Expert Advice on How to Choose a Kitchen Sink

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kitchen sink with black coverage

One of the most used features in every home, kitchen sinks come in a wide variety of styles, colours and materials, so there are options to fit any decor and any preference. It’s an important item that’s supposed to last you for many years, it has to endure through a lot of wear and tear. However, before you decide to buy a kitchen sink, regardless of whether you are simply replacing an old one, or you are building a new indoor or outdoor kitchen, there are several things to consider, including the style, the size and the materials.

The Most Popular Materials for Kitchen Sinks

blue kitchen with white sink
source: urdesignmag.com

The first decision you have to make when choosing a kitchen sink is the material. This will determine a lot of things – how durable it is, how resistant to stains it is, how easy it is to clean, as well as how it will look. Sinks come in many different materials, but the three most common ones are stainless steel, granite composite and ceramics sinks.

Stainless Steel  

black kitchen with stainless steel sink
source: tapsuk.com

Most homeowners around the world decide to buy stainless steel sinks for various reasons. Their material is very durable, appealing and also relatively inexpensive. But there are many other characteristics that make these sinks a great choice for any kitchen. They can also absorb the shocks from accidental impacts and are highly resistant to heat.

Furthermore, even though water spots are more visible on them than on other materials, stainless kitchen sinks are quite easy to take care of and clean. Another thing that makes stainless steel perfect for kitchen sinks, is that apart from being corrosion-resistant, it also can’t be affected by household chemicals, meaning that it will retain its shine throughout the years. So, as the name of the material suggests, it does not stain.

If you are thinking about buying a stainless steel sink, you can get one with a mirror-like shine or with a range of different matte finishes. Moreover, because stainless steel is relatively light, these sinks come in a wide variety of shapes, bowl capacity and styles. When it comes to quality, their strength and resilience make them a long-lasting choice, and, when it comes to style, their range of finish options make them a timeless choice.

Composite Granite 

composite granite kitchen sink
source: thewowdecor.com

Another popular and long-lasting option, granite sinks can also be a great choice for your kitchen. The material is made from a mixture of granite stone dust and acrylic resins. There are also composite sinks composed of acrylic resins and quartz dust instead of granite stone dust, which are sometimes mistakenly also referred to as granite sink.

Like stainless steel sinks, you can find a wide variety of composite granite sinks, in styles, sizes and shapes. However, these sinks offer more choices when it comes to finishes and colours, with white, black and brown being the most popular options. Furthermore, you can either go for natural stone features or uniform colour, depending on whether the sink is made of an authentic granite stone or of composite granite.

Although they are not completely invulnerable, these sinks are also highly resistant to heat, scratches and dents, and stronger than the ones made from stainless steel. However, they require a little bit more delicacy when it comes to cleaning, as they can be damaged and discoloured by harsh, abrasive chemicals.

Ceramic 

black kitchen with white ceramic sink
source: bidvine.com

One of the most traditional materials for sinks, ceramic still remains a very popular and stylish option for kitchen sinks, for many different styles, both traditional and more contemporary. Like granite and stainless steel, ceramic offers some very hardwearing options, with highly durable finishes. However, they are not completely indestructible, even though they can withstand a lot.

Furthermore, because, unlike stainless steel kitchen sinks, ceramic doesn’t “give”, if you drop a glass dish, for instance, in this sink, it’s highly unlikely that it will not break. Ceramic sinks come in many different colours and hues, but most commonly they are available in white and cream. While can be a great addition to many different styles, but they go really well in kitchens made in country style.

The Most Popular Types of Kitchen Sinks 

black kitchen, stainless steel sink
source: overstock.com

Aside from the materials, they are made of, their finish and their design and shape, kitchen sinks also defer in the way they are installed, the number of basins, as well as their sizes. All of this can have an impact on how easy it is for you to use your sink and how functional it is, for your taste. Besides taste and preferences, other things can determine which type of sink you should buy for your kitchen, are your needs, the size of your kitchen, etc.

Kitchen sinks are either drop-in sinks or under-mount sinks, both of which offer different options in the way they are installed and in sizes. When it comes to the shape of the sink, while most are either rectangular or circular, there are also other shapes out there. Furthermore, kitchen sinks come with one, two or, even, three basins, with all options offering different advantages and downsides.