If you’re trying to select a new sink for your kitchen, you’d be glad there are many options. But you may soon find out that there may be too many options and choosing the ideal one is overwhelming. If you’re unsure about what you want, the risk of choosing the most suitable kitchen sink is high.
Therefore, knowing your kitchen needs and how a sink can solve them is a start. That should help you eliminate unsuitable ones from the list until you arrive at the best one. Not to worry; this article guides your selection process by listing and explaining factors to consider when buying a one.
What to Consider When Buying a Kitchen Sink
Before heading out or opening an ecommerce site to shop, you must arm yourself with this list. Understanding several aspects of a kitchen sink helps you narrow your list. Think about the size, material, cost, installation and a few others. Let’s get right to it.
- Size
The first thing that catches the eye of any buyer is the sink’s size, whether you’re buying in a physical store or online. Before touching inspecting it to know the material, you’ll know when you see an enormous one. The size should help you determine which works for your home. Consider the size of your kitchen and the sink space. Is it large enough to accommodate that option you’re looking at?
Also, think about the kitchen needs; if you cook a lot, a small sink won’t cut it. You’ll need a larger option to avoid frustration. If you already know where it will fit, it helps to have a correct measurement of the width and depth of the space before shopping. That way, you won’t pick a sink too small or too big, which may mean redesigning the area and costing more money.
- Material
The next important factor is the material. Kitchen sinks are available in an unbelievable number of materials and you can have a field day selecting the best choice. Stainless steel is the most popular option because it’s strong, durable, non-porous, scratch-resistant and affordable.
It also fits into any kitchen decor without looking odd. However, you’ll find others that may be more to your taste, such as enameled cast iron, porcelain, copper, fireclay and granite composite. If you want a sleek kitchen, acrylic or porcelain may fit but so do fireclay and enameled cast iron.
All these materials are functional so it’s up to you decide whether aesthetics is more important than functionality or if you want both. The bottom line is to select one that won’t quickly wear out or scratch easily so you don’t have to replace it prematurely. You can learn more about these materials here: https://hometuff.com/.
- Type
Now, think about the type you want. You’ll find several options, such as undermount, top-mount or drop in, farmhouse, single-, double- or triple-bowl and drainboard sinks. Each has a unique purpose but all serve one universal purpose of helping you in the kitchen.
An undermount type fits under the countertop with no visible rims. It makes cleaning the areas around it easy because you can quickly move water and debris straight into the bowl without some sticking to the rims or the corners of the countertop. A top-mount sink fits into a pre-cut space and sits flush to the countertop with visible rims.
It is less expensive to install than the undermount type but may not provide the same ease of cleaning as the undermount. A farmhouse sink is large, usually with what we call an apron-front, with its front sticking an inch or two over the cabinets under it. The size is such that the sink functions just about anywhere, including an actual farmhouse and accommodates different sizes of food items or cookware.
A single-bowl is just that – a single-bowl. It can be any size or design but is usually large to serve various purposes. A double-bowl has two basins side by side; they may be the same size or varying sizes but this type works for busy kitchens or for people who prefer separate spaces for washing different food items or cookware.
The same applies to triple-bowl sinks, although this type is not as common as the others and may not be as functional as they sound unless when used in a restaurant. These types are all available and knowing the specific kitchen needs of your home can guide you to the right choice.
- Faucet
You can’t choose a sink without considering the faucet to go with it. In other words, the sink you choose will largely depend on the faucet and vice versa. There are several types to consider and the design of the space will also play a pivotal role.
The most common is the single-handle faucet, which is a simple design of spout and handle to increase functionality. There’s also the double or two-handle faucet that comprises two separate handles with one faucet. The handles control cold and hot water, making it easy to use.
A pull-out handle is flexible and convenient because it reaches every crevice in the sink but may be inconvenient to use with some types or kitchen designs. A wide-set faucet is beautiful and classy but requires more sink and countertop space.
- Cost
The list wouldn’t be complete without cost considerations. Many sink types are affordable and easy to install but modern and more complicated ones cost a pretty penny. For example, the undermount sink costs more than the top-mount.
Add a wide-set faucet and acrylic material and the price goes even higher. It helps to have a reasonable budget when buying and installing a kitchen sink, especially if you want to combine beauty and function.
6. Kitchen Design
Overall, your choice should match the kitchen design. You don’t want a sink that stands out like a sore thumb in an otherwise tastefully-designed space. If your kitchen is rustic or traditional, consider a stainless-steel or enamel farmhouse-style sink.
But if you’re going for a more modern and sleek look, an acrylic undermount type is ideal. Transitional decor accommodates a combination of rustic and modern. You can find more information to help you choose the right one here.
Wrapping Up
A kitchen sink is not the last thing to consider when building, renovating or remodeling a house. It should be a priority so that you can carefully pick the right size, shape, material, type and faucet while staying within budget.
While stainless steel is popular and practical, you can get the best of both worlds of function and beauty by choosing a durable option like enamel or fireclay. Start on time to shop so you can find what works and get the kitchen of your dreams.
