don't want to go the route of those new granite/solid surface ones either. so i think it's gotta be cast iron? I'm sure that's what all the sinks I had when growing up, married and since have been tho. Just wanted to check about them going into a mfg home. I don't think there should be a problem. they can't be that heavy and I'll be putting in a new counter top at the time also.

anyone know of any cons to it? anything that would be better w/o costing a bundle? i'm not one willing to pay 400.00 or more for a sink! thinking more around 200.00 or so.

We had the Kohler Executive Chef (porcelain clad cast iron) for 15 yrs. It looked as good when it was pried out as it did when first put in. And BTW, it took two men to do it. They are HEAVY.

We replaced it with a Swanstone solid surface (not their granite, which is a Silgranit competitor) extra-large single. It is in every way superior to the cast iron - quieter, easier to clean, just as strong but much lighterweight - plus it can be either a drop-in or undermount, which is a nice touch. We happen to like the matte surface, although not everyone does.

If you have a strict budget, I'd suggest stainless steel. You can get a decent SS sink for that amount. I wouldn't touch the acrylic sinks, myself. I consider it an inferior material for sinks and tubs. It's brittle and not very strong.

I knew cast iron would be heavy...but not that heavy. wow! I do like the shiny of the enamel/porcelain on cast iron - and I would expect it to last out the rest of my lifetime - it wouldn't really get that much use in my place. Less than my sink here has had in the past 11 yrs as i'll be putting in a DW also. and it's just me and i use paper and plastic a lot.
i thought the same about acrylic. I'm sure it would be like the tub i have here - and every time I get in the shower (combo) I fear it'll fall thru! and the same as my sister had in her mfg home (before they built). I want real sinks in my place.

would the cast iron be too heavy for a mfg home? should I have them put extra braces under it? I have a good 6 months to decide. Maybe I'll see a swanstone sink in a store and can evaluate it better. I do want a drop in one.

I don't like the matte in a sink - i did look at the other granite ones but all that i saw didn't have rounded corner in them. I think the unrounded corners might be harder to clean.

the kohler I've looked at and liked (online) are running up around 300.00. that'd be ok too if it's what i like and it's deep enough. but i'm not one to pay like 800.00 for a sink.

the most abuse mine will probably get is the weight of the dust on it...lol! it's just me here and I do use a lot of paper plates etc.

I guess i could drop a pot into it during one of my infrequent cooking adventures. I probably need a rubber sink - lol!

have you looked at the new Formica granites? some nice ones! I'm going to order a sample of 3 of them I think - but I really think I'll end up getting the butterum I've been planning on. It looks great with the cabs I want and with bisque - which I really like.