Selecting what type of kitchen sink is best for you is critical. Every kitchen needs a sink. That is a given. After all, it is one of the most used features in a home. At the end of the day, many find the style is secondary to practicality. Still tripping over style and themes? No problem. Think practical with stylish faucets that add trendy style and flair.
How do you know what’s right? Learn the lingo. Learn about materials. Understand your choices. With that under your belt, you’ll know which is best for you. Think about how this impacts daily living before making your final choice.
Start with the basics
Will it be a large single kitchen sink vs double bowl sink?
Large single kitchen sinks are great for enormous pots and pans. They are often used in commercial kitchens.
Double bowl sinks have a partition between to sinks. These are the most common and are great for multipurpose use. Rinse and wash dishes on one side, then dry and drain on the other. Put dirty dishes on one side while washing and prepping food on the other. If space is not an issue, consider too large bowl sizes even if one is shallower than the other. This gives you space for working.
Look for a built-in drainboard. This handy feature makes clean up, well, cleaner. Easily wipe them clean while water from drying dishes drains back into the sink.
How Deep Should a Kitchen Sink Be?
Depth of the sink depends on your back and height. Deeper sinks are great for soaking things. Splashing is reduced. Extra space allows you to put more in them. It also gives you more space while scrubbing. There is a downside. Whether you are tall or short, deeper sinks are harder on the back and neck. A shallow sink at 8 inches or less is going to be easiest on everyone. Standard sink depth varies between 6 to 10 inches. Want both? Consider a double bowl sink with a shallow side and a deeper side.
Top Mount vs Undermount Sink
Top mount sinks or drop-in sinks have a lip that goes over the counter. They drop into a hole in the counter. Sinks have a lip or rim that rests on the counter. This holds the sink in place. They don’t have single line modern sleekness and the lip tends to accumulate scum. Many come with their own faucets so once installed everything is ready to go.
Undermount sinks mount underneath the counter. There is no lip or rim with the edge of the counter dropping straight into the sink. Clean, smooth modern lines make cleaning easier. Everything wipes straight into the sink. They cost more to install. Depending on their weigh, theyt may need more support. Most undermount sinks do not come with faucets. Separately purchased faucets get installed outside the sink bowl. Keep in mind undermount sinks tend to be 1 ½ inch lower than top mount sinks.
Farmhouse sinks also know as apron front sinks give a more country-style feel to a room. They come in a single bowl or double bowl styles. They come as top mount or undermount. Their front apron distinguishes them from other sinks. The front apron stands out from the rest of the kitchen counter and cupboards.
What is the Best Kitchen Sink Material?
There are many kitchen sink material choices. Each has strengths and weaknesses. Costs vary.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
According to the manufacturer, Franke, at least 70% of sinks are made with stainless steel. Versatile and Inexpensive, stainless steel comes in many shapes and sizes. It is offered by a wide range of manufacturers. Hands down it is one of the best kitchen sink materials out there. It is resistant to heat and stains, and it does not chip or crack.
The gauge or thickness varies. The gauge has little effect in overall quality. Most sinks fall between 18 to 22 gauge. On the flip side, heavier gauges are more dent-resistant and a little less noisy.
Noise an issue? Consider noise-resistant spray-on coatings and paddings made specifically for sinks. No matter the gauge, stainless steel sinks tend to accumulate scratches, watermarks, and fingerprints.
Granite Composite Sinks
Composite means a mix. Composite sinks are usually 80% granite or quartz combined with 20% resin. The end result is an aesthetically pleasing, durable and relatively stain-resistant sink. Lighter colored sinks can stain. Not only are they scratch and chip resistant, but they have high heat resistance. Item of note: overtime, granite tends to hold up better than quartz. Sinks tend to need more daily maintenance.
Soap Stone Sinks
Planning on using your kitchen for mad experiments? This sink material will be perfect for you. Scientist love it as it is naturally resistat to bacterial growth. It is non-reactive so acids should not be a problem. The downside is it scratches and chips easily.
Copper Sinks
From a design standpoint, stunning options are available when using copper. Over time, sink color grows and changes as it develops a patina. Another big plus is its resistance to bacterial growth. Thicker gauges are more resistant to denting and noise. Like stainless steel, an undercoating or padding can reduce noise. Realize it reacts to acids, cleaning chemicals and heat. You’ll need to clean regularly, adding a lot of elbow grease, if you do not want the patina to develop.
Cast Iron Enamal Sinks
With the glossy enamel surfaces, these sinks are still a popular option. They add a vintage air to any kitchen. With proper care, enamel surfaces can last decades. Be careful what you drop in them. Modern enamel is very strong, but enamel can chip. Drop a very heavy pot in it and the iron may become exposed. Iron rusts once exposed. Another plus with enamel is it holds its color. Easily match kitchen cabinet colors to the sink. These sinks are heavy and need extra support.
Fireclay Enamal Sinks
This is a less known type made with molded ceramic. They are then finished with a porcelain enamel and fired at extremely high temperatures for about 20 hours. Enamel fuses to the clay which creates a very strong sink. Unlike cast iron sinks, you do not have to worry about rust if the enamel chips. Fireclay kitchen sinks can crack. Proper installation minimizes future cracking. Do your homework on installers.
What type of Kitchen Sink is Best for You?
Our design experts are happy to sit down with you and go over what type of kitchen sink is best for you. We go through everything in small steps. This makes the end result stunning without it being overwhelming. Give yourself the lifestyle you desire as you start on your new home adventure. Call us at 405-520-0238 or schedule a consultation.