Copper Sinks 101

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

There are a lot of copper sinks available – what should I be looking for?

The copper sink market can be confusing. We are often asked about the differences that exist between sinks you will find on Ebay, the internet or even the major home centers. Even if a sink looks similar, we can assure you that CopperSinksOnline does not and will not sell “seconds”. In addition, our sinks are the thickest gauge copper that we have seen available on the market. We are a US based company shipping from our warehouse in the Pacific Northwest. We have been selling sinks for many years and have a lengthy list of satisfied customers. We stand behind our sinks and our service and you will not only get what you paid for, but we are always available to help you with your sink even after the sale. You may find a similar looking sink for less money, but you will want to make sure that you are comparing “apples to apples”. You will be living with your sink for a long time and the last thing you want is to get a product that you might end up having to replace in a few years – or worse, dealing with a company that is here today and gone tomorrow…. You can buy from CopperSinksOnline with confidence knowing you are getting the best value for your money from a company that cares.

Is shipping really free?

Shipping is free to street addresses in the lower 48 United States on orders exceeding $100 in value. Free shipping is for regular ground shipment via UPS or other common carrier. For shipments that are outside the free shipping area or do not meet the $100 minimum, shipping charges are calculated on a per-product basis. Please make note of the shipping charges associated with each item where they apply.

How should I care for my copper sink?

Caring for our copper bowls is surprisingly easy and virtually maintenance free. For basic cleaning simply use a mild soap and water – other cleaners are not necessary. Copper will naturally patina over time and develop a warm medium patina and will not turn green – this is a common misperception. Do not use copper cleaners, abrasive materials or harsh chemicals – these can harm the surface.

Keep your basin and drain clean and dry by wiping it down after each use with a soft cloth. For extra protection, a product such as “Renaissance Wax” may be applied periodically. Enjoy the living qualities of your beautiful hand hammered sink… truly a unique and functional work of art!

What about the finish?

A copper finish is a living finish and never really stops changing in color. That being said, the evolution of a copper finish is gradual, and as it ages it becomes even more handsome. You can greatly reduce this change with the use of wax as mentioned above. Most often that process results in a mellow brownish weathered copper patina. We like to refer to it as the basins soul.

What finishes are available?

The finishes available are Dark Smoke, Rio Grande, Café Natural, Polished Copper, and Matte Copper.

What is the gauge of the copper used?

We use the thickest gauge copper you will find in the industry - 16 gauge copper for our bathroom sinks and 14 gauge copper for our kitchen sinks and tubs. The thickness of a copper sink is very important and we are the only company that refuses to use the thinner gauge copper (even though it is far less expensive). Why? Imagine the wear and tear a typical kitchen sink is subjected to over its lifetime. If you buy a kitchen sink that is the lighter 16 gauge material, the bottom and sides of the sink will become dented over time. The much thicker 14 gauge copper we use for our kitchen sinks is far more resistant to this type of wear and tear and will provide a lifetime of service. Sure, we could offer much lower pricing on our sinks by using the thinner gauge material, but you will not be happy over time. We have been in this business for many years and plan on being around even longer. We refuse to sell inferior products and will continue to offer strong, long-lasting copper sinks that are meant to endure for a lifetime.

What is the purity of the copper used in your sinks?

There are many myths and misnomers surrounding the subject of copper purity. Many companies claim to use “pure copper” without really understanding what this means. In order to provide a long lasting product, it is important that a small amount of zinc is added for strength and durability. The amount of zinc in our sinks is less than 1%, the rest is 99% copper. This “formula” has been proven to be the best for over 100 years.

Most of the copper used by any copper sink manufacturer is “reclaimed” and any impurities are removed during the smelting process. The difference between the copper used in our sinks and that used by other manufacturers is that we make sure there is absolutely no lead in the alloy. Sure, we could sell much less expensive copper sinks made in other parts of the world, but our experience has shown that many of these countries do not concern themselves with removing lead. We have always, and will continue, to make sure that our sinks are the longest lasting and safest available anywhere.

How are your seams welded?

There are many sinks coming into the marketplace with soldered seams. Soldered seams will not patina like the rest of the sink resulting in undesirable coloration over time. Our sinks are made using 100% copper welding and you will not have this type of problem.

What is UPC/IAPMO and is it important?

There has been some confusion spread around by a few companies about IAPMO ratings on sinks. The truth of the matter is that these companies pay to have their product submitted and approved for this listing. More importantly, having this sticker on the sink does not indicate "quality" --in fact, in some cases it is quite the opposite. Just because a product is listed does not mean that your local building codes will accept it. It means that it meets a standard set by the listing agency. Even though a product has a listing, it does not mean it is code compliant.

Our sinks are genuinely unique; hand hammered one-at-a-time by a skilled copper artisan. Due to this old world time intensive process, it is not practical to submit for IAPMO listing. Usually only companies who assembly-line stamp out their product in factories (rather than hand craft each item) will submit their product to IAPMO. Virtually none of our sinks have IAPMO stickers, yet they are amongst the highest quality sinks available anywhere. The codes governing sinks are usually general. You should always check with your local building officials if there is a concern, but you should not have a problem with our sinks.

Is Copper a sanitary material?

Interestingly enough, copper is more sanitary than most other basin materials and is actually “antibacterial”. Science shows us bacteria can live for days on a stainless steel surface, but for only a matter of hours on copper. As a matter of fact, there is a great deal of reconsideration going on in the commercial food preparation industry regarding this very issue.

Is the drain included with my purchase?

Drains are not included, however are available to order for your sink. We have a large selection of drain styles and finishes to accompany your new sink.

Will the template for the basin be supplied?

Due to the variation in dimensions of our handcrafted basins (up to 1/2"), we do not supply templates. We recommend waiting to receive your actual bowl before making any cuts in the counter top.

Does Copper Sinks Online offer special orders or custom sizes?

Absolutely! The beauty of artisan crafted copper is that we can offer special ordering on a made to order basis. Please give us a call for a price quote and lead time information.

Can the Copper bowls be under mounted?

All of the bowls with a flat lip can be installed as an under mount or drop-in (self rimming). Rounded lip sinks can only be installed as drop-ins.

What precautions should I use with my copper sink?

Do not use corrosives such as chlorine or concentrated vinegar on the copper sinks and/or abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals. These may damage the finish of the copper sink.

What maintenance is required for my sink?

Caring for our copper bowls is surprisingly easy and virtually maintenance free. Please visit "Copper Maintenance Instructions" for details.