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Vessel Sinks - Page 2
Clay materials are beautiful and durable. However, they can be broken or damaged easily, so they must be treated with care. Compared to glass materials, vessel sinks that are made from clay are much more durable than glass. Glass is not as fragile as most buyers would think, however. Glass materials have evolved from their early counterparts. Glass sinks can handle small accidents, such as a small plastic bottle or brush falling into the bowl. Heavy objects will naturally cause breakage. The strength of the glass stems from both the type of material used in the creation, but also the production. Glass sinks are generally made from either soda lime or lead glass. Soda lime is a common, inexpensive material, which makes it perfect for vessel sinks. The material can be etched and shaped into many intriguing designs. For those that are looking for an even higher premium grade glass, the lead glass is the best choice. Lead glass is soft, has a brilliant shine, and can been enhanced dramatically by cutting. Many buyers often choose lead glass over soda lime for vessel sinks, but if the price difference makes a difference for your budget, the substitution of the cheaper glass does not reduce the beauty or quality of your vessel sink.
As stated before, production of the glass does play a role in strength. Certain methods, such as heat-strengthened glass, provide strength while still allowing for beautiful decoration. Other methods, such as tempered glass (also called safety glass) may be more suitable if strength is more of a priority than designs. This is not to say that tempered glass will not hold a design; it simply must be planned earlier in the process than other types of glass production.
While glass and clay materials lend themselves to a more contemporary, decorative look, metal materials such as cast iron and stainless steel are the best choice with respect to resistance to damage. Metal materials are variable in strength, features, and durability. When it comes to vessel sinks, metal materials tend to add natural designs, along with any crafted design the designer implements. For example, copper oxidizes, forming a patina. This patina is merely a bright visual representation of the chemical changes going on over time within the metal. This patina ranges from deep reds, to pinks, greens, and browns. This soft metal does not change evenly, and will most likely spot. This adds to the unique qualities of the metal. Copper is a great choice for a vessel sink, as often there is so many rich design features already present in the metal.
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