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If you’re renovating your kitchen, you’ll devote some thought to the type of sink you would like to install. Besides the sheer utility of a kitchen sink, to allow you to perform all the kitchen chores (washing dishes, pots, and cutlery, as well as giving you access to water for cooking), you also want something that adds to the decor. Kitchen sinks can be from ceramic, metal, or glass. There are four designs that are most common: apron-front, under-mount, topmount, and tile-in sinks. There are differences between the designs in ease of installation, as well as what’s best to fit your type of countertop.
We've put together this guide to help you select the best kitchen sink that answers to your needs. It'll help you:
Choose the right type of kitchen sink,
See useful tips about that type of kitchen sink,
Read reviews of different brands of kitchen sink, and what customers are saying,
Select the right brand of kitchen sink, and
Compare prices and find the best deals.
We can distinguish between the types of kitchen sinks by the material from which they are made:
Ceramic: They can be made to be non-porous, scratch and stain-resistant, with a high-gloss finish. The ceramic is typically porcelain, but porcelain has a tendency to chip. Another alternative is fireclay, which is clay fired for over 40 hours, and then coated with porcelain and fired again for 20 hours.
Glass: There are sinks made from tempered glass—glass that has been processed to increase its strength and durability. The Kraus GV-580 is made from tempered glass that is given the illusion of the appearance of copper, but is still scratch and stain-resistant.
Metal: There are metal sinks from stainless steel, brass, nickel, chrome, and copper. Stainless steel is preferred in most homes, because it is inexpensive, durable, and easy to maintain. There are also cast-iron and copper sinks. Cast iron will tend to rust, while copper will develop the familiar patina (greenish) color upon reacting with water.
Stone: There are kitchen sinks made from a composite stone. The Blanco 440199 Diamond 1-1/2 Bowl Kitchen Sink is 80% granite, treated with an anthracite coating.
We can also distinguish between the different methods of installation:
Undermount: Here, you insert the sink from underneath the countertop, and the rim of the sink is underneath the surface of the countertop. It works best with solid-surface, stone and quartz countertops. Since the rim is lower than the countertop, it is easier to wipe water from the countertop into the sink.
Top mount: This is also called a "drop-in" or “self-rimming” sink. This is known for its ease of installation: you just drop the sink into the hole in the countertop, and attach it to the drainage pipe. In this type, the basin's rim is the only part of the sink that protrudes above the countertop. The basin is held in place by its rim. This is best with laminate countertops.
Apron-Front (“Farmhouse sink”): This style dates from the time before there was running water in kitchens--so it was made to hold a lot of water (which you would have to draw by hand from a well or lake). This type of sink is deeper than the top or under-mount sinks. You stand directly in front of the basin when using the sink (there is no cabinet or countertop in between). The front of the sink is called the “apron”, and is the most noticeable part of the sink. The sink is situated just under the level of the countertop--this conveniently lets you wipe the water off the countertop, directly into the sink.
Tile-in sink: This has a strong resemblance to an undermount sink. It is designed for tile countertops. You install the sink, and then apply the tiling to the countertop, until it is flush with the sink.
Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:
Consider the sink’s weight: People who purchased the KOHLER K-6626-6U-0 Langlade Smart Divide Undercounter Kitchen Sink had to take into consideration the weight of the sink. It is made from cast iron, and needed a stone mason to fit it with the stone countertop.
Other uses for the double-bowl design: Many sinks have two unequally sized basins. The smaller basin can be used for soaking vegetables and food preparation, and the larger basin for cleaning.
Double bowl option to sink: Many sinks are designed in a double-bowl option. You can have one basin for dirty dishes. You clean the dish and put it in the basin for clean dishes. Alternatively, you can use one basin for larger items, such as pots and pans, and the other for dishes.
Buying an appropriate faucet: After you have chosen a sink, you’ll then have to choose a kitchen faucet that matches the decor. For example, an antique design would be preferable with an apron front sink, while a more modern faucet would go best with a modern, stainless steel undermount sink.
Zuhne--are suppliers of home building and remodeling projects. They make water-saving faucets, single and double bowl sinks, bar sinks, kitchen accessories, and more. Their headquarters is in Houston, Texas. They also offer consultation and installation of kitchen and bathroom units.
Swanstone-- is a product line under the brand Swan. Swan was started in 1964, and has its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. They are makers of solid surfacing products, for kitchen sinks, countertops, bath and shower walls, and the like. Their product lines include Swanstone (a compression-molded surface material for sinks), Veritek, and Swan High-Gloss.
Kohler-- is a manufacturer of generators and engines, kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures, and furniture. They were founded by John Michael Kohler in 1873, when he started producing cast-iron and steel products. Later he went into producing kitchen and bath accessories. The business is presently located in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Kraus—is a maker of bathroom and kitchen decors, appropriate for urban architecture and employing a minimalist design. They have a wide variety of designs of faucets, sinks, and faucet-sink combinations, as well as other kitchen and bathroom accessories. They were founded by Russel Levi, and their headquarters is in Port Washington, New York.