Monday, April 15, 2019

Vintage-Style Cast Acrylic Sinks


Looking for a vintage-style sink for your kitchen or bathroom? Vintage-style sinks add character to a new home, and authenticity to an older one but searching for and restoring a vintage piece is not easy or cheap. If you're not willing to put in the time to source a vintage sink for your project but want authentic retro style consider a Cast Acrylic reproduction as a practical and affordable alternative.

Why Chose Cast Acrylic over Cast Iron?


Cast Acrylic sinks have several benefits over traditional cast iron originals and make great alternatives, including:
  • A fraction of the weight of the cast iron alternatives for a lighter installation weight.
  • More impact resistant than porcelain to withstand chips when heavy items are dropped in the sink.
  • UV resistant to avoid fading or yellowing with use.
  • Vintage-style cast acrylic sinks are drilled to accommodate standard modern plumbing.

The cast iron sinks popular in the 19th and 20th centuries were made by firing a shiny porcelain coating on top of a cast iron base. The resulting vessel was durable and easy to clean, but also susceptible to staining and chips. And never drop a glass or plate into a cast iron sink - the hard material could easily cause it to break. Cast acrylic sinks are made by molding acrylic material into the sink form and letting it harden. This results in a seamless sink made from solid acrylic which will not chip - but has much of the same design aesthetic as the original.


36" x 24" Single Bowl Rolled Rim Farmhouse Sink Reproduction in Cast Acrylic


NBI Drainboard Sinks, based in Alachua, Florida, manufactures cast acrylic sinks in the USA which replicate the unique details of cast iron originals. Their sinks come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 5-year defect warranty. Let's take a look at their offering for both kitchens and bathrooms and see how a modern replica sink can save you time, energy, money, and maintenance over their vintage original counterparts.

Cast Acrylic Bathroom Sinks

Acrylic Alternative to the Kohler Brockway


If you're looking for an alternative to the Kohler Brockway wash sink that is easier to maintain, lighter in weight and more affordable, consider a reinforced cast acrylic model. Available in both single and double widths, these sinks have the same vintage good looks with the benefit of not chipping as the acrylic finish is throughout - not baked on like the porcelain finish of a cast iron sink.

There are so many great applications of this timeless sink design, from small powder rooms, laundry rooms or even a utility sink in a garage or potting shed.  My favorite is in a children's bathroom where the easy-to-clean finish and wall mounting option makes this the perfect sink to slide a stepstool under, or keeps the floor clear for a basket of bath toys. The painted finish options provide a fun pop of color in options ranging from Jade Dragon to Classic Black.

Need a sink for this sink? An option with an integrated soap dish like the American Standard Heritage Wall Mount is a great choice.

Double Cast Acrylic Utility Sink

Cast Acrylic Kitchen Sinks

Vintage and retro looks are hot for kitchens, but I can't think of a place in the house where a new, clean modern sink is more important (well, except for the bathroom, of course.) If you want to use modern plumbing, connect to a waste disposal system, or have additional holes for a sprayer, a new reproduction sink is the way to go.

Are you restoring an original kitchen and want to replace your well-worn vintage sink? You can shop the full collection of NBI Sinks options to find a low-maintenance substitute with the same lines as your original sink from their extensive sink collection. Here are a few favorites, below.


For the kitchen, butler's pantry or laundry room, nothing beats the elegant simplicity of a rolled-edge inset vintage farmhouse sink. This model from NBI Drainboard Sinks improves on the original with faucet holes drilled on 8" centers to accommodate modern faucets, a mid-height backsplash so not to obstruct over-the-sink windows, a deeper basin, and is waste system compatible. It also comes in 5 color choices including white, almond and grey. The 5-year manufacturer's warranty, 30-day return policy, and Free Shipping make this an easy choice for your project.

Complete the look with this vintage-style cross-handle wall mounted faucet by Kingston Brass.


Single Bowl Drainboard Sink in Cast Acrylic

If you're looking to replace a mid-century sink or create a midcentury modern look in your new kitchen, explore these replica drainboard sinks in cast acrylic. This practical style incorporates sink and drainboard into a solid surface sink with no seams, perfect for food prep and dish drying. The integrated 4" backsplash and molded soap dish complete the look allowing for a sleek, minimalist design perfect in your 1950s or 1960's style kitchen. This sink is also available in double-bowl and left or right drainboard styles in the NBI Drainboard Etsy Shop.




Apron sinks are hugely popular and available in cast iron and fireclay models in most traditional kitchen outlets. Having owned a fireclay apron sink myself, I can attest to the fact that they had a few downsides. Once or twice I misjudged the front edge of the sink when dumping in a pot and ended up with a chip on the rim. I've also broken many a glass that was accidentally dropped into the hard brittle bowl. I even walked into the front apron once with a knife in my hand and created a small dent in the formerly smooth apron surface that I loved so much.

A cast acrylic option like the one pictured above provides many benefits including being lighter in weight and easier to maintain and virtually chip-proof. This model includes double basins of staggered height (8" and 11") to allow for various uses in the kitchen, and have 3.5" drain holes to accommodate waste disposal systems. Click through it see more interior images of this model on Etsy.

Looking for the right wall-mounted pull-down faucet to complete this look? Here are some options available from Home Depot.


More Authentic Bathroom Vanities



No comments:

Post a Comment