Selecting a Kitchen Sink

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The kitchen sink is arguably one of the most frequented areas of the kitchen, used in food preparation, clean up, and washing. With today's myriad of sink choices in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and materials, homeowners have a vast array to choose from. With so many options, how do you select just the right one? Homeowners should keep in mind that the sink they choose should withstand years of daily use. Furthermore, since it is a visual focal point, the sink should balance both style and function.

Materials
Homeowners used to only have really two options when it came to the material of their kitchen sink: cast iron or stainless. These days, there's a material available to fit nearly every style, function, and budget. Kitchen sinks are typically made from stainless steel, cast iron, solid surfaces, or composites. Lower-gauge stainless steel offers a quality sink, especially for homeowners who tend to be hard on their sinks. Cast-iron tends to be more aesthetically pleasing but is not recommended for homeowners who are hard on their sinks; they can scratch and wear over time.

Ease of Cleaning
Solid surface sinks are ideal for easy clean up. Also known as a flush-mounted sink, the edges of the sink rest level with the counter, creating a seamless, integrated look that is easy to clean and sanitize.

Bowl Size
Most kitchens are outfitted with a standard double bowl sink, typically due to space constraints. Since most homeowners still hand wash large baking sheets, pots, and pans frequently, at least one oversized sink bowl (coupled with a standard-sized bowl) is ideal.

Mount
As mentioned previously, a flush-mounted sink sits level with the countertop for a seamless edge. A top-mounted sink sits slight above the counter, creating a small lip which can be problematic when it comes to cleaning. However, top-mounted sinks are required for laminate counter-tops since the edges cannot be exposed. Under-mount sinks sit slightly below the countertop and are typically used in conjunction with solid surface or stone counters. Finally, integrated kitchen sink faucets are built in as part of the counter; they appear as a flush-mounted sink yet the difference is the sink and countertop are a single piece.