Selecting a kitchen or bathroom sink should be easy. There were only a few large companies that sold ceramic, enameled steel, cast iron, and stainless steel sinks. In the last decade, there has been an explosion of new products in the sink category and a growing demand for handcrafted and custom work. There have been several “new” sink media that have gained acceptance recently: glass, various stones, brass, copper, and even wood. This article will focus on copper sinks and what to look for before making your purchase.
Copper is man’s oldest metal, dating back more than 10,000 years. Its use in the home in modern times ranges from copper pipes in your plumbing system to some of the best cookware available. Restaurateurs, hoteliers, and interior decorators view copper and brass as naturally attractive metals that make a statement of quality, comfort, and beauty. Not surprisingly, copper has also become a popular material for kitchen, bathroom, and bar sinks.
Copper artisans abound throughout the world, however, the artisans who have earned a reputation for making sinks have been primarily focused on India, Mexico, and the US. Most of the shops that make copper sinks” Handcrafted” are small and the methods used to build sinks date back centuries. The term “hand hammered” has recently become synonymous with Mexican sinks. This term refers to the original ancient techniques that artisans have been using for centuries in this area. The copper sheets are literally hammered into shape and finished by hand.
The results are somewhat rustic, but truly unique and one of a kind. Copper sinks in the US are made using similar techniques, but are more often “plain” rather than “hammered.” US coppersmiths are dominated by shops that do custom work primarily for commercial projects like restaurants. You can see examples of all these sinks in the Sinks Gallery. They specialize in handmade sinks and have one of the largest selections of copper sinks available, as well as sinks of all mediums, including glass, ceramic, various stone, and even wood.
There are three main differentiators that determine quality: the technical construction, the thickness of the copper, and the company you are buying from. The quality of construction is made up of several factors: how the corners are constructed, the welding technique, and the proper dimensions to facilitate installation. Quality can vary even when considering sinks made in the same city, like many of the sinks in Mexico. The buyer must make sure that he is buying from a legitimate company that knows the product and is not selling “seconds”. In the world of handmade products, not all sinks are created equal, and there are often two or more levels of quality sold by the same store (ie “firsts” and “seconds”).
Copper starts in sheets of various thicknesses or “gauge.” Metal thickness can also refer to weight per square foot. The thicker the gauge of copper, the lower the number. Most bathroom sinks are made from 20 gauge (thinnest) to 16 gauge (thickest) and most kitchen sinks range from 18 gauge to 14 gauge. When shopping for copper sinks, always ask about the gauge and keep in mind that a thicker gauge sink will cost more, and in many cases is worth it! Light gauge metal can produce a “clunking” sound when you turn on the faucet.
Finally consider the store you are shopping at. If a copper sink seems “cheap” in price, there is usually a reason. I have seen many of the copper sinks sold on the more famous “auction site”. All I can say is “buyer beware”, or more to the point “you get what you pay for”… If something goes wrong with your sink or there is a problem when it arrives, you’ll want to make sure that the company you bought from will stand behind your product. Think carefully about buying internationally. Too often, a sink that is received is not as represented. A reputable dealer must identify your shipping location, clearly state your warranty and return policy, and be available for consultation.
I am a fan of copper sinks. I think they are tough but elegant, especially as they get older. The rich reflections and hues of the patina process are constantly evolving. A copper finish is a “live finish” and actually never stops changing color. That being said, the evolution of a copper finish is gradual, and as it ages, it becomes even more attractive. You can reduce this change a lot by using wax or even a lacquer product, but I personally like to let the copper evolve. Most of the time, this process results in a yellowish-brown weathered copper patina. I like to refer to it as the soul of the basins.
Copper sinks often come in various finishes, from a shiny copper finish (like a new penny) to a dark patina (we call ours “Dark Smoke”) and everything in between. Which copper finish you choose is a matter of personal taste, but our clients often prefer the more “worn” patinas to avoid the maintenance or uncertainty associated with shiny copper. If you want to slow down the patina process, try applying a wax like “Renaissance Wax”. Applied every few months, the wax will provide a barrier between the copper and the environment.
Copper kitchen sinks come in two basic forms: under-mount or farmhouse-style. The rustic nature of copper sinks lends itself well to the farmhouse sink style. Sometimes referred to as “front-end” sinks, these sinks come in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and configurations, ie single bowl, double bowl, and even triple bowl. Bathroom sinks are generally available in three styles: vessel (mounted above the counter), “recessed” or under-counter mount. Usually, the style of the lips determines whether the bathroom sink is recessed or recessed. Be sure to order the right lip style to suit your project. A recent trend in bathroom design is to combine a copper mirror frame with the sink in the same patina. This can help create consistency in the appearance of the decoration.
If you have any other questions before purchasing a sink, feel free to call us at Sinks Gallery or Copper Sinks Online – 1-877-320-0800. We will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.