A proper sink is integral for your kitchen for both decorative and functional purposes. However, it can be quite daunting to purchase a sink if you don’t know what you should look for. Well, worry no more! Here’s a sneak peek into the features that you should be aware of while shopping for a new kitchen sink.
Sink Material
Depending on how frequently and aggressively you use the kitchen sink, you need to decide on the sink material. Quartz and granite sinks are really pretty to look at and match perfectly with a decorated kitchen. However, they are a bit on the heavier side and need regular and special maintenance.
On the other hand, stainless steel may not look as eloquent as granite, porcelain, or marble-top sinks, but they will get the job done. With little to no special maintenance, the steel ones can last for years and are great for long-term use.
Bowl Numbers
The bowl numbers refer to how many bowls are there in the sink. For normal kitchens, a single bowl sink is perfect as you can get everything sorted out at once. But you can find sinks with triple or quadruple bowls as well in the market.
If you work in a commercial kitchen where you need to sort everything out independently, get sinks with multiple bowls. That way, the workload decreases significantly as you can focus on everything separately.
Drain Position
The drain position is another important feature that you should watch out for while buying a kitchen sink. Depending on your working speed and hand orientation, the drain position can come in quite handy. Both center and off-center drains are available in the market with their respective sinks.
If you get a circular sink, it’s best to have a center drain as all the dirty water can roll around the edges to go right into the drain. Again, rectangular sinks usually come with an off-center drain as they have a flat surface.
However, if the placement seems problematic, you can always change the drain configuration by calling in a plumber.
Sink Type
To the untrained eyes, all sinks can look the same, but that’s not how it works. Depending on what room you are using it for and what purpose it needs to fulfill, the sink types will continue to change. If you use the wrong sink for the wrong purpose, it will ruin its surface protection and reduce longevity.
For example – you shouldn’t use the same sink for your kitchen that you would use in a bathroom. Again, do not use the same sink for a normal kitchen and a commercial kitchen. The faucet system, drain position, layering material – everything is customized based on the purpose a sink needs to fulfill.
A bathroom sink is mostly for a decorative outlook, and that’s why porcelain and granite sinks are better for it. On the other hand, kitchens require sinks that can withstand high temperatures and constant usage. That’s why it’s better to get quartz sand or stainless steel sinks for personal kitchens.
It’s a completely different world in the commercial kitchen, though. You need something super sturdy and durable to keep up with the fast-paced kitchen line. As a result, there’s no better alternative to stainless steel sinks for such kitchens.
Mounting Style
The mounting style varies from sink to sink based on the design of the kitchen counter-top it will settle down in. Most of the kitchen sinks that we reviewed today had an undermount sink style.
Undermount sinks are great for personal kitchens as they can integrate seamlessly with the counter-top. This integration saves up on some much-needed storage space.
You can also find the top mount, universal mount, drop-in, etc., mounting style for your kitchen sink. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, so do your due research before deciding on a proper mounting style.
Installation Procedure
Finally, the last important thing to look out for is the installation method of your preferred sink. Depending on the design of your kitchen counter-top, you need to decide how to install your sink on the platform. Remember, the way the sink’s once settled down is how you will have to work on it.
Many enthusiastic homeowners often try to install the sinks themselves in the kitchen area. It might seem fun, but we highly advise against such activities as that can lead to improper plumbing and installation. To get the most out of your sink, always consult a professional.
