In addition to thinking about
which fixtures and materials you would prefer when choosing your kitchen sink, it’s also worth considering what you
intend to use the sink for—are you an avid cook, or someone who doesn’t spend much time in the kitchen?—and
how much counter space you can afford to sacrifice for it.
DECIDE ON
THE TYPE OF SINK
To choose a sink, figure out
the size of the cabinet or unit it will sit in (it must be big enough to house
the bowl), the depth and width of the
counter, and what you will use the sink for; if you cook most nights, you’ll
need at least a sink and a half.
SINGLE SINK
If you have a compact kitchen,
or rarely use your sink, a single bowl
will be more than adequate. Single sinks
are available in various designs and come in a range of sizes and shapes.
ONE-AND-A-HALF
SINKS
A one-and-a-half sink allows
you to perform more than one task at any
time. The full-sized bowl can be used
for washing dishes and the smaller half sink for rinsing them and for food preparation.
DOUBLE SINK
Double sinks have two bowls
with the same dimensions, although
sometimes the second bowl is slightly
smaller. This allows you to deal with bigger jobs at the same time, such as washing dishes and soaking pans.
TWO-AND-A-HALF
SINKS
This type of sink, with two
large bowls and a small third bowl,
which can be used for food preparation or for a garbage disposal unit, gives you the most washing options. Its size means it is only
really suitable for larger kitchens.
DRAINBOARDS
Some people have a strong
preference for having the drain board on
one side of the sink rather than the
other. However, it is usually more
important to think about which configuration
will best suit your space. Go for the
arrangement that seems the least disruptive in how it affects the countertop run.
DECIDE ON THE MOUNTING
Some sinks are designed to be
mounted beneath the counter, and top and look much more streamlined than those that
are surface-mounted. However,
surface-mounted sinks are easier to install and are therefore usually the
cheaper option.
INSET
Inset sinks are fixed into
place so that the rim of the sink stands slightly above the countertop. They are available in a wide
range of sizes and designs, with various drain board options, and are suitable for use with all countertop
materials.
FLUSH-MOUNTED
A flush-mounted sink has a fine
lip around its edge that sits on a recessed inset cut into the countertop to give a near seamless
edge. A silicon seal holds the sink in place and makes the area around it watertight. It is not suitable for wood or
laminate counters.
UNDERMOUNTED
This sink, as its name
suggests, is installed beneath the counter surface to leave the edge of the counter on show. It can only
be used with solid counters such as stone or Corian, and if you want a drain board you will need to have
some grooves cut or routed into the
surface of your counter.
INTEGRAL
Made from the same piece of
composite or stainless steel as your countertop, integral sinks give a sleek look that is hygienic,
since there aren’t any seams. This can be expensive and you will need to have grooves cut or stamped into the
surface to create a draining area.
FARM SINK
Typically rectangular in
shape, these sinks are good to work sinks that provide a classic country look as well. These sinks sit
below the countertop, with the front of
the sink on show.
CHOOSE THE FINISH
The choice of sink finishes
available is vast. Choose a hard-wearing option that will be easy to clean; some materials show stains and scratch more readily, while
others look as good after years of use
as they did on day one. Check, too, if
it complements the counter, which is the real showpiece.
STAINLESS STEEL
The most popular choice,
stainless steel is durable,
hard-wearing, and easy to look after.
Prices can vary hugely, from low to
high, depending on the design and quality
PORCELAIN
Heat-, stain-, and scratch-resistant,
a porcelain sink is a robust mid-price
choice, although there is a minor risk
that a heavy item dropped on it could
cause it to crack.
GRANITE
Granite sinks are made of
80–85% ground natural granite mixed with
resin. Although expensive, they are
hard-wearing and available in a wide
range of colours.
CORIAN
This solid surface sink has a
hard-wearing semi-matte, nonporous finish
and is medium to high in price. Any
scratches have to be removed professionally.
COMPOSITE
Made from resin, minerals, and
acrylic, this mid-priced sink has a
smooth or grainy texture. It comes in a
range of colours (in hard-water areas,
pale colours may stain).
COPPER
Although an expensive choice
for sinks, copper offers good
antibacterial properties. Keep it clean
with soap and water. In hard-water areas, dry it with a soft cloth after use.
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