Even if you're not particularly enthusiastic about cooking or baking, kitchen sinks are essential design elements that can make the cooking process much easier. From washing hands to washing dishes, sinks play a very important role in this sought-after living area. In advance, we would like to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the basic types of sinks. For this reason, in today's article we will look at both the configuration and the type of installation.
Kitchen sink – installation types
The most commonly used method of installing the kitchen sink is the pre-punched hole in the countertop where you can insert the unit. In this case, the wide rim around the sink supports it on the top of the countertop. This is typically caulked in place with silicone for a waterproof fit.
Typically, these sinks are very easy to install because they essentially snap into place before caulking. Since this is the most common option, such kitchen sinks are easy to find even in large retail outlets. Additionally, these are typically available at a lower price than an undermount sink or built-in sink.
However, this version has some functional and aesthetic disadvantages. Because the rim is exposed, it is almost impossible to tip food or liquids directly into the sink. This makes it more difficult to cut the edges and theKitchen worktop in generalto clean. In addition, in a narrow kitchen, the few centimeters of surround can be crucial for the kitchen work surface. Other models have clear lines in their design. For this reason, we sometimes see the sinks mentioned above as undesirable and outdated.
Undermount sink
As the name suggests, you can attach these kitchen sinks to the underside of a countertop. Specially made brackets ensure that the sink stays in place or is supported from below by the lower structure of the cabinet.
Undermount sinks are the solutionfor almost every negative aspect of the above variants. The rimless transition allows for easier cleaning and a modern aesthetic, and such sinks take up less countertop space than others of the same size.
However, undermount sinks also have their share of negative sides. They are in principle more expensive and may require some careful design of the mounting system if the sink is particularly heavy. While food and other waste won't get stuck on the top of the countertop, you may find leftovers on the inside edge.
Integrated sink for kitchen
With a flush installation, the surface of the kitchen worktop also flows seamlessly into the sink without any edges or changes remaining visible. This is often achieved with solid materials by having the kitchen sink made of the same solids as the countertop. However, the two products are manufactured separately and connected with an adhesive seam that is almost invisible. Other versions of this built-in sink can be fitted with tiled worktops, where the tiles can extend to the edge.
The integrated sinks share the same space-saving and easy-to-clean properties as the undermount sinks, but with the added advantage of a durable material such as stainless steel or ceramic. While some people like the look of a stainless steel sink, some others prefer using a different solid.
The disadvantages of an integrated kitchen sink largely lie in the costs associated with manufacturing. Since such kitchen sinks, together with the worktops, are custom-made, you cannot buy them as ready-made products. Above all, they have to be ordered in advance and are therefore expensive and rare to find. Furthermore, replacing an incorrectly installed or damaged integrated kitchen sink can be a complicated undertaking.
Design
The design of a sink also refers to a wide range of characteristics, varying from the number of bungholes to the shape and number of bowls. A single bowl kitchen sink logically consists of a single unit that is not divided into separate areas. This version is ideal if you need to save space. It comes in a range of sizes and shapes, available as smaller round sinks or larger, rectangular models.
Because sinks are not divided into two or more shelves, a wider range of cooking utensils such as large pots and pans can fit. They also tend to be less expensive than double sinks and work well as secondary kitchen sinks or in a laundry room. Depending on how you prepare your dishes, one-piece sinks may use more water and detergent. You can't sort the different utensils individually eitherlead to a certain amount of disordercould.
Sink with two storage compartments
Similarly, a double sink is also pretty self-explanatory. This consists of either a large sink with a divider or two different bowls framed in a single basin. A standard configuration is a combination of two adjacent compartments of different sizes or a deeper and a shallower pool. However, it is also possible to find kitchen sinks with two shelves of the same size on the market. This can be a great option for your home because it is suitable for both prep and drying.
Double sinks are therefore more versatile than the other versions. This means you use less water and can easily use additional accessories such as a cutting board or sieve. However, such sinks obviously cost more and are therefore more suitable for larger rooms than for smaller kitchen areas. Due to the two compartments, it can also be difficult to wash larger items or use them for cooking.
