Colored Sinks: Why PVD Sinks Are Best for Multifamily Builders

PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. It’s a process for improving stainless steel sinks to make them stronger, more durable, and longer lasting. It can even make kitchen sinks easier to clean.

The main advantage is color coating that won’t scratch, peel, or flake. Meaning the sink is easier to maintain and won’t lose its looks with regular use. (More on the manufacturing process in Chapter 4!)

But how does uncoated stainless steel compare to stainless steel sinks with PVD?

Is PVD better than stainless steel?

As you can see, PVD has a lot going for it. But let’s dig into those perks to see why it appeals to residents, and why it’s great for builders, too.

Colored sinks are nothing new, and there are plenty of options out there. So how does PVD stack up compared to other types of colored sinks?

So what does all that mean for multifamily builds, specifically?

PVD strikes the perfect balance between luxury looks, and ease of transport. Your team won’t struggle to lug it around your worksite or risk breaking it during the install. And installing a PVD sink is much easier than heavier materials.

Plus, most stainless steel and PVD sinks can be stacked, saving space during shipping and keeping your worksite efficient.

It’s durable, with a great lifespan, and even the most choosy residents will love how it looks.

Relative to other colored sink options like brass, copper, and granite, it’s also relatively affordable. However, your budget may not have a lot of wiggle room, especially if you’re working on a large multifamily build.

For most multifamily building projects,uncoated stainless steel still offers the most bang for buck. 

But PVD can give your luxury apartments, high-end condos, or suburban development projects a major edge over the competition. So it’s an ideal option to deliver the unique luxury look most high-end residents want.

That makes it a clear front-runner if you’re looking for the best colored sinks for multifamily residential builds.

So we can see why it’s a favorite for residents and builders alike.

But how are PVD sinks made? What is the manufacturing process, and what types of finishes can you find?

The PVD process is amazingly versatile. It can add coatings to everything from glass to nylon and ceramic.

In kitchen faucets, PVD coatings are frequently added to bases of stainless steel, brass, copper, zinc, and plastic.

For kitchen sinks, stainless steel is the most common base for PVD. 

As we already saw, stainless steel is already corrosion-resistant, durable, and strong. The PVD process takes all those great properties of an excellent material and takes them to the next level.

It enhances the aesthetic appeal, lifespan, and easy maintenance stainless steel already offers. 

That’s not to say it’s the only base. We may see PVD added to many types of sink bases in the future. But for now, the vast majority of PVD sinks have a stainless steel base.

Next, let’s look at what materials are used for PVD coatings.

There are many compounds and materials that can be used to create a PVD coating. Many are metals or contain metal components, but not all.

Each material brings its own unique properties and colors to the kitchen sink. So how do you know which materials are best?

Here are a few of our top picks.

1. Titanium Nitride (TiN).
   
   Durability: Extremely high
   How it looks : Gold finish, luxurious and modern look
   Resistance: Excellent resistance to scratches, wear, and corrosion
   Lifespan: 20+ years
   
   Advantages: Striking gold finish that is both stylish and highly resistant to wear and tear.
   
   Best for: A long-lasting, luxurious appearance.
   
   
2. Zirconium Nitride (ZrN)
   
   Durability: Very high
   How it looks: Gold or champagne finish, elegant and sophisticated
   Resistance: High resistance to corrosion, wear, and scratches
   Lifespan: 20+ years
   
   Advantages: Similar durability to Titanium Nitride but with a slightly different shade of gold, often appearing more champagne-like. 
   
   Best for: Durability and a unique color.
   
   
3. Chromium Nitride (CrN)
   
   Durability: High
   How it looks: Silver or metallic finish, sleek and modern
   Resistance: Excellent resistance to corrosion and moderate resistance to scratches
   Lifespan: 15-20 years
   
   Advantages: Sleek, modern metallic look with excellent corrosion resistance. 
   
   Best for: A durable silver finish that complements a variety of kitchen styles.
   
   
4. Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN)
   
   Durability: Very high
   How it looks: Dark gray to black finish, modern and sophisticated
   Resistance: Superior resistance to heat, wear, and corrosion
   Lifespan: 20+ years
   
   Advantages: High heat resistance and extreme durability. 
   
   Best for: A contemporary touch that elevates any kitchen.
   
   
5. Carbon-Based Coatings:
   
   Durability: Extremely high
   How it looks: Black finish, sleek and elegant
   Resistance: Exceptional resistance to scratches, wear, and corrosion
   Lifespan: 20+ years
   
   Advantages: Incredibly hard and durable, providing superior resistance to scratches and wear; low friction, making a sink easy to keep clean and preventing bacterial buildup. 
   
   Best for: An elegant and highly functional focal point in modern kitchen designs.

Your coating selection will largely depend on what color sink you’re looking for. Even from one gold finish to another, there are variations in each material’s tone that will make it more or less appropriate for a specific kitchen design.

Now we know what our base and coating materials may be. But what does the PVD process entail?

Before applying the coating, the base will be thoroughly cleaned to remove contaminants. Usually, that includes ultrasonic cleaning, polishing, and completely drying.

The basin is then placed into the vacuum chamber. The high vacuum removes air and contaminants, creating an ideal environment for the coating process.

In many cases, the sink will also be etched with a high-energy argon plasma inside the chamber. This roughens the surface, improving mechanical retention of the coating.

The coating material is then vaporized using one of several methods such as:

• Cathodic arc - an electric arc vaporizes the coating material
• Sputtering - ions are accelerated at the material, ejecting atoms
• Evaporation - the material is heated until it vaporizes

With the coating turned into a vapor, manufacturers can then deposit it onto the sink surface. This happens by applying high voltage to the parts, which draws the vaporized material onto the sink.

From there, small amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon-containing gasses are added to the chamber. These gasses combine with the vaporized metal to create a new compound material with the colors and functional characteristics we want to create.

After that, the chamber is cooled and brought back to atmospheric pressure.

To stay competitive in today’s home building market, it’s worth leaning into environmental considerations like LEED certification.

Today’s residents and homeowners are more aware than ever of the environmental impact their home may have. They care about choosing the right materials to minimize the negative impact their home may have on the environment.

They’re also concerned about materials that could harm their health with exposure over time.

So, is PVD eco-friendly, and is it safe?

In short, yes. The PVD process is a highly efficient process that eliminates many potentially harmful materials that are used in other manufacturing processes.

• Reduced Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): PVD is a dry and vacuum-based process that eliminates the use of liquid solvents and the associated VOC emissions. This results in improved air quality and a safer working environment, minimizing health risks for workers. It also reduces pollution output overall.
  
  
• Minimal Waste: The PVD process generates very minimal waste and has no environmentally dangerous by-products. This reduces the environmental footprint of the manufacturing process and eliminates the need for costly waste management systems.
  
  
• Energy Efficiency: PVD coating manufacturing can be highly energy-efficient due to the controlled vacuum environment, which allows for precise deposition. Optimized energy use in the PVD process leads to significant energy savings compared to traditional coating methods.
  
  
• Extended Product Lifespan: PVD coatings can provide enhanced wear and corrosion resistance, extending the lifespan of coated products. Longer-lasting products reduce the need for frequent replacements, conserving resources and reducing overall material consumption.
  
  
• Elimination of Hazardous Chemicals: PVD does not involve the use of hazardous chemicals, acids, or pigments in its process. This reduces the risk of environmental contamination and ensures compliance with environmental regulations, creating a safer and more sustainable manufacturing process.
  
  
• Worker Safety: By avoiding the use of caustic chemicals and hazardous materials, PVD processes create a safer working environment for employees. This reduces health risks and potential accidents.

So not only is PVD a selling point from a design and use standpoint. It also has great potential appeal in terms of the manufacturing process itself.

As you can see, PVD’s growing popularity is well-earned. The process is predictable, efficient, and only getting better.

So what does the future hold for PVD kitchen sinks?

While they’re more expensive than uncoated stainless steel sinks, PVD kitchen sinks are at the lower end of the price range for colored kitchen sinks.

High-quality colored kitchen sinks add luxury and opulence to any kitchen design. In turn, luxury fixtures and attractive kitchens increase your project’s value per square foot. PVD is an excellent option for creating updated kitchens that are on-trend and appealing to residents and buyers with bigger budgets. 

Yes. PVD coatings improve the already notable durability of stainless steel sinks. The coating enhances stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion, scratches, and discoloration? In fact, PVD coatings can even prevent dents. 

It comes down to the manufacturing process. PVD coating bonds to the substrate at the microscopic level, and is impossible to remove without damaging the sink itself. This results in a thin, yet extremely hard and durable coating that integrates with the sink’s surface.

Contrary to misconceptions about PVD, it is highly resistant to scratches and stands up well to daily use. In the extremely unlikely event that a PVD sink gets scratched, the coating can’t be polished or repaired without stripping and recoating the sink. 

After the PVD coating process, a microscopic sanding step can be applied. This technique smooths out any imperfections and gently “scuffs” the top surface, which helps to reduce the risk of scratches. The result is a smoother, more resilient surface that can withstand everyday use. 

Another effective method is to apply the PVD coating to an already-textured, embossed stainless steel surface. This approach increases the overall durability of the sink and greatly reduces the chances of scratching. The textured surface provides an extra layer of protection, making the sink more resistant to the wear and tear of daily life.

Like stainless steel, a PVD sink just needs to be washed with mild dish soap and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. In fact, many types of PVD coating are lower friction than uncoated stainless, meaning debris will not stick as easily. That makes PVD sinks antimicrobial and easier to keep clean than other materials.

Installing a PVD coated kitchen sink is generally the same as any other sink in a similar design. Except that it’s easier than with heavier materials like fireclay. That makes it an excellent choice for streamlining workflow on your construction site and keeping your project running on time.