| The selection of your kitchen sink will depend on: | | | | - you can remove minor damage (scratches, |
| - the size of the cabinet underneath your sink. | | | | burns...). |
| - the size of your countertop (whether it has | | | | 4. Composite |
| backsplash or not). | | | | Such a sink is made from natural materials such |
| - the material of your countertop. | | | | as quartz, granite, etc. together with synthetics. |
| - the way you will use your sink. | | | | The color is the same over the entire area and |
| - your preferences. | | | | thickness of the kitchen sink. Hence, it will be |
| - how much you can afford. | | | | more difficult to notice any faults. Other |
| Characteristics of kitchen sinks | | | | properties: |
| According to the number of basins, kitchen sinks | | | | - different colors are available. |
| may be: | | | | - easy to service. |
| 1. Single-basin: this is a smaller sink. If you have a | | | | - durable, non-breakable, heat- and stain-resistant. |
| kitchen island, you might like to mount a | | | | Kitchen sink installation |
| single-basin sink in it, auxiliary to your main sink. If | | | | You may install your sink in a number of ways: |
| its basin is fairly large and deep (10 or 12 inches | | | | 1. As a self-rimming sink: here, your sink overlaps |
| (25-30 cm) in depth) this sink may be more | | | | the countertop. It's good for your countertop to |
| comfortable for you to wash large utensils in than | | | | be made from a smooth material (laminate, |
| a standard sink with two identical basins. | | | | natural stone...), thus allowing the sink to align itself |
| 2. Double-basin: a sink of standard 33 inches (84 | | | | perfectly with the countertop. |
| cm) length to 22 inches (56 cm) width that fits | | | | 2. As an undermount sink: here, your countertop |
| perfectly to the standard sink cabinet - 36 inches | | | | overlaps the sink. In this case, no joints with the |
| (91 cm) length to 24 inches (61 cm) width. | | | | sink are seen on the countertop, giving an |
| 3. Triple-basin: this kitchen sink is bigger. You can | | | | appearance of simplicity. It is easy to clean around |
| use one of the basins to wash the dishes and the | | | | such a sink; you can wipe waste straight from |
| other one to rinse them. Use the third one (usually | | | | the countertop to the sink. |
| smaller) to wash vegetables or install a garbage | | | | 3. As a tile-in sink: here, your sink is on the level |
| disposal unit in it. | | | | of the countertop. If your countertop is tiled, this |
| Materials for kitchen sinks | | | | type of sink installation is especially convenient. |
| The materials that follow are popular variants for | | | | Sinks are flat at the ends, and their edges are at |
| such sinks; but you can see sinks from other | | | | right angles. Thus they fit well to the tiles. |
| materials as well, such as enameled steel, | | | | 4. As an integral sink: as I mentioned above, your |
| porcelain, fireclay, brass, copper... | | | | sink and countertop here are a single unit, without |
| 1. Stainless steel | | | | any joints. For such a sink and countertop you |
| A functional material. With it, your sink and | | | | need such materials as stainless steel, solid |
| countertop may be a whole unit, without any | | | | surface and concrete. |
| joints. This facilitates cleaning and gives your sink | | | | 5. You can also mount a sink in the wall. |
| a unified look. Objects, such as dishes and glasses, | | | | To be sure of the quality of your kitchen sink |
| dropped in a stainless steel sink are less likely to | | | | installation, I recommend that you employ the |
| break. Other qualities: | | | | services of a professional. |
| - durable, non-breakable, heat-resistant. | | | | Conclusion |
| - neutral color: the metal nuance complements | | | | 1. When selecting the design of your kitchen sink |
| most colors. | | | | (color, shape...) take into account the design of |
| - easy to service: this is the choice for sinks in | | | | your countertop. It is good for them to |
| public establishments. | | | | complement one another. |
| 2. Enameled cast iron | | | | 2. Sinks that have bigger and deeper basins, a flat |
| Usually a more expensive material. It represents a | | | | bottom and vertical walls make it more |
| cast-iron base with enameled finish. Here are | | | | comfortable for you to work. The area is larger, |
| some of its properties: | | | | your utensils will lie well on the bottom and the |
| - durable, heat-resistant. | | | | water jet won't splash outside. |
| - various colors are available. | | | | 3. Look for kitchen sinks with special technologies |
| - dampens noise and vibrations of the sink. | | | | on the underside. These technologies dampen |
| 3. Solid surface | | | | noise, protect against condensation and help to |
| Synthetic material. As with stainless steel, your | | | | control the water temperature in the basin. |
| sink and countertop can consist of a single unit. | | | | 4. Sinks cost from less than $100 to more than |
| Other properties: | | | | $1000, depending on the size, the materials and |
| - durable, easy to service. | | | | their properties, such as we are discussing now. |
| - various colors are available. | | | | |