Kitchen sinks often provide a visual contrast - made from porcelain or stainless steel - with the countertop. However, granite and stone sinks, or Corian sinks, are designed to do the opposite, blending in with the countertop for a more streamlined look. While it's typically an afterthought, or one of the lesser-exciting aspects of Chicago kitchen remodeling, we bet your kitchen sink is one of your most used home fixtures. Period.
For this reason, the sink's function is every bit as important as it looks.
Popular Kitchen Sinks For Chicago Kitchen Remodeling
The following is a list of some of the more popular kitchen sink choices, along with their benefits and/or drawbacks. Meeting with a professional kitchen designer can help you select the sink that works best with your design, lifestyle and budget.
Granite Sinks (see above image). Also called stone sinks, or granite composite sinks, these are showing up more and more in new kitchen designs. They're made using granite pieces and a binding composite - typically 80% granite and 20% acrylic resin. They mesh well with natural stone countertops and are durable - resistant to scratching or chipping. Another bonus: don't show water spots, so they're great for home with hard water issues.
The downside: Because granite is a porous stone, sinks can stain over time, especially if you opt for lighter colors. They are only available in a matte finish, which can be a negative depending on your finish preferences.
Natural stone sinks. Sinks can be made from any stone a countertop is made from. It yields a streamlined look but it isn't always the best choice in terms of maintenance, unless you're a fan of soapstone. Other stones are too prone to chipping, cracking or staining for us to feel confident recommending them.
Cast-iron porcelain. These sinks are most often associated with farmhouse or traditional kitchen designs. The cast-iron core is tough, but the porcelain can be prone to staining, chipping or cracking with tough wear-and-tear.
Fireclay. If you like the look of a porcelain sink but worry about chipping - fireclay is your better option. They are clay-based, covered with a heavy-duty glaze and then fired at ultra-high temperatures. Fireclay sinks are very durable and easy to maintain. Most manufacturers make fireclay sinks using environmentally-responsible materials.
The only real drawback is that they're very heavy. Professional installation is recommended and your cabinetry might need to be reinforced to ensure it can accommodate the extra weight.
Stainless steel. This is one of the most versatile options on the market. A stainless steel kitchen sink can blend with a range of materials and is incredibly durable. Unless you simply don't like the look of stainless steel, it's always a safe bet.
Stainless steel can scratch, but a bottom grid - wire tray - can be placed on the bottom to prevent this, and most scratches are easily buffed out. Also, hard water can leave water spots.
Meet with the design team here at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited to narrow the sink selections for your Chicago kitchen remodeling project.
Image Credit: Houzz.com
