KITCHENS SINKS AND TAPS

Kitchen Sinks - Choosing the Right One
With so many different types of kitchen sinks around these days, choosing the right one can be an overwhelming decision. The different types of sink currently available include:

• Inset Sinks
  These sinks fit into the worktop. They have a lip which holds the sink in place, together with clips and sealant.
   
• Undermounted Sinks
  These fit underneath the worktop and go well with luxury worksurfaces such as granite and oak. They create a smooth look to blend well with modern surfaces. The bowl is attached underneath and no rim is visible.
   
• Flushmounted Sinks
  These fit flush with the worktop, and have the same appearance as an integrated sink where the sink and worktop are made out of one piece of material.
   
• Belfast Sinks
  Belfast sinks have a traditional farmhouse appearance. They are often used in kitchens with a farmhouse or traditional rustic style feel, and they are often deeper than other types of sink.
  

Sink Materials
Once you have chosen the type of sink you would like, you will need to decide what material it should be made from. Materials available include:

• Stainless Steel
  Stainless steel is the most commonly used material, as it is easy to install, easy to clean, heat resistant and are available in all price ranges. However, disadvantages are that stainless steel is susceptable to scratching, it can dent if a heavy object is dropped on it, and it is quite noisy, especially if you will be using a waste disposal unit. You should opt for a sink made from thicker stainless steel, as it will be stronger. The thickness of the steel is measured by its guage. The lower the number, the thicker the steel - so a 15-gauge sink is better quality than a 20-gauge. You should also look sound proofing such a spray coatings.
   
• Ceramic
  Ceramic sinks are often have a ceramic coating over a cast iron inner were popular before modern materials became available. However, they can stain, and the ceramic can chip if it gets bashed with a heavy object.
   
• Acrylic
  Acrylic has become more popular in recent years is available in a variety of colours. It is stain resistant, easy to clean, although not as heat resistant as stainless steel, and not as durable as the quartz and granite composites below.
   
• Quartz and Granite Composites
  These luxury materials are gaining in popularity, as they resist staining and heat damage, and are available in different colours. These materials are strong, and although scratches can occur they can be polished away relatively easily. These materialsl are not completely scratch-proof, but most scratches buff out easily.
  It should be noted that Granite composites offer the best quality, having the best resistance to heat and scratching, due to the high density of particles of rock at the surface of the sink. Both Granite and Quartz composites retain their original colour as the colour is uniform throughout the material.

Shapes

Many people choose double bowls these days, although it is possible to buy three bowl versions with two large bowls and one smaller bowl, for waste disposal. The third smaller bowl can either be in the middle or on the edge.

Some offer extra depth for washing large pans and, some are specially made for corner placement. Some have integral chopping boards. However, I find it preferable to use a different chopping board for chopping and leave my original one pristine, as I imagine it would be difficult and costly to find a replacement.