2007-05-16 11:51:17 · 7 answers · asked by sillyivy 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
I've had to live with both, and vote for porcelain. Why, well, for us in Arizona we have extremely hard water, which gives us white stains that look awful. Also, I'm always wiping the sink to make it look clean - without water spots. Second, I remember having issues with acid things like tomato sauce, etc. My kid would throw dishes in the sink, with food, and I remember having issues with the stainless steel.
For porcelain, yes, it can chip; but I've had 2 sinks (white/cream) and neither has ever chipped. to clean any stain, I use powered bleach that's super cheap or no scrub bleaching. I've yet to have any problems. It also doesn't show water spots - though a black or dark color probably would. But holds up extremely well. It was more expensive but worth it to me.
2007-05-16 11:58:14 · answer #1 · answered by katydid 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's a matter of taste and trends. I've had both and am now going back to stainless in our new house build because stainless is the new trend for kitchens. Stainless shows spots which makes me....a clean freak...crazy, but porcelain can chip. The new stainless is better able to handle spots so I guess I will see after I get into my new house. There really isn't anything in a kitchen that is perfect as far as cleaning. It's just a matter of tolerance for the look.
2007-05-16 13:48:40 · answer #2 · answered by dawnb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been around home building for 30 years and have never seek a porcelain kitchen sink. Most kitchen sinks are enameled steel, stainless steel, solid surface, or soapstone. There are more exotic and very expensive sinks but lets stick to those four. Enameled steel is a sturdy and traditional look and is low in cost. A good one will start about $200. Stainless steel is more sophisticated look at a moderate price, good ones start at about $500. Solid surface is from moderate to high priced and can be plain to very sophisticated and can almost be individualized there are so many options. They can be scratched but are easily fixed by sanding with fine paper. Soapstone is pricey but sophisticated and natural looking. Is not so cold to touch and is solid so can be restored any number of times like solid surface. All are durable and are easy to clean
2007-05-16 12:28:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only real con to a stainless steel (SS) sink is the look.
But a lot of people like it.
Porcelain sinks look very nice and are durable as well but they can be chipped with the drop of a heavy/sharp object.
What kind of Ctop do you have?
If it's laminate(Formica), SS is the most common. They are generally inexpensive by comparison to others. Porcelain sinks are often used to match other kitchen decor.
If you have composite or stone, SS is the probably the best option.
2007-05-16 12:02:52 · answer #4 · answered by St. Brandon 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am really torn because I have had both. When I had porcelain it did chip - and it had to be cleaned constantly, but nothing a little comet couldn't take care of. It does scratch easy though. It also looks shiny without a lot of effort.
Stainless steel is what I have now. Yes you can get water spots and you need to polish it - but it doesn't chip and washes clean easily. It looks more industrial but it does match my home.
2007-05-16 12:28:46 · answer #5 · answered by OohLaLa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you that stainless steel is extremely hard to keep shiny and clean. My father just got a stainless refrigerator and he's tried several different things to get it back to how it looked when it was new, and none of them seem to work. And it's just he and my brother who live there, not lots of kids with lots of fingerprints. I'd never get stainless on an appliance.
2007-05-16 12:00:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
The SS sinks lose their shine and lustre after a few years and just look dull.
Porcelain will look like new forever if you take care of it.
2007-05-16 12:02:02 · answer #7 · answered by JON Z 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋