subject: Cast iron kitchen sinks [print this page] Cast iron kitchen sinks Cast iron kitchen sinks
Cast iron kitchen sinks gain the next position to stainless steel sinks in terms of popularity. These sinks are durable, heavy, easily maintained and offer the special attraction which you will not get in stainless steel sinks, the variety of color. Cast iron was most widely used material for sinks in the last century till stainless steel replaced them gradually.
Cast iron is an alloy metal consisting of 95% or more iron, 2.1%-4% and 1%-3% silicon. Cast iron is brittle but when refined to use in sinks last for long years if you maintain them properly. A porcelain coating is laid over the cast iron, known as enamel', when used in making sinks. This enamel coat comes in various colors and protects the cast iron sink from scratch, corrosion, and breakage. This enamel coat is what we see when look at the sinks and they render the colorful glossy appearance to the basin. This layer if broken, underlying layer of cast iron will be damaged.
Cast iron kitchen sinks have both plus points and drawbacks. These sinks are made up of heavy material and glossy coating, so they protected from cracking and denting. They have long durability and serve your kitchen throughout whole life if you maintain properly. The enamel coat comes in abundant colors apart from white and black and has appealing finish. The glossy surface does not get water spots or stain and easy to maintain.
However, the enamel coating may get damaged by abrasive material, harsh detergents and eventually become porous, holds stains and corrodes. Gradually, underlying layer of cast iron will be exposed and once the layer is open, the sink is no safer to use. The exposed cast iron layer will corrode and break up easily by the harsh action of cleaners, forceful bang up by heavy utensils etc. the method of installing under-mount sinks require many aids due to their heavy weight.
You will get variations in the color, bowl or basin number, flat rim or self-rim, and under-counter or over-mounting style of the cast iron kitchen sinks. Over or top-counter sinks are easier to install than the under-counter sinks. Kohler and CECO are two famous companies who have different specialized cast iron sink designs for various needs. You must check the faucet-hole position and number before buying a cast iron sink, because it is not easy to drill the sink after installing. Get the holes done by some expert before installing them.
