Copper Round
Copper Sinks 101
Copper sinks have gained popularity in recent years and continue to be a top choice amongst high end home owners because of their unique design and aesthetic. Copper also has a unique benefit which is that it is antimicrobial, which means that bacteria and germs including E. coli, influenza, staphylococcus and more can only live on copper for 1-2 hours, versus days or even weeks for stainless steel and porcelain. This inherent feature of copper makes it an ideal material for kitchen and bathroom sinks.
There are a lot of factors to consider before buying a copper sink for your home and with the product offerings out there it is worth doing a little research so you can compare apples to apples.
Types of Copper Sinks
There are three main types of copper sinks, which are bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks and bar/prep sinks.
Copper bathroom sinks can be further broken up into three categories,
1) Under mount sinks
2) Drop in sinks
3) Vessel sinks.
Similarly, copper kitchen sinks as well as copper bar and prep sinks also have three main categories
1) Under mount sinks
2) Drop in sinks
3) Apron / Farmhouse Sinks
Under mount copper sinks are, as you might expect, mounted underneath the countertop surface. Typically these sinks, whether they are for the kitchens, bars or bathrooms have a flat rim. The flat rim is used to adhere the sink to the bottom of the countertop and allows the sink to sit flush underneath the surface of the counter, so there are no gaps between the sink and the bottom of the counter. Under mounted copper sinks are typically used with solid countertop materials, such as natural stone or composites like quartz and solid surface.
Drop in copper sinks are the opposite of under mount sinks, they are dropped in to the cut-out in countertop with the rim exposed above the counter. The rim is what keeps the sink in place and prevents it from going through the cut out in the countertop, because of this, drop in sinks typically have rounded or slightly bevelled rims.
Copper vessel sinks sit entirely above the countertop; they do not require any cut outs in the countertop other than a hole for the drain to pass through. Copper vessel sinks are only used in bathrooms and provide a modern aesthetic while still maintaining the old world charm of copper.
Lastly, copper apron sinks which are used in the kitchen are somewhat of a hybrid design. The front part of the sink has a decorative apron panel that sits just in front of the countertop edge and is left exposed once installed. The rest of the sink is either under mounted or dropped in, depending on the design. For this reason the cabinetry and countertop need to be specially fabricated to accommodate a copper apron sink. They are also referred to as farm house sinks because this type of sink design was often found in old farm house kitchens.
Choosing a Copper Sink
Once you have decided on what type of copper sink you need for your kitchen, bathroom or bar, you can start looking at suitable products in that category. There are a few important things to consider when buying a copper sink, the most important being the quality of the copper. Many of the lower cost, lower quality copper sinks that come from China are not pure copper; they often contain metal additives such as bronze or even tin. The finish of the sink can sometimes be a dead give away, but it is often hard to spot just in a photo. A real copper sink should be 98% pure copper or higher. It has been said that the highest quality copper sinks come from Mexico, followed by India.
The second most important factor to look at when buying a copper sink is the thickness. The following may sound counterintuitive, but the lower the gauge of the sink, the thicker the material. For example, a 14 gauge sink is thicker than an 18 gauge sink. The gauge of the copper will certainly vary from sink to sink, but as a general rule copper bathroom sinks should be a minimum of 18 gauge, with 16 gauge being preferential. Copper kitchen sinks, especially farmhouse sinks should be a minimum of 16 gauge but the higher quality ones are often 14 gauge. A copper sink made of a thin sheet of copper, such as a 20 gauge will not only have tendency to warp and dent easily, but will also give a “tinny” sound when water hits the surface, two things that are certainly not desirable when owning a copper sink.
The third and final factor to consider when looking at copper sinks is their construction. This is particularly important for kitchen sinks because of their size and frequency of use, but is certainly a deciding factor for bathroom and bar sinks too. The basic shape of a quality copper sink is created in one of two ways either by hand forming a single sheet into a sink, a long process done by gifted artisans which are continuously heating and hammering the copper into a shape, or by machine press, which takes a flat piece of copper and presses it into shape using a mould. It’s true that the machine press method doesn’t seem as authentic and exotic but this method offers repeatability and accuracy, and in the end can often lead to a better looking product. There are a couple things in particular you have to watch for when purchasing a copper kitchen sink. Often, copper kitchen sinks, especially apron sinks, cannot be formed from a single sheet of copper, but from separate elements which are then welded together. It is important to check the quality of these welds, to ensure they are smooth and not sharp and that they have good contact between both pieces of metal. Finally, with copper kitchen sinks you want to check the quality of the interior edges and corners to ensure they are free of burs, rough spots and have a clean interface with each other.
The Patina Effect & Cleaning Copper Sinks
Copper is a material that has a living finish, which means it changes over time as it reacts to the environment it is in. When copper comes in contact with air and water an oxidation process occurs which usually turns the copper finish a darker color and gives it a more natural look. Some people appreciate this living finish, while others would rather keep the copper sink looking like it did the day it was installed.
For copper sinks with a polished finish, most recommend Wrights Copper Cream, it will keep your copper looking shiny and new, Wrights Copper Cream should not be used with copper sinks that have a dark patina because it may cause staining and removal of the patina all together.
For darker copper sinks cleaning should only be done with soap and water. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or chemical cleaners on copper sinks, they can and likely will damage the finish. The patina process can be slowed or stopped by creating a layer between the air and the copper sink, this is usually done by waxing the copper sink. Flitz Faucet and Fixture Wax is an ideal product to protect the finish, but pure carnauba wax, often found in higher end car polishes, will also work.
Old World Charm with a Modern Twist
Copper sinks are suitable for traditional homes just as much as they are in contemporary homes. Copper has the wonderful ability to tie in other rich materials like wood and stone, to create a naturally inspired, welcoming space.
Whether you are looking for a copper bathroom sink, bar sink or kitchen sink it is important to ensure you are getting a quality product made from real copper that is thick enough for the type of sink it is. It is equally important to make sure the construction and overall finish of the product is near perfect, so that you can enjoy it in your home for years to come.
About the Author
Shawn Gusz is the Head of Sales and Marketing for CopperSinksStore.com , an online retailer who specializes in high quality, affordable copper bathroom, Copper sinks, kitchen and bar sinks from Mexico and India.
The good, the bad & the Ugly … Re: TrueDex Copper Round Pricing
|
|
Belle Foret BFC1BAR WC Round Copper Bar Sink Flat $378.42 |
|
|
Belle Foret Large Round Copper Kitchen Sink with Flat Bottom and Drain Option $463.54 |
|
|
Belle Foret Large Round Copper Bar Sink with Flat Bottom and Drain Option $421.67 |
|
|
NEW BRUSHED COPPER ROUND 1-1/4″ CABINET KNOB $1.00 |
|
|
Round Minors Pan Hammered Copper Vessel Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze VR16MPDB $228.00 |
|
|
12″ Round Hammered Copper Champagne Bar Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze BR12WDB $269.00 |
|
|
Round Braided Undermount Hammered Copper Bathroom Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze $208.00 |
|
|
Round Braided Self Rimming Hammered Copper Bathroom Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze $208.00 |
|
|
Small Round Hammered Copper Vessel Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze VR13BDB $247.00 |
|
|
Medium Round Hammered Copper Vessel Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze VR15BDB $269.00 |
|
|
Round Undermount Hammered Copper Bathroom Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze LR17FDB $189.00 |
|
|
Small Round Undermount Hammered Copper Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze LR14FDB $189.00 |
|
|
Large Round Hammered Copper Vessel Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze VR17BDB $288.00 |
|
|
Presidenthaus WH6887K ANTIQUE COPPER Hand Shower w/ Round Diverter/Escutcheon $93.75 |
|
|
COPPER SINK 16″ ROUND $99.99 |
|
|
Round Copper Sink, Dark Antique Undermount, Bent Rim #121 $199.99 |
|
|
Presidenthaus WH6874LK Antique Copper 2 Round Body Sprays/1 Volume LEVER $78.75 |
|
|
Hammered Copper Round Bar Sink Basin Undermount NEW $309.00 |
|
|
Hammered Copper Round Bar Sink Basin Prep Vessel NEW $309.00 |
|
|
Hammered Copper Round Bar Sink Basin Undermount Stars $309.00 |
|
|
Presidenthaus WH6487K ANTIQUE COPPER Hand Shower w/ Round Diverter $93.75 |
|
|
Hammered Copper Round Bath Sink Basin Undermount NEW $309.00 |
|
|
Cabinet Dresser Metal Round Pull Handle Knob Copper Tone $3.65 |
|
|
COPPER KITCHEN SINK APRON ROUND SCROLL dark patina SATIN BACK STARS DESIGN 33X22 $837.50 |
|
|
Opella 14157.265 Stainless 15″ Sink Round COPPER ROSE $184.95 |
|
|
NEW¨ Stud Design Double Wall Round Vessel Copper Sink $384.00 |
|
|
17″ ROUND HAND HAMMERED COPPER SKIRTED VESSEL SINK $249.95 |
|
|
Round Front Copper Kitchen Sink w/Fluer De Lis Design $1,029.00 |
|
|
Cabinet Dresser Metal Round Pull Handle Knob Copper Tone $4.32 |
|
|
D’Vontz Rimless Round Copper Vessel Sink LV8001L15 $321.00 |
|
|
16″ x 7″ ROUND COPPER HAMMERED DEEP BAR OR PREP SINK $129.95 |
|
|
D’Vontz Rimless Round Copper Vessel Sink with Stand LV7001L15 $411.00 |
|
|
Antiqued copper sink – Round $99.00 |
|
|
Plain copper sink – Round $99.00 |
|
|
Small Copper Round Hammered Bar Sink W/ 2″ Drain $139.00 |
|
|
Round Hammered Copper Bar/Prep Sink With Grape Design $159.00 |
|
|
16″ Round Copper Bar Or Prep Grape Sink PACKAGE $198.98 |
|
|
14″ Small Copper Round Undermount Bathroom Sink PACKAGE $180.98 |
|
|
The Copper Factory Hand Hammered Copper 16.5″ Double Wall Round Vessel Sink $532.99 |
|
|
The Copper Factory Hand Hammered Copper 16.5″ Double Wall Round Vessel Sink $532.99 |
|
|
Drawer Cabinet Floral Copper Tone Metal Round Pull Knob $3.82 |
|
|
14″ Small Hammered Round Copper Sink – Satin Nickel $195.95 |
|
|
Flower and Thorn Design Top or Undermount Round Copper Vessel Sink CSB1228 $383.00 |
|
|
Round Self Rimming Hammered Copper Bathroom Sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze LR17RDB $189.00 |
|
|
Pair Copper Round Flat Rim Bathroom Braid Sink PACKAGE $316.96 |
|
|
ROUND FROT COPPER KITCHEN SINK w/FLEUR DE LIS DESING $1,029.00 |
|
|
Lenova Ck201 Copper 16″ Round Under/Top Counter Prep $399.95 |
|
|
Hammered Copper Round Vessel Double Walled Sink 16″ $410.00 |
|
|
Top Knobs Somerset Round Knob $10.80 |
|
|
Round Bathroom Copper Sink Original Fleur de Lis Design 16 gage copper $160.00 |
|
|
Rustic Double Well Round Front Farmhouse Kitchen Copper sink 33x22x10 $915.00 |
|
|
Round Bar Copper Sink 16¨x16¨x7¨ $169.00 |
|
|
*Rustic 15″ Round Copper Vessel Cazo Sink w/ Handles DARK PATINA MICHOACAN STYLE $128.50 |
|
|
Antique COPPER Round Peaked KNOBS Liberty Hardware Box of 20 $9.99 |
|
|
*Rustic 16″ Round Copper Vessel Cazo Sink w/ Handles DARK PATINA MICHOACAN STYLE $128.50 |
|
|
Ambiente 17″ Copper Handmade Bar Vessel Apron Round Sink CS-BAR-APR-RND-DK $239.00 |
|
|
33″ Copper Handmade Kitchen Farmhouse Round Apron Single Well Cactus Sink $1,259.00 |
|
|
33″ Copper Handmade Kitchen Farmhouse Round Apron Single Well Silver Trees Sink $1,403.00 |
|
|
Ambiente 17″ Copper Handmade Bar Vessel Double Wall Round Sink $368.00 |
|
|
Round Vessel Copper Sink Fleur De Lis Design Rustic Finish $379.00 |
|
|
33″ Copper Handmade Kitchen Farmhouse Round Apron Single Well Plain Sink $1,206.00 |
|
|
Round Miners Pan Vessel Hammered Copper Sink Premier Co $228.00 |
|
|
Large Round Vessel Hammered Copper Sink Premier Copper $288.00 |
|
|
Small Round Vessel Hammered Copper Sink Premier Copper $247.00 |
|
|
Medium Round Vessel Hammered Copper Sink Premier Copper $269.00 |
|
|
Round Hand Forged Old World Copper Vessel Sink Premier $444.00 |
|
|
Round Self Rimming Hammered Copper Sink Premier Copper $189.00 |
|
|
Round Under Counter Hammered Copper Sink Premier Copper $189.00 |
|
|
Round Braided Self Rimming Hammered Copper Sink Premier $208.00 |
|
|
Small Round Self Rimming Hammered Copper Sink Premier C $189.00 |
|
|
Round Braided Under Counter Hammered Copper Sink Premie $208.00 |
|
|
Small Round Self Rimming Hammered Copper Sink Premier C $185.00 |
|
|
Small Round Under Counter Hammered Copper Sink Premier $189.00 |
|
|
Small Round Under Counter Hammered Copper Sink Premier $185.00 |
|
|
* ABOVE THE COUNTER ROUND SMALL COPPER BATHROOM SINK DARK PATINA FINISH !!!!!!!! $118.50 |
|
|
Yosemite Home Decor Flower and Vine Design Topmount Round Copper Vessel Sink $352.00 |
|
|
Drawer Cabinet Floral Copper Tone Metal Round Pull Knob $4.16 |
|
|
Copper Finish Table Top Round Halogen Patio Heater – by Well traveled Import – 6 $205.00 |
|
|
Round Hammered Copper Sink with Small Fish Inlay $125.00 |
|
|
Single Well Farmhouse Kitchen Copper Sink Round Apron Front/ Fleur de Lis Design $999.00 |
|
|
18″ Round Hammered Copper Drum Sink – Medium Antique $299.95 |
|
|
*NEW* Round Front Copper Kitchen Sink w/ Fluer De Lis $949.00 |
|
|
Antique COPPER Round Peaked KNOBS Liberty Hardware Box of 100 $99.99 |
|
|
16″ Round Flared Hand Hammered Copper Vessel Vanity Bathroom Sink $119.95 |
|
|
16″ Round Flared Hand Hammered Copper Vessel Vanity Sink $119.95 |
|
|
16″ Round Flared Hand Hammered Copper Vessel Countertop Bathroom Sink $119.95 |
|
|
16″ Round Flared Copper Vessel Vanity Bathroom Sink with DRAIN $149.95 |
|
|
16″ Round Flared Copper Vessel Bathroom Sink with DRAIN $149.95 |
|
|
antique Bright copper beaded rim round cabinet knob $1.95 |
|
|
Drawer Cabinet Floral Copper Tone Metal Round Pull Knob $4.18 |
|
|
33″ Silver Trees Copper Round Apron 1 Well Kitchen Sink $879.00 |
|
|
* ROUND APRON TOWEL SINGLE BOWL KITCHEN COPPER SINK DARK PATINA FINISH HAMMERED! $815.00 |
|
|
* RARE VESSEL hand painted TOP COUNTER COPPER BATHROOM SINK round DARK PATINA !! $175.50 |
|
|
* RARE VESSEL RED & GOLDEN PAINTED TOP COUNTER BATHROOM COPPER SINK round !!!!!! $195.50 |
|
|
* RARE VESSEL GREEN & GOLDEN PAINTED TOP COUNTER BATHROOM COPPER SINK round !!!! $195.50 |
|
|
* RARE VESSEL hand painted TOP COUNTER COPPER BATHROOM SINK round OLD PATINA !!! $175.50 |
|
|
*NEW* Round Front Copper Kitchen Sink w/ Fluer De Lis $949.00 |
|
|
New Handemade Copper Round Bowl Bathroom Sink $125.00 |
|
|
Cabinet Antique Style Round Copper Tone Pull Handle Knob $4.07 |
|
|
* ABOVE THE COUNTER ROUND SMALL BATHROOM copper SINK pumpkin design dark patina! $115.50 |
|
|
Prepara Ice Balls, Lemon, Lime, Raspberry and Tangerine, Set of 4 $5.99 Product FeaturesSet of four ice ballsFill with mint leaves, lemon or lime segments, or juice for flavored icePerfect for pitchers, punch bowls and tumblersEach measures 2-inch round; larger size means they will last longerBpa free, top rack dishwasher safe: small parts; not intended for small children Fill and freeze these 2-inch round orbs for a fun cube alternative. Pack them with mint leaves, b… |
|
|
Moscow Mule Mug (Set of 4) $66.99 OS428 Features: -Includes 4 mugs. -Polished copper finish. -Durable copper construction. -Capacity: 16 oz…. |
|
|
Revere 1400 Line 3-Quart Covered Saucepan $23.95 Classically straight-sided, this 3-quart saucepan is perfect for making sauces, heating soups, and preparing countless other foods. The phenolic handles and knob are oven-safe to 350 degrees F, so the pan can be used to braise or warm foods in the oven under its tight-fitting lid. Revere’s Copper Clad cookware is made of handsome, mirror-finish, 18/10 stainless steel. Copper is cookware’s best hea… |
|
|
Throwing Copper $4.50 Ed Kowalczyk knows a thing or two about transmitting personal anguish through song. Even though the Live frontman is often derided as a budget-bin Michael Stipe, there is no denying his cathartic influence on this Pennsylvania foursome’s musical direction. Throwing Copper is not only Live’s most successful release (six-million-plus copies sold) but also the best showcase for Kowalczyk’s fierce voc… |
|
|
Live – Secret Samadhi $14.50 Track Listings 1. Rattlesnake |
|
|
you spin me round (like a record) 12 CLASSIC – NUFF SAID All time electro pop anthem from dead or alive… |
|
|
Moonrays 91249 Solar-Powered Black Plastic Post-Cap LED Lamp Light $10.58 SOLAR POST CAP LIGHT – Installs in minutes (screws included) durable black plastic construction with plastic lens. White LED and AA NiCD battery included # 97125. 4.13 tall…. |
|
|
Pine Top 511-0007 4-Light LED Solar-Powered Plastic Fence-Post Cap Light, White $22.99 … |
|
|
Neiko Hand Held Power Punch, Sheet Metal Hole Punch Kit $21.99 Durable power punch tool for punching accurate round holes through all types of materials. From thin brass metal to plastic sheet through 16 gauge mild steel. Features with an adjustable edge guide, easily lets you align holes in a straight line 1/4″ to 1-1/2″ inches from the edge. Package comes with seven quick-change, durable heat treated punch-and-die sets. Sizes from 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 7/3… |
|
|
Lodge Cast Iron Scrubber Brush $3.64 Lodge K11BRSH 11″ Cast Iron Scrubber For over 110 years, Lodge has been teaching folks how to clean cast iron. Although we canât provide the hot water, we can offer this sturdy, stiff bristled brush and these great pan scrappers. Lodge K11BRSH 11″ Cast Iron Scrubber Features: Sturdy stiff nylon bristles Polycarbonate pan scraper For use on cast iron 11″ wood handle… |
This entry was posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2007 at 9:07 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.