skip to main content

So are copper sinks the hot new trend?

bluekitobsessed

15 years ago

I've lost count now, but 6 posts in the last month or so? Have these always been around (small but ardent minority) or are these a hot new trend? I'm not planning on swapping out my beautiful Shaw's sink but if I were doing another kitchen in another house I'd look real hard...copper backsplashes, countertops too?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

paso
15 years ago
Well, I love those copper sinks, but although DH says that it is fine, my KD and friend who is very knowledgeable about metals, says that I should think twice. I've seen beautiful kitchens w/copper sinks on the GW and I have not been able to find an alternative sink that I can live with....so very confused. I guess many say that the upkeep on copper is time consuming and an effort, but some stainless sinks are that way also. What is the typical sink base for an very high end sink...I can't find any at 30", but I find several at 33" no matter what kind of sink. I was hoping for a 30" sink cabinet, but maybe that is not the norm.
0
flyingcarrot
15 years ago
New member here! Hello to all! I have a year old full size hammered copper sink in our bar/kitchenette and it's no trouble at all. It's kinda noisy like a SS sink, but no upkeep to speak of. Perhaps some people need to polish the copper? Yikes...not me. It's beautiful as is with natural variations. The one complaint I have is that it's hard to tell if food is rinsed completely due to dark, hammered surface. I know that copper is anti-bacterial surface, so that's good, but without a light surface, I can never tell if it's thoroughly cleaned. Hope this helps.
0
Related Discussions
Hot patina techniques for copper countertop
Q
Comments (1)
The patina effect can be accomplished in many ways from heat to acids to commercial products, to simply leaving it out in the rain or baking it in the sun with household chemicals, using vinegar, pickles, salt, you name it. Watercolors and inks can be used too, but obviously those aren't true patinas. Be careful mixing chemicals, bases, and acids. For example, if using ammonia, don't mix with bleach. Heating chemicals can also increase an effect but may also release poisonous fumes, so ventilate well. Get the mindset to be patient, go slow and don't overdo it with the patinas. Know that the weather of the day will affect the heating and patina effects so a cold humid day may yield different coloring than a warm dry day vs a warm humid day vs a cold dry day. Wind blowing, ventilation fans running,... you get the idea. If using a propane, oxy/propane, or oxy/acetylene torch on the metal don't spend too much time in one place, and if already installed, move around a lot to avoid burning the surface underneath. I suggest laying the copper out on a temporary frame OUTSIDE since patina chemicals can smell bad, release fumes, make a mess, etc.. then work your process. So, as you can imagine, there is no need to prop the copper - you can work it while horizontal or even after installation. Copper may warp so go easy on the heat but I doubt that will be of much concern at 24 gauge (16 oz). If you want to go crazy with the heat, find even thicker copper. While you're at it, work a second piece of copper at the same time for your ventahood, wallplates, sconces, or whatever, so they look similar in nature. Using the same chemicals and weather conditions can yield similar color variations in your work and tie it all together. Allow the copper to breathe for a day or two if shipped in to compensate for temp/himidity/weather and find out if you need to clean the copper if the manufacture put a protective spray on the copper or if plastic laminate protects the copper, peel it away before beginning your process. When you are ready to get started, try a test piece before you work on the full counter top so you can see how extensive the patina effect will be. Don't be afraid to experiment as all results will be unique. 0000 steel wool can be used to remove minor mistakes. When finished, if you don't seal the copper, the copper will continue to discolor and change over time, a very cool effect sometimes, but know too that some patina effects will wipe off if not protected.
...See More
Hot Water from Sinks Come so Slowly
Q
Comments (5)
Since it's a new house, the problem is likely in the shower cartridge or hot water supply lines. Plumbers are supposed to flush the pipes on a new home before installing the taps to remove construction debris and gunk from the municipal supply lines. Sometimes they forget. Remove and check the taps for clogs and damage. In our downtown, supply mains are up to 80 years old. Shut off the water for a couple of hours, then turn on the supply and you'll get a gush of brown liquid. (This same "green" city bans plastic water bottles in its city hall. ) Another less likely cause is that your hwt is undersized, so the inflow of new cold water soon dilutes the existing heated water.
...See More
under sink water softener for copper sink
Q
Comments (1)
Kara, There is not a softener that will fit under your sink that is worthwhile, besides you would need two as the hot water and the cold would need to be softened separately. Your choices are to get a whole house softener or two individual cartridge filters with activated carbon and filter media however, one must be rated for higher temps of the hot water which are considerably more $$. The filters may help on some items but for calcium and lime hardness a central softener is your only choice. The low end of your hardness isnÂt bad, but 10 ppm IÂm sure you will notice the spotting.
...See More
NEW Copper sink pic! Better, much better..pic
Q
Comments (12)
flwrs_n_co, those drips aren't lacquer, they're water. They wet the sink prior to taking the picture so you can get a better idea what it will look like when it is lacquered. Same thing you do to stone to mimic what it would look like enhanced. I know because I went through this process with my sink. They do the patina on the apron, then wet it down, take a picture and let you decide if you like it before they apply the lacquer.
...See More
oruboris
15 years ago
It's a bit of a trend, but still such a tiny portion of the market that they aren't going to automatically tie your kitchen to this decade.

In fact, my prediction is that they'll get a great deal more common over the next several years as people try to add some warmth to their iceberg color schemes.

I do think they are for people who can live with a bit of patina. Though some of the finishes available today are quite durable, copper by nature is a metal that changes over time, much more so than any other common sink material I can think of. So if you need a sink that looks like new after a few years with no effort on your part, look elsewhere.

But really: does anyone even WANT their copper to stay super bright and shiney? The dark finishes are intended to represent an antique, lived in appearence; and are far more common than the bright polished look.
0
allison0704
15 years ago
Oruboris said exactly what I was thinking. I would only add it's more common for those who don't want a kitchen screaming new.

As far as "new trend," I put in a large, single copper sink in our last home over eight years ago. I didn't know anyone else who had one - but then I didn't know about GW either!

I have three in this house - coffee station, laundry room and powder room. They tie in well with the feel I wanted for our home. Between the sinks, backsplashes, gutters and copper cupola, during construction my GC always teased me that the price of the penny was going to go up due to copper shortages.
0
cotehele
15 years ago
I think it is close to impossible to have a timeless kitchen. The warm look of copper fits nicely in some kitchens. Some things seem like a trend because they are not well known. Once we learn about them, they may become a classic rather than a trend. I have wondered, as copper is a softer metal, does it have dents from hard contact with heavy pots (cast iron)? In other words, I will drop a cast iron pot in the sink eventually :( It is those surprise or little tolerated changes over time that may cause something to fall out of fashion.

The KD I met with yesterday has not had any clients use a copper sink. Although, an acquaintance of his did not like that her copper sink blended in so much with the other kitchen materials. She wanted more contrast. That's just a personal preference, and not mine!
0

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Embrace a Hot Trend With a Kitchen Warming Drawer

By Rachel Grace

Serve food at just the right temperature with this increasingly popular appliance, coordinated to match your kitchen's style

KITCHEN DESIGN 2012 Trends: See What's Ahead in Kitchen Faucets and Fixtures

By Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC

Dark finishes, integrated drainboards and even hidden sinks are having their moment

KITCHEN DESIGN Try a Copper Sink for a Warm Glow in the Kitchen

By Rachel Grace

Bring polish and patina to your kitchen with a sink done in endlessly interesting copper

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Antibacterial Copper Gives Kitchens a Gleam

By Rachel Grace

If you want a classic sink material that rejects bacteria, babies your dishes and develops a patina, copper is for you

DECORATING GUIDES Hot Color Combo: Cool Blues and Warm Brass

By Laura Gaskill

It's trending all over, but navy or royal blue with brass or gold just also might become a new classic pairing

EVENTS Trends from the Front Lines of Furniture Design

By Matthew Ankeny

See what’s hot in furniture again through the designers’ offerings at the 2014 ICFF

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Copper Craze

By House of Earnest

When gold and silver feel too expected, go for accessories and tableware in rosy-toned copper

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Confidential: 9 Trends to Watch for in 2016

Two top interior designers share their predictions for the coming year

METAL Copper: A Traditional Metal Gets a Shiny Update

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Although the metal is no stranger to home design, these days its uses are downright brilliant

MOST POPULAR Trend Watch: 13 Kitchen Looks Expected to Be Big in 2015

By Natasha Saroca

3 designers share their thoughts on what looks, finishes and design elements will be on trend in the year ahead

Sponsored

John Romans Construction

1 Review

Franklin County's Full Service, Turn-Key Construction & Design Company

More Discussions

how accurate should a countertop template be?

6

Pendant Suggestions for updated kitchen

2

Countertop make over

0

Our first visit to a stone yard!

0

Question about cooktop and sink on same long counter run

3