If you want to replace your current kitchen sink, then you need to make sure that you’ve chosen the right one for you. After all, choosing the right kitchen sink is crucial – it’s a kitchen appliance that you’ll have for years, and choosing the wrong one has the potential to put your whole kitchen out of sync. It is also both a time consuming and costly mistake (especially if you’re buying a brand new kitchen). With a wide variety of kitchen sink materials available and a vast difference in price range, knowing what type and style of kitchen sink to choose can really clog up your thought process
But with such a wide variety of kitchen sink materials out there, and an even wider range of prices, how do you know which one is right for your lifestyle and your kitchen? Cease worrying dear friends, we’re here to help. We’re here to plug a few of our favourite sinks and their pros and cons, to help you make the right decision.
Decide whether you want a 60/40 sink
First things first – decide whether you a singular sink or a 60/40 sink. A 60/40 sink has one basin that is 18 inches wide, and another that is 14 inches wide. Dual basins are great for when you are washing items you don’t want to put in the dishwasher (soap in one basin, rinse water in the other). That being said, a smaller basin makes it harder to wash and soak large kitchenware, so choose wisely.
Choose your sink mounting type
Undermount Sinks
An undermount sink attaches to the bottom of the countertop, giving a sleek and seamless appearance to your kitchen. Stainless steel is the most common material used to fabricate drop-in sink. As undermount sinks are mounted below the countertop, there is no lip which means that food and debris can be easily wiped away and into the sink.
Drop-in Sinks
A drop-in sink is designed to drop into an opening of the kitchen countertop, through an appropriately sized hole into your ClicBox units. This type of sink offers an easy installation process, so you’ll save costs on employing a plumber.
Apron Sinks
Also known as Farmhouse sinks, the Apron Sink is designed to incorporates a large apron that drops down the front of the sink or cabinets. An Apron sinks is the most challenging to install because of the cabinet modifications required for proper installation.
Vessel Sinks
Also known as Top-mount sinks, this type of sink sits on the surface of your countertop. Only a small hole for the drain needs to be cut into the worktop to fit this design in, meaning that your pre built kitchen units are kept intact. This type of sink offers an aesthetic quality, but can be costly to purchase and install, so be weary.
Choose your type of sink
Granite Composite Kitchen Sinks
A Granite Composite Sink is made from a mixture of granite stone dust and acrylic resins. Also known as Composite Granite, or Composite, this type of sink is available in a variety of colours, from pinks and greens to classic colours such as white or black – there’s a composite granite sink to suit any kitchen design and complement your cheap kitchen doors. Unlike solid granite, composite granite isn’t porous which makes it much easier to clean, and they are very heat resistant. Naturally, granite is a tough substance, which means that if you drop any fragile kitchenware such as glass or china, it’s got an increased chance of breaking.
Granite Composite Sinks are both stain and scratch resistant to an extent – you’ll still need to clean it in order to maintain its sleek design. The starting price for a Granite Composite sink is around £150 – you should expect to pay a little more for a Composite Sink in comparison to a Stainless Steel sink, and delivery might cost more as it is heavier.
Pros of Composite Granite Kitchen Sink
- Incredibly durable.
- Heat resistant.
- Stain and scratch resistant.
- Non-porous easy to clean surface.
- Comes in a range of styles, colours and sizes.
Cons of Composite Granite Kitchen Sink
- More expensive compared to other sinks.
- Tough surface may cause breakage of crockery if dropped on it.
- Careful maintenance required for installation.
- Heavy and requires a sturdy worktop.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
Stainless Steel Sinks are made out of (you guessed it) stainless steel, and comes in a wide range of shapes, sizes and finishes. The most popular sink in the UK, there’s always a Stainless Steel kitchen sink to suit everyone’s needs, because they’re incredibly low maintenance and do not break the bank. They’re also rust, corrosion and stain (wow) resistant as long as they’re cleaned regularly and looked after.
Ideal for those looking to renovate their kitchen on a budget, or for Landlords looking to spruce up their rental property, you’ll find that most of these type of sinks comes with a lifetime guarantee. Because this type of material is lighter, it is much easier to install yourself, and is flexible in terms of fitting it.
However, it is important to remember that whilst this sink is cheaper, if you buy a super cheap Stainless Steel sink, you’ll be sacrificing the quality. The thinner the sink, the more prone they are to getting dents and scratches from everyday use. Thinner sinks are also much noisier – especially in comparison to thicker sinks like the Composite Granite Kitchen Sink. You should check the ‘gauge’ of the metal before you make the purchase, and remember; the lower the gauge, the thicker the metal. For example, 18 is thicker than a 22 gauge.
Pros of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
- Durable.
- Resistant to corrosion, rust and stains.
- Comes with long guarantee.
- One of the cheapest sinks.
- Easier to install.
- Top mount, flush mount and undermount options available.
- Low maintenance.
Cons of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
- The thinner the gauge, the noisier the sink.
- Sinks with thin stainless steel have increased risk of scratches.
- Easily dented if something heavy is dropped in it.
- The best stainless sinks might cost more than other materials.
Ceramic Kitchen Sinks
If you’re a traditionalist who’s after a classic looking kitchen, then a Ceramic Kitchen Sink is the way forward. Every traditional-style kitchen in the UK has a Ceramic Kitchen Sink that is still fully functional due to their durability and heat resistance, And there’s a strong possibility that the sink you find in a traditional kitchen has been there as long as the kitchen. Ceramic sinks are also easy to clean, are very durable and will last a lifetime.
As long as they are maintained, this type of sink is stain resistant and can be wiped clean (with a bit of force) if they’re left spoiled for a few days. One of the more expensive, ceramic kitchen sinks start from around the £150, and because of their fragility they cost a little more to deliver. Due to their weight, it’s crucial that you make sure your kitchen worktop can handle it – especially if you want a top mounting sink.
Pros of Ceramic Kitchen Sinks
- Easiest to maintain and keep clean.
- Extremely durable.
- Heat and stain resistant.
- Stylish.
- Withstands most household chemicals.
Con of Ceramic Kitchen Sinks
- One of the more expensive options.
- Might chip.
- Not as many colour choices.
- Very heavy.
Once you’ve made these decisions, it’s time to go out and purchase your desired sink. At the same time, why not check out some storage ideas for your kitchen.
