There are many styles, types and colors of kitchen sinks out there today. Here we are going to give you the most commonly used types of sinks out there today. Whether you know exactly what type you want or not make sure you do your home work and know all about the sink you plan on using in your kitchen because it has to work for you. If you have a large family with lots of kids, you are going to want a more durable large sink made with more durable materials. If it is just you in the house, you may want a smaller more exotic sink less durable sink. It all depends on your personal taste and how durable you need it to be to withstand daily activity. So here we go: Cast Iron Cast iron is very popluar today and has been used as a popluar kitchen sink style for many decades now. Since bare iron is extremely prone to rusting, cast iron sinks have a heavy porcelain enamel finish to keep the iron from rusting. If you were to strip the enamel off of a cast iron sink, it would have the same rough texture as a cast iron skillet. A good thing to know is that the enamel finish used on cast iron sinks is extremely tough and does not stain or scratch easily. There are a few drawbacks though.For one, it’s heavy. An average-sized iron sink can easily weigh 100 lbs or more, which is 2-3 times more than most stainless steel sinks. This can make installation more difficult, especially in the case of an under mount sink that requires additional supports to hold the sink in place under the counter. Another drawback is that the enameling of a cast iron sink can chip, and if the bare iron base is exposed it will quickly begin to rust. Concrete Concrete sinks are very stylish, often custom made and heavy. Not everyone has a concrete sink so they offer a distinctive style choice. Because it is concrete the good thing is it has unlimited customization and unique style options which allows for a seamless design. The down side is it does require periodic sealing to avoid stains and to repel moisture. It is heavy and does require sufficient base cabinet support. It can definitely get costly when custom made. Composite What does composite mean? Here is the definition: Made up of essentially different parts, separate parts or elements. Composite sinks are made by combining crushed granite or quartz with a resin filler. This combination produces a material that has a lot of the same aesthetic qualities of real granite or quartz without the maintenance and durability issues associated with those types of sinks. Composite sinks are tough and highly resistant to stains and scratching. Fire Clay Fireclay sinks are made by molding ceramic clay into the shape of the sink and allowing it to dry at a high temperature for a period of up to 40 hours. Once the clay has dried, the porcelain enamel is applied and the sink is placed in a tunnel kiln at an extremely high temperature for a period of around 20 hours. This process has the effect of fusing the enamel to the clay while greatly increasing the strength of both. Stainless Steel Compared to other materials, stainless steel tends to be inexpensive. The versatility of stainless means that stainless steel sinks are available in a variety of installation types such as under mount or top mount. Stainless steel tends to be a louder than other materials, although many sinks feature a spray coating or padding to help reduce the noise. While overall very durable, stainless steel kitchen sinks can scratch more easily than other materials. Stainless sinks also tend to show water spots more easily and it can be difficult to keep them looking immaculately clean at all times. However, they offer excellent resistance to heat and stains. Styles of kitchen sinks: Single Bowl Sink A single bowl sink has just one basin. While many homeowners assume that having more bowls is better, this isn’t always the case. Single basin sinks are usually available in compact sizes, making them ideal for small spaces and the basin of a single bowl sink is obviously going to be bigger than a double bowl sink designed to fit into the same space. A larger basin can make cleaning large dishes such as pots and oven trays much easier. Cleaning a single bowl kitchen sink is going a be a bit faster due to reduced amount of corners and edges, and single bowl models are typically cheaper than equivalent two or three bowl varieties. Double Bowl Sink The majority of modern kitchen sinks feature two bowls. This is most commonly used. Double bowl sinks come in a wide array of configurations– two equally-sized bowls of the same depth, two equal bowls of different depths, unequal size bowls, etc. The right setup for you will depend on what you do in your kitchen, so take some time to consider your options before making a purchase. Top Mount Sink This style of kitchen sink is designed to be dropped into a hole in your counter top. Top mount kitchen sinks almost always have a rim or lip that holds the sink in place and creates a finished look. Top mount sinks, also known as drop-in sinks, are relatively easy and inexpensive to install. The lip of the sink reduces the need for an internal support system under the counter, making this type of sink a good choice for do-it-yourselfers or people on a budget. One draw back to this style is it’s easy for the area between the lip of the sink and the counter to accumulate scum and dirt as well. Under Mount Sink An under mount sink is mounted underneath the counter. There is no lip or rim, which means that the edge of the counter drops off directly into the sink basin. In addition to providing a clean, modern look, this feature makes for less work when cleaning because debris can be wiped straight into the sink which makes cleaning a little easier. Unlike a top mount sink, under mount models don’t have grooves and crevices where food can accumulate which is definitely a plus point. Integral Sinks An Integral sink is a sink made out of the same material as the countertop to form a continuous surface. This has become very popular in recent years. Integral sinks are actually part of the counter and are the same material as the rest of the counter. Integral sinks can be made from lots of different materials including stainless steel, cement and composites. Integral sinks are very fashionable, and very easy to clean as well as low maintenance. RWT Design and Construction We have been in the general construction business for over 25 years. We are fully licensed and insured. We have done countless kitchen remodels over the years and are very good at what we do. We really enjoy build luxury kitchens in the greater Los Angeles area. Feel free to give us a call when you are ready to remodel your kitchen. Sincerely, RWT Design&Construction;
...read more