How do you choose a kitchen sink?

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Never before have there been so many amazing choices for the kitchen sink. Whatever you imagine, there’s a solution. That said, if you are like most homeowners, you’re looking for the same thing: simplicity, ease of maintenance, efficiency, aesthetics, and good value. Oh, and sometimes a place to bath the baby.

Many people look for exactly the same things in a sink; a simple, elegant design and easy maintenance. The most requested features include a pull-down one-handle faucet with a sprayer. Many homeowners are starting to ask for a single bowl and about 25% want a soap dispenser. An equal number want a hot water or filtered water dispenser.

Where do you start? There are hundreds of different types of kitchen sink designs and materials to choose from. Deciding which sink is best for you depends on

• how you use it
• what your kitchen priorities are
• where it will be located
• how it will be installed

Here are some of the most common sinks available

Stainless steel

For many homeowners, this is the first choice. It’s very popular, probably because stainless steel appliances have a very high tech, industrial look and they look really nice in a modern kitchen with clean lines. Unless stainless is custom fabricated, it’s generally reasonably priced. The key to a good stainless sink is the gauge of the steel. The lower the gauge, the thicker and more durable it is likely to be. Look for 18 or 19-gauge Type 304 stainless. It has extra chromium and is less susceptible to corrosion. Under mount and self-rimming versions are available in a myriad of sizes and shapes with and without drain boards, prep sinks, and accessories. Although good quality undermount sinks are much more expensive than top mount, keep in mind that you will not be able to change the sink unless you change the counter top so opt for quality.

Stainless is considered by many to be easy to clean, and if you drop a glass, it’s possible it won’t break. (That never happens with the cast iron sinks.) However, some people think stainless is cold and too easily dented. Another objection some people have to stainless is that it’s noisy. To prevent that, manufacturers have addressed this issue with sound absorption technologies. For the cost and the life expectancy though (between 15–30 years) stainless steel is a very good buy. There are many kitchen sink designs available in stainless steel, and also many different sizes so you can be sure to find one that is right for you.

 

Read more about white kitchen sinks