A home renovation project involves many big and other seemingly small decisions to be made. Right from deciding the strategic level design of rooms and requirements, to minute details like switches, lights, sanitary ware, tiles, kitchen and kitchen items.
One such items is kitchen sink. Although may seem like a small element, think of the most used component in the kitchen and how critical it is to get this right.
To get a sink suitable to your needs, 3 points are important -
1) Material
2) Maintenance
3) Installation
Material options –
Steel – Stainless steel sinks offer broadest range of choice from different style, shapes and mounting types. Easy maintenance and cleaning make them most popular.
Ceramic- Belfast and Butler designs typically fall under Ceramic sinks. Most durable forms are chemical and stain resistant. Easy to clean and maintain.
Composite- Very much in trend, these are formed by blending man made and natural stone particles. High resistance to stains and scratches, anti-bacterial properties and can withstand high temperatures. Available in various colours including black, grey and other neutrals, to match with the worktop colour. Staining could still happen if the food juices or colouring is allowed to sit, these need to be cleaned quickly.
Mounting options-
Inset –
The most commonly seen type, especially in case of laminate worktops. The bowl drops down through the kitchen worktop into the cabinet below and the rim sits on the surface. They are self- supporting and easy to install. The rim can prevent spills around the edge; however, the edge requires cleaning for trapped dirt and dust. The sealant around the edge needs maintenance as the seal can start to peel due to water sitting around the edge.
Undermount-
These are also a popular choice, more seen in case of Quartz or Granite worktop. Mounted below the worktop, these are more aesthetically pleasing. Easy to clean and maintain. Installation by a professional kitchen installer is required to secure it in place correctly.
Key points to look for-
Sink depth and width-
Available in various sizes. Standard 1 & ½ bowl sinks have the bigger bowl around 350mm width. The bigger bowl sizes available are 500mm, 700mm and others. If you don’t use the cutlery bowl, it might be wise to go for 1 single big bowl which is 700x500mm in dimension.
However, if you use the waste crusher you may prefer 1 & ½ bowl option and get 500mm wide bigger bowl than standard 350mm. Make sure you think about your use and preference and discuss with a seller to know the options available.
Tap holes-
Inset sinks usually come with pre drilled holes, make sure that they work with the tap you want to use.
Undermount and Belfast sinks need holes drilled into the worktop, make sure you have enough space at the back to allow this when choosing the sink.
Other items around the sink-
Tap- Its wise to invest some time in looking for the right kind of tap for your use. The taps with the spray feature are very popular these days than the standard spouts. Many taps come with provision to have filtered water and boiling water suitable for drinking.
Water filter -cold and hot water tap- There is an option to have a filter tap separate to the main tap, which can have a hot water tank fitted under the sink. This dispenses hot and cold filtered water. In case of installing these, you would need to make sure the plumbing is done to suit, around the sink.
Waste crusher- Waste crusher is usually installed in the small bowl in a 1 & ½ sink. If you are looking to install one of these you would need to allow for the cabinet space underside of sink.
Bins- You may want to have bins installed under a sink. Make sure at the design stage the depth of the sink allows for the bins you are looking to install, to avoid any clash at the installation stage.
Costs-
Stainless steel- Single bowl inset with drainboard can start from £60, 1& ½ Bowl can start from £140 in a good brand, to 2 bowls under £200. Single big bowls undermounted would be around £400 + and the two bowls in brands like Grohe can go upto £1k+. Prices vary depending on mounting type.
Ceramic-
Standard single bowl with drain board & Belfast style range in price from £200 - £400.
Composite-
Prices range between £120 to £700, depending on bowls, size and mounting type. Standard 1 & ½ bowl ones you would be looking at £200- £350 for a good quality sink.
Its best to discuss details your requirements with your kitchen designer at design stage. This would ensure that the right size of sink, type of tap and other critical items are picked as per your usage and requirements.
Σχόλια