The sink is one of the defining features of a kitchen. As a station for rinsing ingredients, cleaning dishes, and preparing meals, choosing the right sink affects nearly every activity you do in the kitchen. However, with a wide array of materials, styles, and features available, finding the perfect option can feel like a daunting task. To make the decision easier, let’s break the available kitchen sinks and faucets into good, better, and best categories.
At Lamont Bros. Design & Construction, we specialize in custom home remodeling solutions that enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of our clients’ homes. Having worked with hundreds of homeowners across the Portland Metro Area, we’ve helped people just like you navigate the process of selecting sinks and faucets that not only look exceptional but also meet their practical needs.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different kitchen sinks and faucets available, breaking them down into good, better, and best categories. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the various materials, designs, and features that define each category. With that information, you can identify which options will best fit within your kitchen renovation project. The specific products and features we’ll cover include:
- Good: Stainless Steel Sinks, Chrome & Stainless Faucets
- Better: Granite Composite Sinks, Nickel & Bronze Faucets
- Best: Enameled Cast Iron & Fireclay Sinks, Specialty Finish Faucets
Good: Stainless Steel Sinks, Chrome & Stainless Faucets
The “Good” category serves as an excellent starting point for homeowners prioritizing practicality and affordability without compromising on quality. In this tier, the focus is on finding durable, easy-to-maintain solutions that fit within a modest budget. These options are designed to meet the everyday needs of a bustling kitchen. Functionality and simplicity are the primary focus.
Stainless Steel Sinks
Stainless steel is a versatile and durable alloy of iron and chromium. Its chromium content, typically at least 10.5%, forms a thin layer of chromium oxide on the surface. This layer is what makes stainless steel “stainless,” providing a high level of resistance to rust, corrosion, and staining.
Stainless steel sinks are a cornerstone of kitchen design, offering a balance between durability, ease of maintenance, and cost. These sinks come in several configurations, including top-mount and undermount, as well as options for single or double basins.
Advantages:
Durability: Made to withstand daily use, stainless steel is resistant to scratches, dents, and stains, ensuring longevity and continuous appeal.
Maintenance: The non-porous nature of stainless steel makes it easy to clean and disinfect, a crucial feature for kitchen sinks. Its antimicrobial properties add an extra layer of hygiene, making it a practical choice for food preparation areas.
Cost-Effectiveness: Stainless steel sinks offer a high-quality option without the premium price tag. Their affordability makes them accessible for a wide range of budgets, providing good value for the investment.
Challenges:
Noise: Without proper insulation, stainless steel sinks can be noisy, especially when coming into contact with hard objects like pots and utensils. This can be mitigated with sound-absorbing pads or coatings.
Appearance Maintenance: While stainless steel has a sleek, modern look, it can show water spots and fingerprints more readily than some other materials, requiring regular cleaning to keep it looking its best.
Depth: Most stainless steel sink products are limited in terms of available sink depth. The standard depth for sinks in this category is about 8 inches.
Kitchen Faucets for Good Tier
In the “Good” category, kitchen faucets are primarily available in chrome and stainless steel finishes. These materials are chosen for their lasting performance and ease of cleaning.
The faucets often feature simple, ergonomic designs, including pull-down spray nozzles and single-handle operation. These features can be a functional and stylish addition to any kitchen setup.
Better: Granite Composite Sinks, Nickel & Bronze Faucets
This tier introduces mid-range options that offer a significant upgrade in both style and performance without a steep price increase. Here, the emphasis shifts slightly towards incorporating design elements that reflect personal taste, while still maintaining a strong commitment to durability and practicality.
Granite Composite Sinks
Granite composite sinks are crafted from a mixture of granite stone dust and acrylic resins, creating a sturdy and more aesthetic option for the kitchen. These sinks stand out for their ability to combine the visual appeal of natural stone with the functional benefits of modern materials.
Advantages:
Aesthetic Appeal: Granite composite offers a rich, textured look that can mimic natural stone, adding an element of luxury to the kitchen without the high cost or maintenance requirements of natural materials.
Durability: Exceptionally resistant to scratches, chips, and high temperatures, granite composite sinks are built to handle the rigors of everyday kitchen use while retaining their visual appeal.
Multiple Color Options: Granite composite sinks offer a range of colors, including an array of options in whites, grays, browns, and blacks. This feature may appeal to homeowners looking to match their sink with a specific color scheme in the kitchen.
Challenges:
Weight: Granite composite sinks are significantly heavier than their stainless steel counterparts, requiring stronger cabinet and counter support structures. This requires more time for installation and may increase additional material costs, as well.
Cost: While more affordable than premium materials, granite composite sinks represent a higher investment compared to basic stainless steel options.
Susceptibility to Hard Water Stains: If your home has hard water, granite composite sinks can show water spots more prominently. This means they may require more frequent cleaning or special care to maintain their appearance in areas with hard water.
Kitchen Faucets for Better Tier
In the “Better” tier, kitchen faucets expand into more diverse finishes, including brushed or polished nickel and oil-rubbed bronze. These finishes offer homeowners the opportunity to match their faucets more closely with the overall design aesthetic of their kitchen.
Brushed and Polished Nickel: These finishes provide a warm, subtle luster that complements a wide range of sink materials and kitchen styles. Nickel finishes are known for their durability and relatively easy maintenance, making them a popular choice for busy kitchens.
Oil-Rubbed Bronze: Offering a distinctive, traditional appearance, oil-rubbed bronze faucets add a touch of timeless elegance. This finish works well for kitchens with a classic or rustic design theme. However, it requires more careful maintenance to preserve its unique patina.
Best: Enameled Cast Iron & Fireclay Sinks, Specialty Finish Faucets
The “Best” category offers the ultimate in luxury and customization. This tier is for homeowners who desire the highest quality materials, unmatched customizability, and unique aesthetics that make a statement. The focus of this category is on premium materials that offer timeless beauty and state-of-the-art functionality.
Enameled Cast Iron Sinks
Enameled cast iron sinks are celebrated for their classic elegance and extraordinary durability. These sinks are made by casting iron in a mold and then coating it with a porcelain enamel surface, creating a glossy, hard finish that is both beautiful and resilient.
Advantages:
Timeless Beauty: Enameled cast iron sinks come in a variety of colors and styles, including the popular farmhouse apron front. It offers a timeless appeal that can complement any kitchen design from traditional to contemporary.
Exceptional Durability: These sinks are incredibly durable, resistant to chips, scratches, and stains, and can last for decades with proper care.
Easy Maintenance: The glossy enamel finish makes these sinks easy to clean and resistant to staining from food and liquids, maintaining their pristine appearance over time.
Challenges:
Weight: Enameled cast iron sinks are extremely heavy, requiring reinforced cabinetry for proper installation. This may limit their suitability for some kitchen designs or necessitate additional remodeling work.
Cost: As premium options, enameled cast iron sinks come with a higher price tag, reflecting their quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Potential for Chipping: While highly durable, the enamel finish can chip if struck with significant force, potentially exposing the cast iron beneath. This requires careful handling and maintenance to preserve the sink’s appearance.
Fireclay Sinks
Fireclay sinks are fashioned from clay fired at extremely high temperatures, resulting in a sturdy material with a lustrous finish that mimics the look of enameled cast iron but offers its own unique set of benefits and challenges. Because it is clay, fireclay can be molded into different shapes and designs more easily than other materials.
Advantages:
Visual Appeal: Fireclay offers a glossy finish that enhances the kitchen’s aesthetics, making it a favorable choice for those looking for elegance and style.
Durability: Its resistance to scratching, chipping, and staining ensures that fireclay remains a beautiful centerpiece in the kitchen for years.
Easy to Clean: The non-porous surface simplifies cleaning, making fireclay sinks practical for everyday use while maintaining hygienic food preparation areas.
Challenges:
Weight and Installation Considerations: Similar to enameled cast iron, fireclay sinks are heavy and require sturdy support, which may complicate installation.
High Investment: While they offer significant benefits, fireclay sinks come at a higher cost, reflecting their quality and design appeal.
Susceptibility to Damage: Although durable, fireclay is still more prone to damage than metal or stone sinks, requiring careful installation and handling.
Kitchen Faucets for Best Tier
In the “Best” category, faucets are not just functional pieces but works of art, available in an array of specialty finishes such as black, brass, brushed gold, and more. These finishes allow for the personalization of the kitchen space with faucets that can serve as extensions of the homeowner’s style.
Specialty Finishes: Offering unique and often custom options, these finishes add a luxurious touch to the kitchen, elevating the entire design.
Advanced Features: Faucets in this tier may include touch activation, pot fillers, and dedicated beverage faucets, combining aesthetic beauty with the latest in kitchen technology.
Want To Find More Kitchen Design Inspiration?
Now that you have a better understanding of the different sinks available, do you know which one might be best for your kitchen? Now, continue your research by heading over to our Kitchen Portfolio. There, you’ll find photos from past projects we’ve completed, which you can use to gather inspiration for your upcoming remodel.
Think it’s time to talk directly with a remodeling professional? If so, click the button below to schedule a free design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll guide you through the remodeling process from start to finish, so you never have to face the challenges of remodeling alone.