How to choose the perfect kitchen sink for your home

Get the perfect design for your room using our guide to the best styles available

What are the options?

Built-in sinks they are the most common. Mounted in a hole cut in the countertop, the edge of the sink and the drainer (if any) are slightly raised and overlap the countertop.

Corner sinks They are usually recessed and have a drain board positioned at right angles to the sink. Ideal for small kitchens or utility rooms.

Built-in sinks they are placed under the countertop. They are not suitable for laminate countertops as the hole in the sink exposes the raw edges of the countertop. They work well with solid surface materials, such as stone, as you can have grooves cut in the work surface to provide a drainage area.

Overmounted sinks (sometimes called sit-down or stove-style sinks) sit directly above a base unit and the drain pipe connects through the countertop.

Belfast toilets and butler They are large, straight-sided, and ceramic. The front of the sink is usually exposed, but they can be mounted underneath or raised to sit on the countertop. The difference between Belfast and Butler sinks is that Belfast sinks have a full overflow, while Butler sinks do not.

Kitchen workstations they are freestanding sink units. The sink section (often white ceramic, but sometimes stainless steel) sits directly above a base unit.

What material?

Stainless steel provides the widest variety of styles and sizes. Prices vary depending on the grade of steel used. Stainless steel is strong, but relatively lightweight, durable, hygienic, heat and stain resistant, and easy to clean with detergent, but the surface can be easily scratched.

Ceramic The sinks are made of baked porcelain or fireclay. They are resistant to chemicals, stains and heat, but can chip or crack if heavy objects are dropped on them. Clean with a non-abrasive cleaner and dry after use to avoid limescale build-up.

Solid surfaces (like Corian) have a super stylish look, as the sinks can be mounted seamlessly, with no joints between them and the countertop. Sinks that combine a stainless steel base with solid Corian are also available. Solid surfaces are easy to clean with warm soapy water. They are also durable and resistant to heat, impacts and stains, and scratches on the surface can be erased with fine sandpaper.

Questions to consider

Double or single bowl? Most kitchens benefit from having a 1.5 or 1/2 bowl sink. If you entertain yourself a lot and have space, a double bowl or even two and a half are useful.

Sink or countertop faucet holes? Some sinks have a pre-drilled hole for a mixer tap. If not, taps will have to be mounted by drilling the necessary holes in the countertop.

Is it a DIY or professional job? You can fit a sink if you have some plumbing knowledge. A plumber will charge between £ 80 and £ 100 to replace the new one with the old one, and around £ 250 if you want to reposition the new sink.

Good to know Never put a dishwasher in a ceramic sink; Any gravel under the container will mark the surface.

About the author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *