When choosing your new kitchen, the sink isn’t the first thing we are sure you’ll be getting excited about, but you’ll be surprised to know that on average, between 8-10% of a persons budget goes on fixtures and fittings. The size and shape of the sink is important, especially if you are cooking for a family every night – they tend to range in depth between 5 and 10 inches and although this does not sound like too much of a difference, it can make your life a whole lot easier if you have to wash lots of dishes and pots after dinner.
Definitely the most popular sink shape is the rectangle, which can come in one, two or even three bowl form. The number of bowls you choose is really determined by the space you have in your kitchen and what equipment you generally use to cook. For example, a large single bowl sink can normally fit in even the largest pots and pans and is suitable if you have a family or entertain often. The two-bowl sink comes with two smaller bowls, one for washing up and the other for rinsing, which is very useful if there is not a dishwasher in the kitchen.
Kitchen sinks are installed either from above or below the countertop. Most are mounted from above the counter and are also known as self-rimming. In a self-rimmed installation the lip of the sink overhangs the surface of the counter on all sides, which can make cleanup around the sink a bit more difficult. The plus side with this type of sink is that they are suitable for use with any counter material.
Undermounted sinks are installed from below the sink, so there is no rim. Spills and crumbs are swept right into the bowl. Undermounted sinks cannot be installed in laminate countertops because there is no way to seal off the raw edge of the fiberboard backing.
There are several materials that kitchen sinks are made out of. If you are going for a modern feel, consider stainless steel, but remember that these scratch easily and require careful maintenance to resist scratching and corrosion. Granite sinks are durable and attractive. They will not scratch and are easily cleanable as well as cost-effective. Cast iron sinks are also extremely durable, but scratch easily from instruments being washed up, so require scrubbing frequently to keep their clean sparkling look.
Here a KitchenSolution.co.uk we show you all the best UK sink suppliers, offering all the best deals on the market.