Who has not dreamt of building the perfect kitchen? The first knowledgeable thing to acknowledge in creating the perfect kitchen is that the focal attention lies on sinks.
Kitchen sinks not only add beauty to the kitchen but also do not compromise on functionality. The thousands of styles, finishes, and accessories help to come up with elegant, luxurious sinks on one hand and simple and classy on the other.
Kitchen sinks are the most used pieces of the appliances of your kitchen that make your food preparation, cooking, and cleaning jobs easier and help to save you from unnecessary headaches.
A kitchen sink is considered as an appliance, not as furniture. Furniture is a movable piece that is not attached to the architecture of your home. An appliance, on the other hand, refers to a device or a piece of gadget that performs a specific task.
This aligns with kitchen sinks as they are also designed for particular tasks or chores.
Kitchen sink materials
Choosing durable and functional materials for your kitchen sinks can help to prevent damage and unnecessary remodeling.
Sinks made with stainless steel are the most common and popular among people. These sinks are more durable and make the sinks resistant to damage, heat, rust, and water damage. Sinks made with this material include smaller gauges and thicker steel.
Quartz, composite granite, soapstone, copper, fireclay, enameled iron cast, porcelain, ceramic, and pure granite are the most common materials that are used for making different types of sinks.
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Parts & Accessories of a kitchen sink
Your kitchen sink is one of the most integral parts of your kitchen which does not only come in handy for cleaning rather the functionality multiplies in usage.
To make your kitchen sink more functional and convenient, it is necessary to accessorize it with different things to enhance the aesthetic and practicality.
- Sink wire rack
- Soap dispenser
- Air gaps
- Bottle traps
- Countertop
- Sink
- Escutcheon
- Trap
- Faucet Lever
- Spray hose
- Garbage disposer
- Rubber gasket
- Friction gasket
- Aerator
- Faucet Handle
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Types of kitchen sinks
Kitchen sinks perhaps are one of the most pragmatic kitchen appliances that have a variety of applications. There are thousands of kitchen sinks out there that offer durability and style.
However, one must always be knowledgeable regarding the option of sinks that come in thousands of shapes and sizes.
Undermount Sinks:
These types of sinks are mounted underneath the counter and they do not have any rim on the edge of the counter. These types of sinks make the cleaning process very easy and convenient.
In addition, because these types of sinks are mounted underneath, they offer more spaces and therefore, it provides a clean and contemporary look.
Moreover, these types of sinks are of very high quality and they prevent water from getting into the crevices of sinks.
Top-Mount Sinks:
Top mount sinks are also called rimmed sinks or drop-in sinks. These sinks will not cost you a lot of money to install.
In addition, these sinks are dropped in the counter hole thus it creates a finished look. You do not have to be a very skilled person to know how to install these sinks. They are very convenient and kitchen friendly.
Farmhouse Sinks:
These sinks are also called apron sinks. They are much larger and offer sufficient space for you to clean large pots and dishes.
Moreover, these sinks have a very unique style as these types of sinks’ front sides replace the front side of the counter wall thus creating a very traditional look.
Double Bowl sink:
Double bowl sinks are very handy as they come with a double basin and this makes the cleaning and rinsing process very easier.
Additionally, this sink can be helpful and flexible and can be a great substitute for a dishwasher.
Corner Sinks:
Corner sinks are a very good way to to be creative with your limited kitchen space and it creates a uniform look.
Moreover, corner sinks are great for filling up those unused counter spaces and thus increase the functionality of your kitchen.
Single Bowl Sinks:
These sinks are not divided, so they offer a single basin. They are wide enough for you to clean larger utensils and pans with ease.
In addition, these types of sinks offer a farmhouse sink look; however, they are much more affordable than farmhouse sinks.
Island or Bar Sinks:
These sinks work as supplementary sinks for food preparations. These sinks are smaller than regular sinks and offer only one basin installation.
In addition, these sinks can be a great addition to your kitchen besides your main sink as these sinks come in handy while catering or hosting parties for friends and family.
Sizes of kitchen sink
The kitchen sink should be placed in the correct position with the right alignment and for that, you need to be familiar with the available sizes of kitchen sinks that are available in the market.
Single Bowl Sinks:
These sinks are the standard sinks for your kitchen and the average length of these sinks can be 30 inches.
Double Bowl Sinks:
Double bowl sinks offer the best functionality. These sinks’ length sizes can be from 22 to 36 inches.
Stainless Steel Sinks:
These sinks are very convenient for preventing water stains to some extent and for preventing molding problems. They come in different sizes but the average size can be considered to be 20 to 17 inches.
Farmhouse Sinks:
These timeless sinks are the best option to choose as sinks and they also come in convenient sizes which are from 30 to 36 inches.
Kitchen sink cost
When it comes to the cost of kitchen sinks, you should familiarize yourself with the different types of sinks’ price range which will help you to minimize your time in looking for the perfect one. However, the average cost of any kitchen sink can range from 6o to 2000 dollars.
Undermount Sinks:
These types of sinks are placed under the countertop and can cost somewhere between 160 to 2000 dollars.
Farmhouse Sinks:
Farmhouse sinks are considered expensive kitchen sinks. These sinks which are great for washing dishes without spilling water anywhere can cost you up to 360 to 2000 dollars.
Bar Sinks:
Bar sinks are typically small and are convenient for assistance in meal prepping and they can cost you 100 to 500 dollars.
Drop-in Sinks:
These drop-in sinks are on the cheaper side and they cost 70 to 500 dollars to purchase.
Cost to install a kitchen sink
Whether remodeling the kitchen or installing a new kitchen sink, the installation cost can add up to 160 to 200 dollars on average excluding the sink price.
In addition, the installation cost highly depends on the amount of work you add to it. If you are interested in using different styles and finishes, your total installation cost will vary.
However, if you want to get the installation done in a lesser price range, then the cost will be 80 to 90 dollars in total, and in the case of a costlier installation, the price range can be 380 to 482 dollars.
How to choose a kitchen sink?
Choosing a kitchen sink can be overwhelming however, the following explanations can help you make the best decisions.
Proper Sized Sink:
Your sink size should be perfectly aligned with your whole kitchen so that it should not look odd.
Additionally, in case of limited space, a single sink will suffice but if your kitchen is spacious, a double sink should be the appropriate choice.
Depth of the Sink Bowl:
The sink bowl’s depth is another factor you need to keep in mind as the depth of the sink bowl will determine the practicality of the sink.
Material
You should always think beforehand about the material to use for your sink. Therefore, if you are looking for longevity, cast iron sinks will be better.
However, stainless steel is better than cast iron sinks in the sense that they offer better flexibility and they do not chip easily.
Know before installing your kitchen sink:
Should the kitchen sink be centered under the window?
Kitchen sinks should be centered under the window however, it is not mandatory to do so and this highly depends on your personal preferences.
Placing a sink in the center of the window can help to create an aesthetic look, to create a synchronization with the window, to increase the functionality and it also provides natural lights.
Does the kitchen sink need to be vented?
Every kitchen sink needs to be vented. It is needed to maintain the plumbing fixture. Including a vent in the kitchen sink is very important for the drain system.
As the vents help to keep the drain flowing by letting the air into the pipes, therefore, it is mandatory to vent your kitchen sink.
Should your silicone around the kitchen sink?
Using sealant like silicone to seal the gaps around the kitchen sink allows the sink to be in a good condition and provides durability.
In addition, using silicon around your kitchen sink will also help you to waterproof the entire counter and will help with the leakage problem.
Should you caulk around the kitchen sink?
You can caulk around your kitchen sink to save the sink from water damage. This will also help you to keep it dust and dirt-free.
Additionally, the used caulk also helps to repel moisture and prevent molding. Caulk around your sink also works as a waterproof sealant.
Should a kitchen sink be earthed?
Having a kitchen sink earthed depends on the type of material and pipe of your kitchen sink. If you happen to have a sink of steel that includes hot and cold pipes, it is not necessary to have your kitchen sink earthed.
Nevertheless, if the pipework includes gas and water work, then it is necessary to do earth bonding.
Do you need a plumber to replace/install a kitchen sink?
It may come across as a surprise but with average DIY skills, you can definitely replace or install a kitchen sink on your own.
With the help of manuals and the internet, you do not have to seek for a plumber, rather you can do it in less than 4 hours.
How long do kitchen sinks last?
The longevity of your kitchen sinks depends on the materials that have been used for making the sink. Stronger and more durable materials will cater to long-lasting sinks.
In addition, most sinks on average can last up to ten to twelve years with slight problems here and there. If a problem arises, you can definitely repair and refinish your sink but reglazing your old sink can be a bit harder.
The intended uses also determine your kitchen sinks’ longevity. Moreover, sinks made with composite granite, copper, fireclay, enameled iron cast, and pure granite tend to last longer than others.
To conclude, kitchen sinks offer not only the assistance to do the kitchen chores effectively but they also fit according to your preference with its multiple styles and countless accessories. Kitchen sinks enhance the look of the kitchen with their classy and contemporary designs.
As your kitchen sinks are heavy-duty, they are prone to decay over time but it should not limit you from buying your favorite and preferable one.