Kitchens Top Performer

The best quality and workmanship can be hard to find in this age of overseas manufacturing. That’s where SplashWorks comes in — a kitchen and bath supplier in San Jose that offers its customers only products that have longevity and beauty. Among such products is the fireclay sink, an old-fashioned, porcelain-type sink.

Eric Nelson is the owner of SplashWorks. The products in his 3,500 square-foot showroom come largely from Europe, where they are typically made by artisans who have been in the business for decades or generations and the atmosphere is small and family-run.

These manufacturers take “care and pride” in their work, says Eric. “The chances of the product being faulty is slim to none, and it should last years and years.”

Compare this to much of the manufacturing coming out of countries like China, where a factory will often outsource a job to another factory, which could be making not only faucets, but other products like cars and toys. Such a model means less investment in the quality of the product, says Eric.

FIRECLAY SINKS
Fireclay sinks are the best-quality porcelain-type sink available. The sink is known for its durability, achieved by firing the clay sink at 2,200 degrees, which solidifies it. The sink, which is not porous, is scratch and stain-resistant. The other porcelain option is porcelain over cast iron, which is not as durable.

The classic fireclay sink is the apron-front style. In the last 15 or so years an under-mount sink has become available, where the kitchen counter sits on top of the sink. SplashWorks offers fireclay sinks from Allia by Rohl, which produces its sinks in Limoges, France, the biggest fireclay region in the world.

Since the lead was removed from porcelain-over-cast-iron sinks several years ago by law, which made that sink less durable, the market for fireclay sinks has taken off, says Eric. Fireclay sinks have been around for perhaps a couple of hundred years, a testament to their durability.

THE BEST OF THE BEST
Established in the kitchen and bath business for 22 years, Eric is able to hand-pick the best products in the plumbing industry. The industry has exploded exponentially in terms of the products available from around the world. Eric and his staff do all the research for their customers, from kitchen sinks and faucetry to bathtubs and toilets.

The SplashWorks team has over 70 years of experience between them. The store is Diamond Certified, the ultimate recognition from the industry. Their extensive product offering is not found at most plumbing showrooms in the area. For the best in plumbing fixtures including fireclay sinks, one need look no further than SplashWorks.

To see the company’s selection of high-quality kitchen and bath fixtures, visit the SplashWorks Diamond Certified showroom at 1284 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose’s downtown Willow Glen area. For more information, call (408) 279-5202 or visit www.splashworkskb.com.