Exploring the cast iron material for your sink

When designing a kitchen or bathroom, choosing a sink is one of the hardest decisions. You need to keep in mind what compliments with the sink, what will fit in it, and how much room it will take. Although there are many materials to choose from for the sink, we look at the cast iron material as our focus.

Cast iron sinks are making a steady come back, but what makes it better than a contemporary sink?

Compared to acrylic and stainless steel sinks, cast iron is large and heavy. This is due to the iron infused with the enamel of the sink itself. Cast iron lasts longer and can handle rougher situations when in use. In comparison to other materials, we see that acrylic sinks, for example, feel non-metallic and are more prone to damage. Stainless steel is more susceptible to permanent water spots and denting.

Cast iron sinks arguably are without fault. When the enamel covering of the sink is chipped off, this exposes the iron inside to oxygen and will cause rusting. Weighing about 90 to 100 pounds, the sink is considerably heavy along side acrylic and stainless steel sinks.

How is cast iron different than sinks made in other materials? Cast iron has an almost unbreakable quality to it, which feels very sturdy to the touch. Acrylic appears and feels rubbery.

Cast iron sinks combine the best of both worlds, because of the feel and density the material gives. The top enamel layer is “baked-on”, which adds a glossy aesthetic appeal to the sink, and will enhance the décor of the kitchen or bathroom.

Although the durability of cast iron does not compare to stainless steel material, we realize that not everyone enjoys the sanitary and almost industrial appearance of stainless steel. The tin like feel and vibrations created by the garbage disposal, regardless of the gauge or sound deadening measures used on stainless steel sinks, make it almost undesirable. That may explain the reason that enamel cast iron is making a comeback–it takes us back to childhood memories of the sinks and tubs we always saw in our parents or grandparents homes.

With proper care and maintenance you should have a beautiful shiny sink for many years to come.