Bar Sinks

[DLausche]

OK, here's an odd topic for the TDR...



Any plumbers out there know what type of bar sink is popular these days? I'm fond of the cast iron/enamel sinks while my wife is convinced that the only right (or "in") thing to have is a stainless steel sink in the downstairs bar/rec area. At the local supply place (Menards), the SS bar sink they have is somewhat smallish, IMO. The cast iron sink they have is larger, like 10x16, fairly deep and more usefull. OK, so you can tell already that I am trying to promote my idea/desire here...



Question is... Any plumbers or builders out there that work on mid to upper end bar sink setups? What is the going thing now? Stainless steel, or cast iron? I know the cost can sometimes be a factor but the difference (~$100) is really not that much that I'd have to go one way or the other because of cost



Thanks for your thoughts.

-Deon

 

[RandyHamilton]

4 words

Cast Iron Deep Sink!! Can't say what is popular but SS is not for me!!! I think I did too much shining of Brass while in the Navy!!!

 

[ACoyle]

Not a plumber, but, My wife wanted black anodized (Chalfalon pots & pans) hard to clean scratch, can't scour, very attractive. Black stove, much more attractive, an absolute bear to keep clean compared to white porcelain.



"My Kitchen, in the basement will be stainless, all stainless. Counter tops, sinks pots, pans, stove and anything else I can get. I can cook in it and I can clean it. Yes it will scratch over time, but it will be easy to clean great to cook in and looks OK. It is to be a "Cooks Kitchen". It will have a computer iwth Internet access bar stools and be "My Hangout". Hopefully restaurant size grill, etc. And of rant.



AC



Juat my own opinion.

 

[kowaliga]

I've seen some bars and their sinks employ sheet zinc. Zinc has a dull patina, is malleable and lasts forever. Its not the focus of attention, but architecturally desirable. Also a nickled iron, drop front style is high-end, but utile and unique, if your design is to stand behind it.

 

[Alphacowboy]

Deon, dont buy a stainless sink from Home Depot or menards, they are cheap, and will dent very easy. Personally, I wouldnt do the cast iron either, again, if you want somthing nice that the porcelin will last, your going to be buying somthing from other places than HD to get it and they will be $$$$. I would say for a bar, go stainless, but let me know what you want, and i might be able to get you one through my plumber friend. Also, whos building the bar cabinets? :-laf I know a guy that builds them, i call him, dad. :-laf

 

[bighammer]

Have looked at a stainless undermount sink?

We went with Elkay sinks in our kitchen mounted under the Corrian tops and we're quite happy with them. They are more $pendy than the junk ones from the "big box" stores, but still pretty reasonable. I ordered them online.

 

[DLausche]

Well, I went with the cast iron porcelain enamel sink. Ordered from Menards. I am happy with the looks and quality. Originally, we had a SS drop in sink from Menards and I thought it looked flimsy when I got it home. Our house is certainly not fancy or high end, but I like to look at the best options available when I dig into a project, thus the request for higher-end sink info. I checked into more SS sinks and there are a lot of very nice ones out there. Unfortunately, they appear to be under mount styles and I need a self-rimming drop in style unit.



The sink we got is actually a "vegetable sink" made for a kitchen from what I can tell. It is really deep and quite sizable. I am thinking I need to take care not to drop stuff in it and chip it though.



Attached are a couple of pics I took after the sink install. Now I need to build the backsplash and finish the job.



-Deon

 

[Alphacowboy]

looks good Deon! Glad you didnt go with a white sink! Black looks slick!



PS: where did ya get the cabinets? If there custom... . did you forget about me and my dads cabinet shop? :-laf J/K!

 

[DLausche]

Thanks Matt. About the cabinets... sorry to have to tell ya, they are not custom but are premanufactured. Got them 6 years ago when funds were definitely tighter than now. I'm embarrassed to admit I got them from Home Depot. All-in-all, though, I think they look fairly decent for premanufactured cabinets.



You and dad will probably be getting a call from me when time comes to redo the kitchen upstairs. I may need to get in touch with him about working a 3/4 oak board down to 1/2 or so for the backsplash. I'm thinking a surface planer is the best tool for this type of job.



-Deon

 

[Alphacowboy]

hey, dont worry about it man, totally understand! Honestly, If I couldnt build cabinets myself, there is no way I probably could afford some of the stuff I build. Let me know though about the kitchen, I'll make sure my dad gives ya a good deal