You have purged, organized, cleaned, and painted; essentially you have tackled everything but the kitchen sink as far as your to-do list during physical isolation. But wait… what about the sink? Have you looked at that? Is it chipped, dented, or stained? And what is with that saying – Everything, but the kitchen sink? Why can’t we deal with the sink while we are at it? They aren’t that challenging to switch out when undergoing kitchen renovations. And switching them up might be the best decision you make when going through kitchen remodelling. Which one do you choose though?
The Kitchen Sink
The sink is a major workhorse in the kitchen. From washing dishes to filling receptacles with water, it has several important purposes. While the advent of dishwashers changed how often people need to hand wash dishes, invariably there are still some things that need to get washed in the sink. Think pots, pans, heat-sensitive items, and over-sized objects. Plus, think about all the other things that need washing—especially in light of our current pandemic—your hands people! Any produce you bring home needs rinsing too. With so many reasons to turn to your sink, the question then becomes, which sink (or sinks) do you need in your kitchen? It isn’t always easy to know, but you do have options.
Sink Options
Choosing a sink has never been easier. Don’t sink under the weight of decisions! Make an informed choice by knowing what is out there and what might work best in your home.
Number of Bowls
The number of bowls available for kitchen sinks has changed over the years and they all come with different merits. Single sinks tend to be larger, allowing for more room for pots and pans. Double sinks are great for hand washing dishes; one for wash and one for rinse water. They are also handy if you are cooking and cleaning at the same time. You can also get one and a half sinks, which feature one large sink, with a smaller bowl on the side. If you have the space, you can even get triple sinks, which have one large bowl, a smaller one, and a third smaller bowl.
Something to keep in mind when switching out your kitchen sink is whether your new sink will fit into your existing hole or whether you need to enlarge the opening to fit in the new sink. Unless you plan to change your kitchen counter as well, a smaller sink might not be your best option.
Deep VS Shallow Sinks
Many people dream of the deep farmhouse style sinks which are popular now, and for good reason! You can fit a lot into deep sinks. When it comes to everyday use though, they aren’t always as practical. A smaller, shallower sink uses less water for simple tasks. For anyone with small children, a shallower sink is also more practical for little hands with shorter reach.
Shape
Depending upon what you are using the sink for, you can get rectangles, squares, or even round sinks. Round sinks are often used secondary or bar sinks.
Undermount VS Drop-in Sinks
The other thing you need to consider when choosing a sink is whether you want to install a drop-in sink or an undermount sink. Drop in sinks are installed from above and have a lip over the counter holding them in place. They are typically easy to install and come in almost any material.
Undermount sinks, on the other hand, are installed from underneath, giving a more seamless look. Where drop-in sinks can sometimes collect grime under the lip of the sink, undermount sinks tend to be easier to clean up. Of course, undermount sinks are restricted by the weight, as they are adhered from underneath.
Material
Aside from choosing number of bowls, depth and shape of sink, and how to install it, you all need to consider what material you would like your sink made from. Stainless steel is a classic material, well-loved because of its ease of cleaning, lightweight material, and resistance to burning, cracking, or staining. It comes in different gauges, which affects the sound-deadening effect and overall weight of the sink. Beyond stainless steel, there are plenty of other options to choose from though. Think cast iron, granite or quartz composites, porcelain, or fireclay.
Bet you didn’t realize there were so many choices, did you? If you still have questions, contact Revival Home Renovations to arrange to talk to Ryan about your kitchen renovations. And wash your hands of any doubts you have about picking the right kitchen sink for you.