The kitchen equipment and cabinets contribute to the looks of the kitchen, and you must spend some time understanding what would be best for you. The task is especially important when you are designing a new kitchen because you must be able to envisage how things will turn out finally, and this requires some insight into kitchen design. For example, if you want use kitchen mats with bold colors, you should choose equipment and cabinets that come in pastel or neutral tones.
Equipment like refrigerators and cooktops are easy to choose because these don’t require installation, and you can use them right from the start. Even you are at liberty to change it whenever you want without any fuss. You can easily find refrigerators and cooktops in many online and offline stores today and have these items delivered to your doorstep.
But this does not happen for sinks, which require installation and allied plumbing, which is why you must be very careful in selecting sinks. From the right material to the correct size to the type of installation, you must factor in everything to ensure that you get the sink that can enhance the functionality and aesthetics of the kitchen.
The sink is one of the most essential fixtures of your kitchen and the space won’t be as functional if you don’t have any. You need your kitchen to clean your ingredients, cook different cuisines, and wash your hands. Without your sink, your kitchen will end up being useless, and, in worse cases, become unsanitary.
Getting some professional advice before buying a sink always helps. You need to understand what it will finally translate to so that there is no gap between your expectations and what you get. Regardless of how small you think your kitchen is or how simple you want your sink to be, it’s important to seek professional help when buying a sink. As mentioned, buying this fixture will require a lot of preparation, and hastily buying a sink can put your money down the drain.
To ensure that you get the right sink that you have thought about, you must understand a bit of technicality involved in sink selection, especially for sink mounting or installation. This is especially important if you’ve never chosen or installed a sink in the past. For example, if someone says that installing an undermount sink would be best for you, then you must understand what it means. Besides installation or mounting, other factors are easier to comprehend, like the choice of material, sink size, and the number of bowls.
As you keep reading this article, you will gather some knowledge that helps in selecting an undermount kitchen sink by Kraus, which adorns many beautiful kitchens.
Sink material
Many different materials are used for making sinks, and each has its pros and cons. From stainless steel to cast iron, and from porcelain to composite materials, many kinds of materials are suitable for making sinks. Cost is indeed a consideration when deciding about sink material. At the same time, you must keep in mind the aesthetic appeal of the material that must match with your taste as well as the interior décor of the place.
With the number of materials available for sinks today, you should exert time to carefully weigh your options and determine which among these truly fit the aesthetics of your home and your allocated budget. Avoid spending more than your set budget when choosing a sink material as this can only result in financial stress in the long run. This is especially true if you’re eyeing to install more than one sink in your home.
A significant consideration is how you want to use the sink and how you would like to maintain it. Kitchen sinks are prone to health hazards if not kept clean, and the type of material determines how easily you can clean it. Moreover, scratches and stains can hamper the good looks which you must take care of by choosing a material that does not scratch easily. You will be using your sink every single day of your life, which is why it’s always important to consider how these are cleaned. You won’t be able to enjoy the appeal and functionality of your sink for the next five years if you don’t have enough time to clean it regularly.
Stainless steel sinks are versatile and easy to maintain besides being pocket-friendly while having modern looks within minimalist features that make it a popular choice for all types of kitchens. On the other side of the coin, stainless steel sinks are very prone to rust when often exposed to hazardous chemicals such as bleach, solvent, and abrasive cleaners.
Consider the installation
Having decided about the sink material, the next issue to address is the sink mounting or installation, which in plain words mean the way the sink fits into place. Sink mounting has a close relation to the size of the countertop to which it gets fitted because the type of installation determines the amount of load that the countertop must bear. The choice is between drop-in installation and undermount installation.
Drop-in sinks are the ones that have a lip on which the sink rests when placed into the cut-out of the countertop. These sinks are very easy to install, as it is like dropping the ball into a basket. The lip or rim of the sink rests on the countertop and bears the weight of the sink. No additional support is necessary as the sink stays in place due to its weight. But there could be a problem with cleanliness because dirt and grime can collect in the space between the rim and the countertop, which is not always easy to clean.
Undermount sinks have different kinds of installation, which is slightly complicated. Here, the sink does not have any rim but a clean edge and positioned from the underside or bottom of the countertop while held in place by a special structural arrangement. Undermount sinks create a seamless and smooth surface by flushing with the countertop that looks beautiful. Since the sink fits from the underside of the countertop, it maximizes the usable counter space. These sinks create very clean kitchens as there is no scope of dirt accumulation in the sink design.
Be careful with the size
While this might seem like a no-brainer, you must not take it lightly because the size of the sink should match with the available space on the countertop, and it impacts the functionality in terms of what you need. Moreover, the size of the sink affects the price as well as the installation method because if it is a large one, you need to go for an undermount installation only. The size also depends on the extent of use because unless you do some heavy cooking every day, a standard sink of 22 inches to 33 inches should suffice. But again, it depends on the available kitchen space, especially the countertop size.
Consider the size of the cabinets
The approach in sink selection depends on whether it is a new installation or replacement. Unless you are doing a complete renovation, you must consider the size of the cabinets that serve as the foundation of the sink and influences its size. The cabinet size should be suitable for accommodating the depth of the new sink besides supporting the weight. Consider the total weight of the sink filled with water to calculate the weight that the cabinet must be able to withstand.
How many bowls do you like?
After determining the size of the sink, you must consider whether it should be a single bowl or double bowl sink. If space is no constraint and you do not mind spending a little more, you can install a double bowl sink that speeds up work and makes the cleanup process much easier.
Alternatively, you can have a large single bowl sink depending on how you plan your work and what makes it easy for you to work with.
