Corian? Kohler? American Standard? Maybe the company that manufactured your sink doesn’t matter as much as the material your sink was made from. This was the conclusion of extensive testing by Consumer Reports (source).
The 10 best bathroom sink materials are enameled cast iron, fireclay, vitreous china or porcelain, steel, composite and natural stones, copper, glass, solid surface, and acrylic.
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However, these bathroom sink materials vary greatly in cost, durability, and ease of cleaning or maintenance, which is why it’s important to consider pros and cons of each.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the best bathroom sink materials:
Acrylic bathroom sinks are made of solid plastic, usually backed or reinforced with fiberglass and resin. A lighter and more affordable alternative to most other bathroom sink materials, acrylic is moldable into different forms, which paves the way for various designs and styles.
Acrylic isn’t ideal for kitchens because it isn’t as heavy-duty as some other materials, but these sinks are undoubtedly suitable for bathrooms.
Plus, acrylic sinks are easy to maintain as long as you don’t drop heavy and sharp objects and use abrasive materials. An acrylic sink may also be less noisy as the material can absorb some sound, which can be quite a pleasant attribute if it is in an ensuite bathroom.
On the flip side, an acrylic sink won’t endure heat to the extent of some other materials, so don’t accidentally leave a hot curling iron on your bathroom sink.
Acrylic Bathroom Sink ProsAcrylic Bathroom Sink Cons AffordableNot the most durable Antibacterial and antimicrobialNot very resistant to heat Nonporous and stain-resistant Stylish designs
A composite stone bathroom sink is an affordable and practical alternative to its natural version. Composite stone sinks can be made of a mixture of resins and the following ground stones.
Composite granite and quartz bathroom sinks, among others, are often better than natural stone because the design and engineering make the finished product nonporous and more resistant to many substances. Also, engineered stone can have many more features than a natural variant.
Composite stone bathroom sinks are an affordable alternative to natural stones.
Composite Stone Bathroom Sink ProsComposite Stone Bathroom Sink Cons Aesthetically pleasingDifficult to install Durable and resistant to chippingHeavy (reinforcements are usually necessary) Nonporous (compared to natural stones)Not resistant to abrasive chemicals or sponges Resistant to most stainsPeriodic maintenance is typically required
Copper bathroom sinks are a showstopper. Exceptionally elegant and unique among bathroom sink materials, copper does require some maintenance. But copper sinks are expensive, so the material may not be an option if your budget is stringent.
Copper bathroom sinks are available in various styles, but they must be adequately rinsed every time because many substances can adversely affect the natural patina of this metal, including the following:
Also, copper isn’t an option for you if you are looking for one of the best bathroom sink materials for hard water. The dissolved minerals in hard water may stain copper, and a substantial buildup in due course may be difficult to clean and remove.
Copper Bathroom Sink ProsCopper Bathroom Sink Cons AntimicrobialExpensive Corrosion-resistantNot resistant to many foods and products Long-lastingNot suitable for hard water NonporousRequires regular maintenance Rust-proof Unmatched aesthetics
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Enameled cast iron combines porcelain’s resistance to staining and the durability of a metal that can otherwise rust quickly as a sink material. Enameled cast iron bathroom sinks are inexpensive, but they can last a lifetime and often longer with little care.
Enameled cast iron offers all the benefits of fireclay and porcelain or vitreous china. However, a bathroom sink made of cast iron with an enamel coating is much heavier than one made of only fireclay or porcelain. You may need a suitable foundation to mount an enameled cast iron bathroom sink.
On the positive side, enameled cast iron is cheaper than fireclay, but the latter isn’t as prone to chipping. The enamel layer over cast iron may get chipped or damaged if you use an abrasive cleaner. Also, exposed iron will rust, so you must be watchful for preventive and remedial action.
Enameled Cast Iron Bathroom Sink ProsEnameled Cast Iron Bathroom Sink Cons AffordableHeavy and difficult to install Exceptional durabilityProne to chipping Simple cleaning and maintenanceVulnerable to rust Various sizes and styles
Fireclay is the strongest ceramic material used for bathroom sinks. Not as common as porcelain or vitreous china, fireclay is stronger and, thus, costlier and more durable. Clay and minerals are fired at temperatures higher than that used to make porcelain, which is why fireclay is stronger.
Fireclay sinks are glazed to be reliably nonporous.
Fireclay Bathroom Sink ProsFireclay Bathroom Sink Cons Easy cleaning and maintenanceCostlier than porcelain and enameled cast iron Exceptional durabilityHeavy, so reinforcements may be necessary Resistant to abrasive cleaners and acidsLimited styles, including colors Rust-proof
Bathroom sinks made of solid tempered or toughened glass are available in numerous designs and styles, including colors. You may get a minimalist design, like a bowl, or opt for an exquisite sink that becomes a highlight in your bathroom. Also, you can choose between transparent and opaque glass sinks for your bathrooms to suit any decor you want.
Toughened glass is nonporous with high resistance to heat, so the hot water line for your bath sink won’t have any adverse effect. Tempered glass doesn’t crack easily, but you can’t drop any heavy object or strike such material. Like many materials, glass will break if you drop the sink.
Glass Bathroom Sink ProsGlass Bathroom Sink Cons AffordableHeavy objects can damage tempered glass Easy to cleanNot resistant to soap and water spots Light, so installation is usually straightforwardTypically available as vessel sink only Stylish and plenty of designs, sizes, etc.
A natural stone sink can be the singularly most attractive fixture in your bathroom. Subject to the type of stone you choose, the sink can be truly unique and an investment that may last forever. But like most materials, natural stone has a few noteworthy demerits that are worth considering.
Natural stone is vulnerable to staining. Almost every natural stone bathroom sink is sealed to be resistant to stains. Periodic resealing is necessary. Also, you can’t use any abrasive cleaner for the sink or the drain. Caustic chemicals will damage natural stones and the protective seal.
Natural stones are unquestionably durable, but most are vulnerable to chipping. Given the high cost of all-natural stone sinks, the last thing you want is a chipped or damaged portion. Plus, all-natural stones are heavier than most other materials, so installation is somewhat demanding.
Natural Stone Bathroom Sink ProsNatural Stone Bathroom Sink Cons DurableExpensive ElegantHeavy QuietProne to staining UniqueResealing is necessary
A solid surface bathroom sink is made of a composite material. While acrylic may be classified as a solid surface sink, there are other varieties, so I have separated the two types of materials in this guide.
Solid surface bathroom sinks may comprise the following materials:
Owing to the composite nature of solid surface sinks and how they are made, there is no dearth of shapes and styles. Such composite materials also make for sleeker sinks without any effect on durability.
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A solid surface bathroom sink is not even remotely as expensive as stone, but it can be equally quiet due to its construction. Unlike natural stone, solid surface sinks aren’t heavy or vulnerable to chipping and staining. Solid surface sinks are also resistant to scratching.
These sinks are effortless to clean and maintain, especially because they are so durable and most have protective coatings. Plus, unlike porcelain and glass, most solid surface materials don’t crack and shatter, unlike porcelain and glass, respectively.
Solid Surface Bathroom Sink ProsSolid Surface Bathroom Sink Cons Easy cleaning and maintenanceModerately expensive Many sizes and stylesProfessional installation may be necessary Resistant to chipping and stainingNot compatible with every countertop Seamless aesthetics, subject to installation
Stainless steel bathroom sinks are among the most inexpensive options while being extremely durable. However, the aesthetics of stainless steel may not impress everyone, especially if the sink doesn’t complement the bathroom decor and other fixtures.
A stainless steel sink can have the desired gauge if you want a heavy-duty variant. The sleekest ones may be a little prone to dents. Some stainless steel sinks may be vulnerable to scratching, but it is more of a concern if you use one in your kitchen than in your bathrooms.
Stainless Steel Bathroom Sink ProsStainless Steel Bathroom Sink Cons AffordableLimited versatility Easy to cleanPeriodic polishing is usually necessary Heat-resistantSpots may develop in due course No cracking or chippingVulnerable to dents and scratching Resistant to stains
Vitreous china bathroom sinks are made of porcelain with a glossy finish. These sinks aren’t the same as fireclay because the porcelain composition may have the following materials:
Vitreous China Bathroom Sink ProsVitreous China Bathroom Sink Cons AffordableCoating may chip or crack Easy cleaning and maintenanceNot the strongest or most durable Plenty of sizes and stylesSome installations may need reinforcements Resistant to scratching and staining
Hard water can stain the following bathroom sink materials:
The best bathroom sink material for hard water is composite stone or solid surface. However, a composite stone or solid surface sink might require a bit more cleaning and maintenance due to hard water than what is necessary otherwise.
If you live in a rental property, the best bathroom sink material is probably acrylic or glass. Both are relatively lighter materials that don’t require complicated installations. You may not need any reinforcement, which might be an issue in a rental property, subject to the tenancy agreement.
If you own a rental property, you might want to opt for one of the most durable sink materials for the bathrooms, such as:
You may also want to check our post on the best bathtubs for rental properties and the best bathroom tile for rental properties.
Is ease of cleaning a top priority for your sink? If so, here’s a head-to-head comparison of the 10 best bathroom sink materials for 2023, including the ease of cleaning:
Bathroom Sink MaterialCostDurabilityEase of Cleaning AcrylicInexpensiveDurableEasy Composite StoneMid-rangeVery durableEasy CopperExpensiveVery durableModerate Enameled Cast IronInexpensiveVery durableEasy FireclayMid-rangeVery durableEasy GlassMid-rangeDurableModerate Natural StoneExpensiveVery durableModerate Solid SurfaceMid-rangeVery durableEasy Stainless SteelInexpensiveVery durableEasy Vitreous ChinaInexpensiveDurableEasy
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Tags: Acrylic Bathroom Sink, Best Bathroom Sink Materials, Composite Stone Bathroom Sink, copper sinks, enameled cast iron sinks, glass bathroom sinks
Source: https://gardencourte.com
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