Kitchen Sink

When planning to buy a new kitchen sink, it is easy to get overwhelmed with so many options. In fact, as you are researching these available options, you will find that there is a sink for every need suitable to all kinds of budgets.

However, before you willy-nilly make a buying decision, there are a lot of things you need to keep in mind, such as size, material, mounting method etc., and this is what this article is about!

Read on to learn more! 

Determine the right size

When buying a new sink, you need to start by determining its size. If you are replacing an old sink, you already know what size to buy unless you are planning to replace the counter too. However, if you are building a new kitchen from scratch, you will need to know much more than just the sink size. The kitchen sink is measured across three dimensions – front-to-back, side-to-side, and depth. You can choose from a variety of depths that can be picked from one manufacturer to another.

Mounting methods

Another important consideration is whether to Buy Undermount Kitchen Sink or overmount one. Undermount sinks have moulded edges that sit on the countertop. Even though they are the easiest to install, crumbs may collect where the sink and countertop meet. There is also a rimless variety of under-mount sinks attached to the counter's underside. Another type of sink is called a flush-mounted sink, which is supported by metal strips around the perimeter or merges as an integral part of the countertop material. Even though its installation is tricky, it is simpler to maintain and keep clean.

Check mounting holes for fixtures.

You must also look into mounting holes for fixtures when choosing a bowl configuration. Most kitchen sinks usually come with four holes to mount faucets and accessories. If you want to add a faucet sprayer, hot water dispenser, water filter spout, liquid soap dispenser, etc., you must look for sinks that provide you with mounting holes. Some sinks may even provide fixes for mounting accessories in addition to the usual spots. If you cannot find a sink with enough holes for the device you want, you can also get it custom-made or order a special one. Some even choose to drill a hole using stainless steel sinks. Alternatively, if you do not wish to use extra holes present in your sink, you can buy some plugs to shut the holes.

Choose your kitchen sink material wisely.

Stainless steel is the most common and practical kitchen sink material. They are available in different price ranges. However, remember that you get what you pay for. A cheap stainless steel sink is made of thin metal sheets. It could be more sturdy and get scratched easily. It will make an annoying throbbing sound when you run water in it.
On the other hand, a higher quality stainless steel sink will last you for years to come. It not only looks much cleaner but is also much easier to maintain. Don't be tempted to buy a sink with a mirror finish. It looks attractive at first, but it takes a lot of effort to remove the water spots and rude scratches left behind with years of use.

Another common type of kitchen sink is enamelled cast iron with a smooth and elegant finish available in many colours. These types of sinks are built to last as they hardly ever chip. They are easy to clean and can be restored to their original gleam with a single wipe. However, before considering this sink for your kitchen, keep in mind they are cumbersome and require strong countertops to support them.

Many people even consider acrylic and fibreglass sinks with a glossy finish and easily absorb stains. You can look into latest range of composite sinks that are more durable in their finish.

Other kitchen sinks include vitreous China, brass & copper, and additional speciality kitchen sink such as decorative, antique, bar sinks etc.

The type of kitchen sink you eventually choose depends greatly on your functionality, budget, requirement, and overall design. It is, in fact, advisable to get all these factors out of the way and then go shopping for kitchen sinks, as it will help you narrow down your options.

You can also use the information in this article as a starting point to help you browse the available options and choose the one that suits you best.