Cast Iron or Vitreous China Sink? Which Would You Choose?
Rareindigo
11 years ago
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kmcg
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Fireclay vs/ enamel cast iron farm sink
Comments (2)Durable? Cast iron. Well, stainless even more because it's impossible to chip, though fireclay and cast iron are less likely to scratch. Fireclay is great stuff, but less precise. You should have it on site before fitting the cabinet, etc., because there is variation in the size. If you tighten the flange on the disposer too tight you can crack the sink. And it's the easiest to chip. But fireclay is even harder than vitreous china, and really nice to touch. It's hard to stain, and stains can be treated with a little bleach. Glass enamel on cast iron, which most cast iron sinks are nowadays, is fired very hot so it's extra hard to stain. It can be chipped, but you'd pretty much have to drop something like a big cast iron frying pan edge on to do it. It's very hard to scratch. If the iron cracks it's because of a terrible fault in manufacturing and likely the company will replace it (I've never heard of a crack in the iron happening except when people have tried refiring it, but it is theoretically possible). It's a no fuss, no care, kind of sink. Stainless can get water spots and smudges, depending on the age and finish. It develops microscratches that become an all over patina. Many come in brushed finish which is basically a head start on that. It won't ever crack (well, maybe if you're at the epicenter of an earthquake right when you're giving it a thermal shock...). It can be stained, but the stains can be worked off. Molded glass doesn't make a good kitchen sink. The three materials you mentioned are all good....See MoreScratch on Kohler cast iron apron front sink
Comments (8)Thank you, everyone. We are meeting with the builder tomorrow and I am going to do that "point and ask." I want to hear their suggestions and remedies. My biggest problem now is that I doubt I can get another granite slab to replace this countertop if anything happens while trying to put in a new sink. We picked 2 consecutive numbered slabs for the kitchen after we looked at all the others in the lot. The 2 we picked were very well matched in color tone and movement but the others all looked a bit off from what we wanted. Advertguy, it isn't a dent, but a scratch in the glazing and I can feel it by running my fingernails across the surface. I will have to say that the plumber was definitely not superman but had a super big gut. The picture I have is of him leaning across the sink to adjust the pull out on the faucet and then swiveling to reach a tool. It's putting a shiver up my spine just thinking about it....See MoreKitchen sink: SS or Cast iron?
Comments (19)OK...I'll answer as best I can long distance... For reference, I have the Ticor S405D with the small bowl on the right & the Kohler K-3345 (5-sided sink). Please can you tell me which one you prefer? Ans: I like them both for both the quality and look...the Kohler may be a little "shinier", but I have no preference for one over the other. However, I do prefer the Ticor sink grids to the Kohler sink grid. The Kohler sink grid only comes w/a vinyl-coated grid in white or almond. After a year the grid is somewhat stained. It's the sink I use for prep...fruits, veggies, etc. Berries & tomato products seem to stain the most. The Ticor grids, OTOH, are SS and look as good as the day I got them! (I called Kohler directly and they told me there were no SS grids available for my sink.) Which one is easier to keep clean? Ans: They're the same...maybe the Kohler b/c it's smaller and there's no divider to wipe down...but it's a trivial difference IMHO! Do they leave a small puddle after rinsing? Ans: No, neither do. I do seem to have "chase" scraps a little more in the Kohler so it may have a slightly less slope than the Ticor, but there's still no puddling of water. Do they have the same brushed finish?. Ans: No, there is a slight difference. What it is, I don't know right now. When I first got them both together I did do a quick check b/c I was concerned the Ticor would look less nice than the Kohler, but they both look nice, just slightly different. But, no one else notices & my DH thinks I'm crazy! The brush of Ticor goes horizontal or vertical at the bottom? Ans: I don't remember....I'll have to check when I get home...sorry! Does Ticor have the mirror finish on the top of the rim? Ans: Yes If yes, that mirror finish is only on the rim around the bowls (like Kohler) or also on the divider (like Franke). Ans: On the divider as well. HTH!...See MoreBacksplash for vitreous china vanity top?
Comments (13)Marble can stain and etch easily, so be sure whether you want to baby it before you decide if you want the real thing. There are plenty of porcelain tiles made to look like marble or even onyx that are available that don't have that issue. They come in large size tiles, too and will give you the seamless look. Even a backsplash can get splattered with mouthwash or shaving cream, which can etch the finish on marble. If you want to buy tile, why not look at tile stores? Why shop at Pinterest? Jump into The Tile Shop online store if you have their brick and morter store near you. It is a place to start where you can see the tile in person after looking at it online. If you don't mind buying online, there are a lot of stores that you can get a sample tile from online, then buy the tile online from them if you like it. Your third option is to get in the car and go shopping. Some tile stores cater to the designers and decorators and have very limited evening and weekend hours, so check out who carries lines you like and make sure you know when they close when you plan out your day....See Morewritersblock (9b/10a)
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11 years agoJudith Oleary
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