When it comes to choosing a sink for the kitchen, the butler and Belfast sinks are among the most sought-after for sure. They are simple but stylish enough to give your entire kitchen a whole new look and the best thing is that they can complement almost any kitchen style. When in the search for the right sink for your kitchen, you must know that these two types look almost the same. However, there is a slight difference between them which you must know in order to opt for the right one.

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The most important difference between these two is in the appearance. Unlike Belfast, Butler sinks are wider and shallower. In the past, the Butler type of sinks didn't have an overflow, however, in today's modern versions, this feature is also an option. So, in fact, the main difference between these two is in the design. Nowadays, you can choose from a large selection of materials, sizes, and colours of the amazing Butler kitchen sink options giving you the opportunity to find the perfect match for your kitchen and space.

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The difference between these two types of sinks dates way back to Victorian times. The Butler type of sink was originally designed for the Butler's pantry in London, when London had far less readily available water. In other words, in that time, London was in very short supply of fresh water, and because of that in that time sinks were designed specifically to conserve water.

This, in fact, was the main difference between these two sinks. The Belfast type comes as an upgrade of the Butler type of sink. Just like the butler, the Belfast sinks were also mainly used by butlers. And since Belfast is located on the coast, obtaining enough water was less of a problem which is why these sinks have a slightly different design.

Back in the 18th century in London, the water needed to be drawn from deep wells which is why the sinks were designed to conserve water. In that time, the Butler types of sinks were made without a weir overflow, however, these days you can also find Butler sinks that have a small overflow feature on them.

Over the years, the Butler kitchen sink has increased in size since the water supply was not a big issue anymore. However, the basic differences between these two types of sinks remain the same. In the past, the Butler kitchen sinks were designed wider and shallower in comparison to the Belfast types. Thanks to their design, these sinks were still able to encourage the conservation of water while still fitting into kitchen cabinets. Ever since their appearance in the past, the Belfast kitchen sinks were deeper since conserving water was not a problem in the Belfast area.

Regarding the material, kitchen sinks can be made of several out of which, porcelain or enamel and fireclay are among the most commonly used options.

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Fireclay is a material which is created when clay and glaze fuse together after being fired at very high temperatures. According to experts and professionals, fireclay is an extremely durable ceramic material, one that is hard and almost identical to enamel cast iron. Another advantage of sinks made of this material is that fireclay is non-porous, it's resistant to scratches, acid and alkali. Additionally, this is also a material where chips are almost impossible to be seen. hence the perfect choice for kitchen sinks.

Porcelain and enamel sinks over cast-iron are also a popular choice in sinks. Sinks made of this material are durable and stylish, available in different shapes and colours. Just like the old and good stainless steel sinks, the porcelain ones are also resistant to hot and cold objects, however, these sinks can be easily damaged by sharp impacts. Another thing to have in mind is that by cleaning it aggressively or with a too aggressive product, this will lead to dirt accumulation.

Enamel over cast iron is quite similar to porcelain, however, these sinks are less rugged and less expensive alternative. These sinks are extremely easy to clean and are available in a range of colours, sizes, shapes and designs.

Composite sinks are usually made of quartz or granite mix with an acrylic binder. Sinks made of this material are also hard and resistant to scratches. Granite, quartz composite and soapstone are among the three most popular types out of which the granite composite is extremely popular these days. Stylish, appealing, scratch, chip and heat-resistant, these sinks will not suffer if a hot pan is placed on it.

As you can see, there are plenty of materials and colours to choose from, and while this is important, choosing the right type is essential as well. Make sure to measure carefully how much free space you have, and choose a sink that will fit perfectly in the designated space while meeting your personal needs and style.