5 Tips When Shopping For Copper Kitchen Sinks
Copper kitchen sinks are growing in popularity every year due to the growing fascination with rustic architecture and design, as well as copper’s natural antimicrobial properties. Their unique shine is also well suited to a large number of decorating schemes and can add a unique, attractive accent to almost any kitchen. Still, you will find that they are significantly different than stainless steel sinks, which have become the standard. Below, you will find five tips that will help you when you are shopping for copper kitchen sinks for your own home.
Thicker Is Better
When shopping for copper kitchen sinks, the first thing you are going to want to make sure of is that it is made out of hick gauge copper. This will obviously make it more durable and resistant to denting in the event that it is dinged or banged thanks to the thicker metal, but it will also cut down on the noise generated from working in it.
Look At The Joints
Many people neglect to do this, but the joints in a copper kitchen sink are very important when determining the durability of the sink. Copper sinks whose joints have been welded instead of soldered are going to hold together much more firmly and for a longer time. It will also be more likely to develop an even patina as the surface oxidizes over time.
Determine Whether You Need An Undermount Kitchen Sink or Not
There are lots of different kinds of sinks available, from the copper farmhouse sink to undercounter sinks that are the same as a standard stainless steel model, only made of a different material. A farmhouse copper sink will be entirely visible in the front, which allows for a far more rustic appearance.
Consider Copper Kitchen Sinks That Have Been Aged
Some manufacturers pre-age their copper items in order to allow them to develop a full patina before it reaches the customer. The reason this is done is so that the customer does not have to spend any time worrying about how the patina is going to form when they have not even purchased the sink yet. Most of the time, you can get pre-aged copper fixtures for your new sink at the same time.
Always Research The Company Before You Buy
Although this is important whenever you are shopping for any expensive item, it is especially important in this case because less reputable companies have been known to defraud their customers with various practices. If you are not careful, you may end up with copper kitchen sinks that are mixed with lower quality metals or are simply copper plated. It goes without saying that this drastically reduces the durability and quality of the final sink.
Remember, a copper kitchen sink is going to be a significant investment, so whatever you do, you are going to want to take very good care of it once you get it home and installed. One final tip – NEVER put a very hot pot or pan in a copper sink. They are softer and have a lower melting point than stainless steel, and simply cannot take the abuse.
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