Widely available, aesthetically diverse, easy to maintain, and readily affordable – it’s not hard to see why ceramic sinks are among the most common sights in kitchens all over the world. Of course, before you head out and buy a ceramic sink, it’s important to know what it brings to the table.
Creating a Ceramic Kitchen Sink
Ceramic sinks are made using a blend of clays, fillers, and fluxes that are mixed and fused together during the firing process. Due to the firing process and the natural materials used, no two ceramic sinks are ever 100% the same.
The materials and firing process used to create ceramic sinks can have a drastic effect on their durability. High fire clays and glazes that are heated to over 1200 °C (2200 °F) have very high resistance to fading, staining, burning, and scratching. They also prove tough against acids.
Low fire clays, on the other hand, are fired at temperatures below 1200 °C. While these sinks are still considerably durable and have an extremely low moisture absorbency, they are more susceptible to scratching as well as wear and tear due to aging.
Benefits
- As mentioned above, you can put a ceramic sink through a considerable amount of kitchen punishment. Although they are more sensitive to heat than other materials, you can place a hot pot or kettle on them with no problem. Also, unlike stainless steel sinks, you can’t put a dent in a ceramic sink.
- The most common look for a ceramic kitchen sink is gleaming white, but in reality they are also available in other colors. If you really want your sink to catch the eye, consider springing for a black or stone ceramic sink.
- Aside from being available in a relatively wide color palette which makes matching with your kitchen cabinets easy. These sinks also come in a whole host of different shapes and designs. You can find single, double, and even triple bowl ceramic sinks, and you can even have one custom designed.
- Ceramic sinks are usually fitted into kitchen counters seamlessly. There’s little space for dirt and grime to accumulate and their glazed surface makes it hard for stains to seep deep into the sink surface.
- Their impenetrable surface helps make ceramic kitchen sinks a breeze to clean using only basic all-purpose cleaning products. If your sink needs a deeper clean, wipe it down with a diluted bleach or vinegar solution.
Disadvantages
- You can’t dent a ceramic kitchen sink, but you can chip and crack it if you try hard enough. Once you compromise the glaze, the chipped area’s immediate surroundings can quickly turn discolored.
- Ceramic kitchen sinks are tough, which means that if you drop a plate or glass in one then chances are you’re going to have to find replacements for them. Fitting your sink with a removable sink mat can help minimize the chance of broken glasses and plates.
- If an environmentally friendly sink is what you’re looking for, then a ceramic sink isn’t the best choice. Its base materials are mined from the earth and the manufacturing process consumes a lot of energy, making ceramic sinks less of a sustainable alternative compared to other kitchen sink types. One somewhat green thing that ceramic kitchen sinks have going for them, though, is that they are usually downcycled. Broken ceramic sinks are ground into a fine powder and then used to make other ceramic products.
Space Considerations
Have you decided that a ceramic kitchen sink will make for the perfect addition to your kitchen? To maximize efficiency and space, make sure that the countertop you will be installing the sink on has 36 inches of space to one side of the sink and at least 18 inches on the other.