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Materials
Lightweight, durable and easy to clean, stainless-steel sinks come in a plethora of shapes and sizes. Great in industrial-style kitchens, choose from highly polished or subtle brushed finishes. Although it's a low-cost option, cheaper designs can dent easily so pick lower-gauge models (16 is ideal) that have thicker steel.
Usually made from kiln-fired porcelain, ceramic sinks are known for being exceptionally hardwearing – they are heat, stain and scratch resistant. However, be careful with crockery as any heavy impact may cause it to smash, or indeed the sink to crack.
Corian can be moulded into any shape, meaning that sink and worktop can be made from the same piece of material to create a sleek surface. Although it can scratch, it is easily repaired.
Made from 80-85 per cent natural granite, which is ground up and mixed with resin to form an extremely tough material, 'granite can be moulded into any shape or size, creating designs that wouldn't be feasible with stainless steel,' says Neil Clark of sink specialist Carron Phoenix. Available in a host of shades, there's a hue for every kitchen.
Copper sinks have a warm, individual look, but do require some maintenance as they scratch easily and can get dark spots. Depending on your taste, they can be left to develop a rich, aged patina or can be repolished with abrasive cleaners. To avoid discolouration, they should be wiped dry after use.
Marble and other natural stone sinks can look amazing, but are best kept as prep sinks rather than for dishwashing, as they damage easily. Take care with cleaning products, and avoid bleach at all costs.
Quiet, resilient and softer than ceramics, wood warms up cool modern kitchens. Usually laminated teak composite, the wood is sealed using epoxy resin, which renders it tough and easy to clean.
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