Editing Sink (section)

== Materials ==
Sinks are made of many different materials. These include:<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
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* [[Ceramic]]
* [[Concrete]]
* [[Copper]]
* [[Vitreous enamel|Enamel]] over [[steel]] or [[cast iron]]
* [[Glass]]
* [[Granite]]
* [[Marble]]
* [[Nickel]]
* [[Plastic]]
* [[Polyester]]
* [[Porcelain]]
* [[Soapstone]]
* [[Stainless steel]]
* [[Rock (geology)|Stone]]
* [[Terrazzo]]
* [[Wood]]
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[[Stainless steel]] is most commonly used in kitchens and commercial applications because it represents a good [[trade-off]] between cost, usability, durability, and ease of cleaning.<ref>{{cite web|last1=M. Sadler|first1=Michael|title=Usage of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink|url=https://www.nivito.com/kitchen/kitchen-sink/cu-500-series.html?surface=brushed-steel&option=brushed-steel|website=www.nivito.com|access-date=28 February 2015|date=11 September 2010}}</ref> Most stainless steel sinks are made by [[Drawing (manufacturing)|drawing]] a [[sheet metal|sheet]] of stainless steel over a [[Die (manufacturing)|die]]. Some very deep sinks are fabricated by [[welding]]. Stainless steel sinks will not be damaged by hot or cold objects and resist damage from impacts. Stainless steel sinks are widely celebrated for their durability, sleek appearance, and resistance to rust and corrosion. However, many homeowners are baffled when they spot rust stains on their stainless steel sink.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Addison |first1=Riley |title=Why Is My Stainless Steel Sink Rusting? |url=https://plumbingadvice.online/why-is-my-stainless-steel-sink-rusting/ |website=Plumbing Advice |publisher=Riley Addison |access-date=28 November 2024}}</ref> One disadvantage of stainless steel is that, being made of thin metal, they tend to be [[Noise|noisier]] than most other sink materials, although better sinks apply a heavy coating of vibration-damping material to the underside of the sink.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Julie|first1=Taylor|title=הלבשת אמבטיה|url=http://www.bath.co.il/הלבשת-אמבטיה/|website=www.bath.co.il|access-date=14 June 2016|date=15 February 2008}}</ref>

Enamel over cast iron is a popular material for kitchen and bathroom sinks. Heavy and durable, these sinks can also be manufactured in a very wide range of shapes and colours. Like stainless steel, they are very resistant to hot or cold objects, but they can be damaged by sharp impacts and once the glass surface is breached, the underlying cast iron will often corrode, [[spall]]ing off more of the glass. Aggressive cleaning will dull the surface, leading to more dirt accumulation. Enamel over steel is a similar-appearing but far less rugged and less cost-effective alternative.
[[File:Sink at Ritz Carlton Dubai.jpg|thumb|Double sink with a marble countertop]]

Solid ceramic sinks have many of the same characteristics as enamel over cast iron, but without the risk of surface damage leading to corrosion.

Plastic sinks come in several basic forms:
* Inexpensive sinks are simply made using injection-molded [[thermoplastic]]s. These are often deep, free-standing sinks used in laundry rooms. Subject to damage by hot or sharp objects, the principal virtue of these sinks is their low cost.
* High-end [[acrylic glass|acrylic]] drop-in (lowered into the countertop) and undermount (attached from the bottom) sinks are becoming more popular, although they tend to be easily damaged by hard objects – like scouring a cast iron [[frying pan]] in the sink.
* Plastic sinks may also be made from the same materials used to form "solid surface" [[countertop]]s. These sinks are durable, attractive, and can often be molded with an integrated countertop or joined to a separate countertop in a seamless fashion, leading to no sink-to-countertop joint or a very smooth sink-to-countertop joint that can not trap dirt or germs. These sinks are subject to damage by hot objects but damaged areas can sometimes be [[Sandpaper|sanded]] down to expose undamaged material.

Soapstone sinks were once common, but today tend to be used only in very-high-end applications or applications that must resist [[Caustic (substance)|caustic]] chemicals that would damage more-conventional sinks.

Wood sinks are from the early days of sinks, and baths were made from natural [[teak]] with no additional finishing. Teak is chosen because of its natural waterproofing properties – it has been used for hundreds of years in the marine industry for this reason. Teak also has natural antiseptic properties, which is a bonus for its use in baths and sinks.

Glass sinks: A current trend in bathroom design is the handmade glass sink (often referred to as a vessel sink), which has become fashionable for wealthy homeowners.

Stone sinks have been used for ages. Some of the more popular stones used are: marble, travertine, onyx, granite, and soap stone on high end sinks.

Glass, concrete, and [[terrazzo]] sinks are usually designed for their [[Aesthetics|aesthetic appeal]] and can be obtained in a wide variety of unusual shapes and colors such as [[Flower|floral]] shapes. Concrete and terrazzo are occasionally also used in very-heavy-duty applications such as janitorial sinks.