Kitchen Sinks 

The kitchen sink is an indispensable part of any kitchen, coming in right behind the cook range.  Every day, the sink is involved in food preparation, cleanup, and that every popular cool glass of water.  Consequently, kitchen sinks should be extremely durable, easy to clean and very attractive.

In the last few years, kitchen remodels are one of the top home improvements in the United States, for this reason, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that sink manufactures have been designing and redesigning sinks.  Today, you can purchase kitchen sinks with one, two, or even three bowls as well as in various sizes, shapes, depths, and colors and materials.  Years ago, your only choice was stainless or enamel coated cast iron, today kitchen sinks are available in copper, stainless, enamel, composite acrylic and fiberglass, quartz, and much more.  Kitchen sinks are also available today with integral drainers, cutting boards, and more.

When purchasing a kitchen sink, most will come with three or four holes, which are used for mounting the faucets and accessories such as a sprayer, or under the sink soap dispenser.  Other accessories may include an instant hot water dispenser, a spout for a dedicated water filter, and the air gap for a dishwasher drain.  If the sink you are considering doesn’t provide enough holes for the devices or faucet you desire, you may need to consider special ordering one, or inquire about whether or not you can drill the needed holes.  On the other hand, if you do not need all the holes that are in the sink you want, then inquire about matching plugs for capping the unused holes.  Some sinks are available with punch-outs, these are holes that have not completely been drilled all the way thorough the sink.  If you need the extra holes, simple follow the instructions that come with your sink and punch-out the needed holes. 

The next thing you have to consider, before you choose the material you want is how the sink will be installed and seated.  Sinks can be installed above the countertop, which are known as, drop-in, self-rimming, or top-mounted.  They can also be installed below the countertop.  This type of installation is known as under-mounted.  The final type of installation is called a flush-mount.  There are sinks currently on the market that can be installed either as an undermount or as a self-rimming

Each type of installation has benefits as well as disadvantages.  For instance, top-mounted sinks have a lip that rests on top of the countertop.  Top-mounted sinks are usually secured in place by clips and screws and are much easier and faster to install than under-mounted sinks.  However, the main disadvantage of top-mounted sinks is because they have a raised lip between the countertop and the sink, it is more difficult to clean up spills and crumbs.  Often top-mounted sinks are used with laminate countertops, and tiled countertops.  

Under-mounted sinks are as their name implies, in that they are mounted blow the surface of the countertop. This type of installation is usually more difficult and time-consuming.  However, because there isn’t any raised edge between countertop and sink, they are easier to clean around and to wipe spills and crumbs into the sink.  Many installers incorporate grooves into the countertop near the sink, which creates a built-in drain board.  Under-mounted sinks are often used with concrete, synthetic, or natural stone countertops as well as with solid-surface countertops.  Because the edge of the countertop is exposed, it is never used with laminate countertops.

Flush-mounted sinks are sinks, which sit evenly or flushed with the surface of the countertop and many times appear to be a part of the countertop.  Tile-in sinks are a type of flush-mounted sink, which is specially made so that they can be used with tiled countertops.  Flush-mounted sinks should not be confused with integrated sinks, which are a sink that is made into countertop forming a one piece unite.

Today there are so many different materials for kitchen sinks available to you.  In fact, kitchen sinks are available in stainless steel, enamel over steel or cast iron, ceramic, copper, concrete, glass, plastic, soapstone, terrazzo (a faux-marble material), wood, and stone. 

The following is a brief description of some of the more popular materials to help you choose which one is right for you and your lifestyle:

Stainless Steel:  

Stainless steel has been popular since it was first used by Monel.  In the 1920's Monel produced lightweight and corrosion resistant sinks, that were made out of copper and nickel, manganese, silicon, carbon and iron.  During the 1940’s copper and metals were needed for the war effort, so Monel introduced the stainless steel sink, and the rest is history. 

Stainless steel sinks are available in a wide range of prices, with the least expensive being made out of thin flexible metal.  Many times inexpensive stainless steel sinks will stain, vibrate when you run the garbage disposal, scratch and may even dent of a heavy pan is accidentally dropped in it.  More expensive and higher quality stainless steel sinks are made of a thicker more durable metal. 

When shopping for stainless steel sinks, the thickness of stainless steel is measured by gauge.  The lower the gauge, the thicker the metal, for instance, 18-gauge is thicker than 21-gauge stainless steel. 

Enameled Cast Iron:  

Enameled coated cast iron sinks have a smooth, glossy finish that is available in many colors, ranging from white to black, and nearly any color in between, including red, and yellow.  The finish on enameled cast iron sinks is extremely hard and seldom chips.  Another great benefit of enameled cast iron sinks is they are so easy to clean.  All you need to do is simply wipe them down.  However, like everything, cast iron sinks do have some disadvantages with the first being they are very heavy and therefore require strong reinforced cabinets and countertops.  Enameled cast iron sinks can scratch, especially is heavy cast iron cookware is dropped into them.  In addition, cast iron sinks can crack, but this happens very rarely. 

Composite Acrylic and Fiberglass: 

Composite acrylic and fiberglass sinks are lightweight, are available in standard and “designer” styles.  The finish of older forms of composite acrylic and fiberglass sinks were not as durable as newer composites.  Many homeowners complained that with older composites, the finish would mare and fade.  In addition, lighter colors would readily absorb stains.  Newer composite sinks are more durable, less likely to fade or stain. 

Quartz Composite Sinks:  

Quartz composite sinks are extremely durable, available in an array of colors and configurations.  The only disadvantage is like any composite sink quartz composite sinks can scratch, for this reason we strongly suggest that you do not use any abrasive cleaners to remove dirt from the surface. 

Integral Solid Surface Sinks: 

A solid-surface sink is one that molded onto the solid surface countertop.  Integral solid surface sinks must be ordered at the time when you place your order for your solid surface countertops, which means that once you place your order, there is a very limited amount of time for you to change your mind.  In addition, depending on where you order your countertops from, you could be charged extra from altering your order.  Integral solid surface sinks have several benefits, including the fact that the color goes all the way through the material.  This means that scratches are not as noticeable.  Another benefit of this rimless, seamless sink is that if becomes scratch, but the scratches can easily be buffed.

Vitreous China: 

Usually these sinks are used as a second sink, such as a bar sink.  Vitreous china sinks are made of molded clay and usually have ornamental designs.  Because they are molded, they are available in standard and unique shapes and sizes.  Vitreous china sinks do not come with mounting holes; therefore, faucets must be installed in the countertop or wall mount.  Vitreous china sinks are very simple to clean and are nearly impossible to scratch or stain, but they will chip and crack if they are bumped with pots or pans. 

Copper Sinks: 

Becoming every popular for many reasons.  The first is that copper sinks bring warmth to any kitchen.  Another reason for the popularity of copper sinks is because not only is it beautiful, but it is virtually maintenance free, cleaning up with soap and water.  Another benefit that most homeowners are not aware of is that copper contains antibacterial benefits, making it nearly impossible for bacteria and other harmful substances to survive on copper.  Copper sinks however should be wiped dry after each use if you do not want them to patina.

Antique and Reproduction Antique Sinks: 

Antique sinks have increased in popularity to the point that several sink manufactures are now making reproduction antique sinks.  One reason of their popularity is their ambience.  Another is their functionality as many have one large deep bowl with an attached drainer.