In most homes, kitchen or bathroom sinks cannot escape daily wear and tear. Sinks are also often located in the main focal area of the home. These two factors combine to make choosing the right sink material for your home critical. In today’s post, our experts discuss the characteristics of porcelain vs. stainless steel sinks and answer sink material FAQs.
Looking for a high-quality sink? Browse our sink options today or contact us online with any questions you may have.
Porcelain Sink Vs. Stainless Steel Sink
Kitchen and bathroom sinks need to be durable and easy to clean – not to mention, easy on the eyes. Sink options such as composite sinks, porcelain sinks and stainless steel sinks all bring a unique set of attributes to the table (or counter, if you prefer). The best sink material for your home depends on your needs, budget and design style.
Let’s take a look at porcelain versus stainless steel sinks.
Porcelain Sink Properties
Porcelain sinks are a timeless classic. The look of this man-made material is easily customizable. While more common in bathroom settings, options like our Farmhouse Sink can turn any kitchen into a farmhouse style dream. Read on to learn more about porcelain sinks.
What are the benefits of porcelain sinks?
Porcelain is a popular sink material for many reasons. The following are the advantages of installing a porcelain sink in your home.
Versatility – Because of its man-made nature, porcelain sinks can be made with patterns or colored glazes that are not found in nature. Of course, the classic white porcelain sink will never go out of style.
Durability – Porcelain sinks are very durable and stand up to daily wear and tear, but care should be taken not to drop heavy objects into the sink.
Heat and cold resistant – Porcelain is made of high-density clay that is fired at extremely high temperatures. The result is a very durable material that can withstand extreme temperatures, including hot and cold.
Easy to clean – This is very important. Thanks to the glaze applied to the porcelain, these sinks are smooth and non-porous, making them easy to clean and maintain.
What are the disadvantages of porcelain sinks?
All materials have their disadvantages, and porcelain is no exception. The following are the disadvantages of porcelain.
Chipping – Because it is a very hard, dense material, porcelain can chip, especially when heavy objects are dropped on it. That said, you can always refurbish your sink to repair such damage.
Weight – porcelain sinks can be on the heavy side, complicated to install and may require brackets to be installed.
Be careful with cleaning products – harsh chemicals such as bleach can damage the finish of a porcelain sink. Always check with the manufacturer to ensure that cleaning products are safe to use on your sink.
Will porcelain sinks stain?
Porcelain sinks are more likely to stain than stainless steel sinks. In the kitchen, certain types of food and spills should be wiped up immediately and cleaned thoroughly. In the bathroom, cosmetics are often the culprit, so always be aware of what is missed. As with all surface materials, a little proactive care and maintenance can go a long way.
How long do porcelain sinks last?
The average lifespan of a porcelain sink is 20-25 years. While all materials wear out over time, porcelain sinks can be refinished to keep them looking new and gorgeous for decades.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
It’s all there – stainless steel sinks are popular in high-traffic kitchens for their durability, stain resistance and sanitary properties. Let’s dive in to learn more.
What are the benefits of stainless steel sinks?
Stainless steel sinks are very popular in both home and commercial settings. The reasons are as follows.
Durability – stainless steel sinks can look like new for decades, even with daily wear, and quality stainless steel will not dent easily, even when heavier items are dropped into it (although it’s always wise to err on the side of caution).
Easy to design – Stainless steel sinks are typically gray and silver in color, making them a neutral design element that matches the surrounding color and/or other stainless steel kitchen appliances.
Easy to clean and maintain – stainless steel sinks are virtually stain-free (hence the name) and they are easy to clean and maintain over time.
Environmentally friendly – Stainless steel sinks are highly recyclable, which makes them a great choice for sustainability.
What are the disadvantages of stainless steel sinks?
No one is perfect, and neither are stainless steel sinks (although they do come pretty close). The following are the disadvantages of choosing a stainless steel sink.
Noise levels – This tends to be a problem with thinner, lower quality stainless steel sinks, but the material is susceptible to bumps and clicks. This problem can be solved by installing acoustic pads and/or purchasing a sink with a good paint job.
Lack of Variety – Stainless steel sinks are limited to their distinctive steel gray color, which may or may not be a problem depending on your design aesthetic.
What is the best grade of stainless steel sink?
Grade-304 is considered the best grade of stainless steel, which is why we use it in products such as the Single Bowl Sink.
Do stainless steel sinks scratch?
While they are unlikely to chip or crack, even with extreme wear and tear, stainless steel sinks can be easily scratched. Be careful when putting hard objects into your sink and avoid harsh cleaning products such as steel wool and pacifiers.
Select for kitchen sinks at Chica Dragon
Our team is committed to providing the best materials on the market. Browse our range of granite composite sinks or stainless steel sinks today. You can also ask Chica any questions, comments or concerns you may have – our team is always happy to help.
