Top 5 kitchen sink materials for your next renovation
They say the kitchen’s the heart of the home, but what’s the heart of the kitchen? We’d argue it’s the humble sink. It’s usually smack in the middle of the kitchen bench and it’s used for just about everything, from washing the dishes to rinsing veggies and filling up the kettle.
That’s why choosing a kitchen sink is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as part of any kitchen renovation – yours should be functional while complementing the design of your kitchen.
To help you make the right decision we’ve narrowed down our five favourite kitchen sink materials for your next reno.
1. Granite
If you want a sink that’s tough, durable and will last for generations – granite may be your best option. This heavy duty material won’t rust and it’s resistant to stains, scratches and heat.
And the best part? Buy a good brand like Shock and granite sinks can look incredible, elevating any kitchen design. The Shock range is available in attractive matte blacks, whites, greys and browns in a variety of configurations – from large double bowl sinks to compact single bowls with small drainer sinks. They look best in modern kitchens but because their design is so versatile they’ll suit almost any space.
2. Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a classic sink material, favoured by commercial kitchens and serious chefs for its durability, heat resistance and ease of cleaning. But that’s not all – stainless steel sinks have come a long way recently and are now available in a number of attractive designs.
You could go for a simple, stripped back design like the entry single bowl – perfect for rental properties, flats and simple kitchen designs. Or alternatively you could choose something more modern and minimal, like the Italian designed and manufactured Barazza R15 double bowl.
3. Coloured stainless steel
Stainless steel’s cool – but how about coloured stainless steel? This is the perfect sink material when you want the durability and toughness of stainless steel but with a little extra modern design flair.
Coloured stainless steel comes in a wide variety of attractive colours from artisan copper, to black pearl and eureka gold (perfect if you really want to make a statement). Our personal favourite option is the Piazza double square bowl in artisan copper, which features two handy drain trays that sit on the sinks for drying dishes.
4. Ceramic fireclay
When it comes to old-world class, elegance and practicality it’s hard to beat ceramic fireclay. This material is made of liquid ceramic that’s been heated with fire and glazed to create a material that’s incredibly smooth and hard wearing.
Our personal favourite brand of fireclay sinks is Chambord – a classically French brand featuring art deco designs and hand finished details. For a refined but rustic farmhouse look we love the Chambord Henri bowl, featuring one large sink and a smaller bowl in a beautiful glossy white.
5. Marine-grade stainless steel
We’ve already featured stainless steel on this list twice, but hear us out. If you’re renovating or building an outdoor kitchen there’s no better material than marine-grade 316 stainless steel, built specifically to last in outdoor environments – including those that come into contact with sea water.
They may be built for outside but these marine-grade stainless steel sinks still look great. Our pick is the Alfresco 700 large bowl sink with drain tray and pull out kitchen mixer – a package which features everything you need for a great outdoor sink.
Ready to start your next kitchen reno? Browse our full range of sinks in person at an Abey Australia Selection Gallery near you.