mccabinet galley sink

Kitchen Sink Options

Did you know that 60 percent of time spent in the kitchen is at the sink? Your kitchen sink has a significant impact on your day to day life, and therefore, should not only be beautiful, but should stand the test of time. When remodeling your kitchen and shopping for a new kitchen sink, there is a lot more to consider than meets the eye – size, material and mounting style all come in to play when making a decision. 

Thankfully, as the hardest working item in almost every American kitchen, today’s sinks are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials to meet every family’s needs.

Here are the top considerations to deliberate when determining what kind of kitchen sink will look best in your space. 

NUMBER OF BASINS:

To determine how many bowls your kitchen sink should have, consider first how you use your kitchen sink.  Do you wash a lot of dishes, baking sheets, or deep pots?  Or do you mainly use your sink to prep food?  With the answers to these questions, you can begin narrowing down the options that will work best.

Many homeowners are opting for large, single-basin sinks, often referred to as farmhouse sinks, rather than double sinks, to make room for bulky pots and pans. This option is on-trend, and incredibly functional for most families.  In many kitchens, the primary, single basin sink is often accompanied by a smaller prep sink.

Should you opt for a sink with two bowls, ensure you select a sink with enough room to comfortably complete your daily tasks. Most dual level sinks feature an oversized bowl for washing or soaking, with another smaller sink for rinsing or a garbage disposal. Make sure both bowls are large enough to meet your kitchen needs.

MATERIAL:

There are many different materials available for kitchen sinks, but few stand out amongst the competition.

Stainless steel is often used in kitchen sinks as it is extremely durable and generally matches most aesthetics.  For homeowners with natural stone counters, stainless is always a top choice.  While stainless steel can be loud, this problem can be remedied with sound-absorbing technology, which is available from many manufacturers.

farm sink

Cast iron sinks are an option as well, and certainly have a place in the modern kitchen. Cast iron sinks are covered in a porcelain enamel that has been cured at very high temperatures. This results in a hard, durable coating that protects the underlying cast iron and gives the sink its smooth, glossy surface.  These sinks are sturdy and will last the test of time, but often require additional cabinet support as they are exceptionally heavy.

Fireclay sinks resemble cast iron sinks, but are made of an enamel that is modeled from white clay and heated to cure at a very high temperature. Like cast iron sinks, they are heavy and need to be reinforced countertops and cabinetry to support them.  Fireclay is most common in shades of white, though other colors are certainly available.

Additional, less common materials for kitchen sinks include copper, stone, and composite.  These are all options that can work beautifully for the right family and circumstances, but generally speaking require a bit more maintenance.  It is important to work with your designer to determine which option is best for you.

SINK MOUNT:

Sinks are typically undermount or overmount, while some are integrated into the countertop material.

Most common in modern kitchen designs are undermount sinks, named such because they sit underneath the surface of the counter; the edge of the sink is below the countertop.  Undermount sinks are loved for their clean look and how they complement stone and solid surface countertops.  In addition to being a popular option for their clean look, undermount sinks are a wonderful option because users can wipe waste from the counter directly into the sink.

McCabinet Silestone

Undermount sinks can be installed so that the countertop overhands the sink, stops before the edge of the sink, or flush with the sink (depending on the model of sink you are using)

Less common are overmount sinks, which sit on top of the countertop, creating a small, raised lip.  Overmount sinks are ideal for porous countertops, like butcher block, but can work with any countertop.  Since the lip of the sink covers the countertop edge, there is no possibility of moisture reaching any countertop material.

Integrated sinks are an option for Corian-like countertops, offering seamless integration with your countertop.  They are not as durable or stain resistant, but offer many of the same benefits as undermount sinks.

Contact the Design Experts at McCabinet to Help you with your Kitchen Sink

With so many options, it is imperative to work with a skilled designer to help chose which sink will work best in your space.  Your sink should not only compliment your design, but should also stand the test of time.

Come visit our showroom and see how we can help make your design dreams a reality.