatures
• Is available in quite a few colors
• Won’t fade since the pigment is in the porcelain, not a coating on it
• Often includes up to 80% recycled or reclaimed iron

​Cons of Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks

• Is quite heavy, so sinks must be installed with strong bracing and support
• Can chip if heavy objects are dropped on the porcelain
• Isn’t available in as many styles and choices as stainless steel
• Costs more than enameled steel
• Enameled steel substrata is prone to rusting quite quickly from below, and this will eventually ruin the sink if the seal around the countertop is not water-tight

​While cast iron sinks with a traditional look are still popular, many of the sinks currently available have a stylish, contemporary design. That means that you’ll find a cast iron or enameled steel sink to fit your kitchen.

As the name implies, these are sinks made from clay that have been fired at high temperatures to harden them and glazed to make them bright, beautiful and resistant to stains, germs and scratches. 

The process begins with the mining of fireclay (or fire clay), an argillaceous clay with very high heat resistance. The material is used as fire brick and to line furnaces. It is also made into metalworking crucibles, glassware and pottery.

Pros of Fireclay Kitchen Sinks:

• Are distinctive and stylish
• Feature a very tough, scratch-resistant glaze finish
• Have non-porous surface that resists stains and is easy to clean
• Stand up to harsh chemicals (though they’re not recommended for use in cleaning fireclay)
• Are tough and don’t chip easily
• Are built to last for 50+ years

Cons of Fireclay Kitchen Sinks:

• Are available in a more limited number of colors and styles than stainless steel and granite composite
• Are very hard, so dropped dishes and glasses will break more easily than if dropped in a stainless steel sink
• Are quite heavy, so extra support is required for installation
• Have an average cost higher than sinks crafted from most other materials

Installing Fireclay Sinks

This material is very heavy, so you’ll need additional support for the sink. The most secure way to provide it is with vertical supports that extend to the floor. Some sinks also require mounting to the wall.