Client Wants a Concrete Sink

Question:
One of my clients wants a concrete kitchen sink. Is this a good idea? Are there any performance issues to be aware of?

Answer:
If you are careful with the design and construction of a concrete kitchen sink, AND you properly set the expectations of how that sink is going to perform, then it may not be a bad idea at all. And concrete does offer the advantages of complete flexibility in size, shape and color.

However, your client needs to understand that a concrete kitchen sink will not perform the same as other common kitchen sinks. For example, the inside of the sink may be more subject to chips, scratches, stains and discoloration from normal use. And it will be difficult or perhaps impossible for you to restore it to like-new condition if these blemishes do occur.

A kitchen sink sees more concentrated use and abuse than any other area in a kitchen. Consider the wear and tear that’s heaped upon it day after day in the form of knives, forks, pots, pans, food scraps, boiling water, grease, harsh cleaners and who knows what else that’s put, dropped or poured into it. It doesn’t matter how the sink is made or how it’s sealed, it will show more scratches and stains than the rest of the countertop.

Because a concrete kitchen sink will show wear and tear, it might be best compared to a copper sink, which shows age and use and is marketed as having a “living finish.” And like a copper kitchen sink, a concrete kitchen sink will “acquire a patina,” a euphemism for staining, chipping, scratching and general wear and tear. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if your client expects the inside of a kitchen sink to remain pristine and unchanged, then a concrete sink may not be the best option.