Choosing the Right Kitchen Sink: Styles and Materials for Your Home
This past week, we wrote and published a Blog article about different types of countertops available for kitchens. The choice for a countertop makes a big difference because it can really change either the aesthetic, the budget, or the functional aspects of a kitchen. For example, solid surface countertops are largely stain free, to a degree, and wood countertops have a very nice warm natural feel to them that can make a kitchen feel more comfortable. These two different types of countertops are opposites, in many ways, comparing their featured characteristics, but the choice can make a big difference in the overall finish of the kitchen. And there’s no clear answer of which one’s better, depending on the particular combination of the countertop with the paired elements of the other design details in the kitchen. They each have features and positive details and tradeoffs.
The sink shown in the photo below is a two compartment drop in stainless steel sink. The stainless steel metal surface has a brushed finish. If you look very closely at the surface of the sink, you’ll see a pattern of very small wire brush lines on the surface that give the sink an almost muted / matte or non-polished look. That look is intentional because although smooth polished sinks can also be an option, in a reflective surface like polished stainless steel, the reflective surface easily shows spots of water droplets after they dried. The brushed finish instead is generally preferred because it can look better in typical circumstances.
Kitchen sinks are available in either deep or shallow configurations. The shallower configurations often leave a little bit more room to install a disposer underneath of the sink, but most people find that the deeper sinks are much more convenient for washing dishes.
A farmhouse sink, also sometimes called an apron-front sink, is a type of kitchen sink that has an exposed front, generally ceramic or porcelain on a cast iron body, that extends past the cabinet below the sink. Both of these material types, ceramic and porcelain (on cast iron) are generally pretty heavy, but since the porcelain varieties are set on a cast iron body, they are generally extremely heavy.
The next picture below shows a different type of stainless steel sink, very similar to the material used in the picture at the top of the article which is a sheet metal, the sink shown here below is not sheet metal. It’s much thicker and where sheet metal needs to have bends to form rigidity, the material below is approximately 1/8 in thick and does not require bends built into the sheet metal. The sheet metal, by comparison is roughly half the thickness and bends in the thin metal help create rigidity because a bent sheet metal will be very stiff whereas in unbent sheet metal will be flimsier.
The picture below shows an integrated sink that is continuously built as part of the countertop. These types of countertops are typically made from materials like solid surface, quartz, or concrete. The countertop and sink are formed as a single, continuous piece, with a seamless transition from the countertop to the sink basin.
Since there are no visible joints or seams, the overall context is a bit more sleek and modern. Materials such as Corian (a solid surface material) or quartz composites are popular choices for these sinks because they can be molded or fabricated to create the desired seamless effect.
The seamless transition makes cleaning easier by preventing dirt and grime from accumulating in the joint between the countertop and the edge of the sink. This type of sink is becoming popular in contemporary or minimalist kitchen designs, where smooth surfaces and clean lines are preferred. Integrated sinks can be customized in various shapes and sizes to match the overall kitchen design.
This coming week, we’ll look at another detail of kitchen sinks and the interface with the countertop, specifically the difference between drop-in type sinks like some of the ones shown here and undermount sinks.
Dupont Kitchen & Bath Can Help
As dedicated and local DC metropolitan kitchen and bath builders and installers, we pride ourselves on turning your visions into reality. Your kitchen can reflect your unique style and be designed with personalized aesthetics. It can be a process from creative designs to the realization of your dream space. Specializing in kitchen and bath construction, we bring expertise and skills to every project. If you’re contemplating a renovation, upgrade, or modernization in the local market, we’re happy to be your team. Consult with us, and we can start together on a path to redefine and elevate your DC living experience.
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