Hi Practigal - I saw that and it answers a lot of questions. What I am trying to do beyond that is see why paying 3k over 900 is worth it. Anytime something seems too good to be true, it usually is.. heh

Russ

You seem to have your heart set on copper. I would definitely buy what you would like. I would just check the return policy before ordering in case they are not as nice in real life. I would only buy a custom sink, at custom sink prices, if I had to due to my kitchen configuration or if it was an unusual and beautiful looking sink... Keeping in mind of course the copper will turn brown...or green.

I personally am more concerned with backaches due to the depth of the sink, which depth is corrected by using grids in the sink which grids also save the sink bottom. I am not sure that I want to commit to using grids all of the time.

With a farmhouse sink, I know that I will never fill the entire basin with water (have you seen how big the farmhouse fireclay sink really is?) but will have to use plastic dishpans that would be stored under the sink for wash and rinse water and I think that pulling them up from under the sink and drying them and putting them away under the sink would get old very fast. So I am going to stick to a double basin, hopefully not too deep sink.

Currently, the Kohler Indio has my attention, I like that the faucet is in the sink, rather than on the countertop. I also like that it has the cutting board and colander that fit across the sink keeping all of the mess in the sink area rather than on the countertops. I hesitate to purchase any cast-iron sink because I do not think that they will work as well as those made 50 years ago when people were not aware of the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. However, DH really wants a white kitchen sink so I think that's the way we will end up going.

I am not set on copper.. actually am hesitant about it. I am going based on what others keep saying, that copper will go with the kitchen more. I am fine with it as I want the kitchen colors to 'flow', but I personally like the white sink a lot. Trying to keep my options over as I am not as good as the folks on here with matching colors etc...

I like Kholer, but wish they had a 30" farm sink vs the apron sink.

Russ

I have neither, but if you'll have a garbage disposal, research the fireclay sink/over-tightening issue. 'Forewarned is forearmed.'

GW discussions/fireclay sinks

yep.. been looking into that. Also have issues with copper sinks, but not the same type.. heh

Such hard decisions. I mean, once you find the right sink, then you have to match the BS to it..

On the good news side, I found a great place for the butcher counters. John Boos. Thinking the Cherry edge is a nicer blend than the Oak edge.

Oh yea, this is about sinks.. lol

Russ

Russ, Its never easy! Take a look at this 30" farm from Nantucket. 30" Fireclay

Copper sink price can and will swing wildly because of several factors:

Gauge - Some companies like Premier Copper Products have 14 gauge, hand hammered sinks with a Limited Lifetime warranty for manufacture's defects - Here is an FAQ about their product:Premier Copper FAQ

Other companies will be 16 gauge, which is nice for stainless and on the thin side for copper - copper is softer. With less material being used, the thinner sinks may be less expensive.

Both materials will have variations in size; upwards of 1/4 inch! This is from the variations caused by hand made manufacturing. With this being said, the sink should be at your home when the cabinets are being installed.

Good Luck!

From the more expensive sink site-

"I use only Cold Rolled 99.9%
pure virgin Copper 14 gauge
(much harder than annealed copper) Our copper has an RB hardness of 50. The yield strength is 63,600
pounds per square inch compared to 7,900 psi of annealed copper (generally used
by the imports). Yield strength is is an indication of a .2% movement under
stress. As you can see, our sinks are significantly stronger.
Don't be fooled by the other 14 gauge sinks out there. They
are likely using recycled annealed copper which is significantly softer than
ours. Our copper has an ASTM code of B370, which is 99.9% purity. We use a 122
alloy that is the highest grade of copper available for cold forming and
welding. For those of you who are detail oriented, here is a link that shows all of the specifications of 122 copper. Make sure you
look at the "Cold Drawn" section of the 122 copper. As you can see, the folks at
Coppersinkbuyingguide.org and the folks at Copper Sinks Online are misleading
the public in my opinion. There clearly is a difference in how the copper is
treated!"

The less expensive sink is 16 gauge and it doesn't mention if it is annealed or cold rolled.

It's worth more educational exploration.

Another more expensive option is Linkasink. The farmhouse is listed as 10g. Pricing is close to Raichelle for a 33" with a lifetime warranty.

http://www.supremekitchenbath.com/linkasink-c020-33-db-33-copper-farm-house-kitchen-sink-dark-bronze/

Home Depot also sells copper sinks that have very good reviews. Copper sinks do not require more care than any other sink if you understand/can live with/like the patina that will develop.

I used to have a copper sink many years ago. The one thing about copper is that you will inevitably get discoloration. Its the nature of copper to oxidize and change color. Unlike stainless steel with its nickel oxide layer that provides oxidation protection, copper, due to its "living" coating will in a few years or more (depending on usage and how often you dry it) will eventually change color. And at varying amounts in different places depending on frequency of water/soap/metal contact.

I don't like stainless steel as they look too utilitatrian, so I was thinking about Fireclay, until I noticed a new type of composite sink that is made by Houzer.

Its porcelain over steel and it carries a 10 year warranty. I saw a sample at some showroom and I was dared to scratch it with my key. I couldn't! Porcelain isn't a "living coating" like copper, so I know it will be stain proof.

http://www.houzersink.com/product-categories/porcelain-enameled-sinks/porcela-series/

I'm considering this one. They have pretty nice colors to boot. Anyone have any real life experience with the sink itself? (Not just a sample material that I tried to scratch)