Kitchen sinks HOW TO CHOOSE
Have you bought everything bar the kitchen sink? Then use our handy buyer’s guide, covering everything from ceramic to composite granite, to find the perfect match for your kitchen
Even though most modern kitchens come with a dishwasher to handle the bulk of the washing up, the kitchen sink is still a vital feature of every culinary zone. It’s used for washing vegetables, scrubbing pots and sometimes as a waste disposal unit, so it’s important to select a model that caters to your lifestyle, as well as looking good.
“The sink will be the most used component of your kitchen, so take the time to find one that meets your needs and that you’ll enjoy using,” says Andy Hampson, director of operations at Shaws of Darwen. “Sinks and taps are categories where investing in high quality is always worthwhile.”
Assessing how you use your current sink on a day-to-day basis is a sensible starting point. If you don’t cook a lot and rely on your dishwasher for most clean-up operations, it may be that a single bowl offers the perfect level of functionality. At the other end of the scale, busy family kitchens or those that belong to keen cooks might benefit from a more versatile setup that incorporates an additional bowl, waste disposal function and hot water tap. Materials, maintenance and installation are all key considerations, too.
MATERIAL OPTIONS
STEEL This practical choice is durable, long-lasting and easy to keep clean. “Having dominated the sink market for many years, stainless steel sinks offer the broadest range of choice from different styles, shapes and mounting types, so you’ll be sure to find a design to match the needs of your individual kitchen,” says Elina Enqvist-twomey, category manager at Grohe.
It’s important to check the gauge of a steel sink — that is, the number that denotes the thickness of the material. Smaller numbers indicate a thicker layer of steel. Ideally, you want to install a sink with a gauge of 18, though some high-end models come with a gauge of 16 — the lowest demarcation possible.
In terms of maintenance, stainless steel offers a low-upkeep solution. After using the sink, a quick rinse with soapy water will keep it clean on a day-today basis.weekly cleans with a cream cleaner will help the metal maintain its attractive sheen. “You should avoid using a plastic washing up bowl with stainless steel as over time this well cause abrasion marks,” says Jeanette Ward, communications manager at Franke UK.
CERAMIC This traditional choice offers a timeless aesthetic. Though ceramic sinks are usually associated with Belfast and Butler designs, a selection of undermounted and inset models are now available. Fireclay ceramic is a popular option. “Fireclay produces the most durable form of ceramic,” says Andy from Shaws of Darwen. “A Shaws fireclay sink is glazed twice and fired at a higher temperature and for longer than a more common vitreous china sink. This makes the surface stain-resistant and chemical-resistant and gives it antibacterial properties.”
“Ceramic sinks can simply be wiped down with a soft cloth or sponge and some mild liquid soap or any vinegar-based cleaner to keep them looking like new,” says Franke’s Jeanette. “Water marks, grease or soap deposits can be removed with a coloured sink cleaner.” Avoid abrasive cleaners that risk dulling the lustrous finish of your ceramic surface.
COMPOSITE This more recent addition to the market comprises a blend of man-made and natural stone particles. Composite sinks can withstand high temperatures (up to 280°C), have anti-bacterial properties and are highly resistant to stains and scratches. Many manufacturers have their own patented composite blends. Those made with a high proportion of granite tend to be the best quality, with those that are high in quartz taking second place. “They’re a good choice for consumers wanting to reflect the trend for mixing
materials,” says Jeanette Ward. “They come in a wide range of colours including black, greys and neutrals.” Composite sinks are low-maintenance — just be sure to quickly wash away brightly coloured vegetable juices and dyes to avoid staining.
INSET VS UNDERMOUNTED
INSET The bowl of an inset sink (also called an overmount or sit-on sink) drops down into your kitchen worktop, with the rim overlapping and resting on the work surface. Inset sinks are self-supporting, easy to install, and suitable for all types of worktop. “The subtle raised lip around the edge can prevent spills from flowing out onto countertops, making them great for people with busy kitchens,” says George Holland, design expert at Victorian Plumbing. On the downside, the raised edge can act as a trap for dust and dirt. Plus, if water is left to pool around the edges, the sealant can start to peel.
UNDERMOUNTED An undermounted sink sits below the worktop. This allows for a streamlined aesthetic, but makes it more difficult to install. “The lack of lip makes cleaning and maintaining the appearance of an undermount sink a breeze,” says George from Victorian Plumbing. “If you choose to have one fitted, be sure to check your installer uses more than just silicone to secure it to the underside of your counter. We’ve seen several cases of undermounted sinks falling in due to poor installation.”
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
When shopping for your sink, there’s more than just material and mounting to consider.
Several other aspects of their design are also important.
SINK DEPTH A deep bowl is a smart option if you often scrub large pots and pans. However, you don’t want a sink so deep it takes forever to fill. Using a plastic washing up bowl is one way to overcome this issue, but some manufacturers advise against this in case dirt stuck to the base of the bowl leaves marks on your sink’s surface.
WITH OR WITHOUT TAP HOLES? Inset designs typically come with one or multiple holes pre-drilled for taps. Be sure to check that these match the taps you want to install, or alternatively invest in a package that includes both a sink
and taps to keep things easy.
Undermounted sinks and some Belfast sinks require a hole to be drilled into the work surface to accommodate taps — check there is enough space behind the sink to mount them.
SINGLE BOWL VS DOUBLE VS 1.5 Available space is likely to be one of the biggest deciding factors here. Expansive worktops give you the freedom to incorporate second bowls, draining boards, automatic waste disposal units etc. “Double bowl sinks are perfect for bigger families, larger kitchens or those that are in high demand,” says Elina from Grohe. Built-in draining boards are a common feature on stainless steel and composite sinks.
RETROFITTING YOUR SINK
It should be straightforward to switch out an old inset sink for a new one. When measuring up, take down the dimensions for your existing sink as well as the aperture it’s set into so you can check this against the sizing for your new sink.
“Pick a sink the same size or slightly bigger than your current model. It may seem like common sense to avoid choosing a sink way smaller than the gap left by your old one — but many people make that mistake,” says George from Victorian Plumbing. Ideally, you want the cut-out in the worktop to be hidden as effectively by the new sink as the one you’ve removed so you don’t have to adjust the size of the aperture too much. Check you have space to accommodate the depth of the new sink, and any integrated draining boards that sit off to the side.
“Avoid cutting the worktop aperture too big as it needs to support the weight of the inset sink,” says Luke Shipway, product manager at Caple. Inset designs work well with most types of worktop, particularly laminate. By contrast, laminate surfaces don’t tend to partner well with undermounted models, as any exposed edges will be prone to water damage.
If you want to incorporate a larger sink, it isn’t usually too difficult to alter the sizing of the aperture in a laminate worktop, though this is a job best left to a professional. Most traditional ceramic models can only be fitted into solid worktop materials that will support their weight.
INSTALLATION
Fitting an inset sink is feasible for a competent DIYER, but undermounted models need to be properly supported and fixed so it’s wise to bring in a professional installer. Fitting the new sink shouldn’t take more than a few hours. Prices will vary depending on where you are in the country, but labour costs typically range between £100 and £150. “It’s vital to get your measurements right and include your tap base aperture if it is set into the worktop,” says Luke from Caple.
Check that your chosen sink has an undercoating applied to its base to protect the area of the worktop that has been cut from damp. With a solid granite countertop, water exposure won’t make a huge difference, but a laminate worktop will expand if exposed to too much moisture. The undercoating also provides good sound insulation when washing bulky pots and pans, and it prevents condensation from forming on the underside of the sink. Typically, your sink will be sealed into the worktop using a high-grade sealant to ensure a watertight fit. “Ordinarily, with inset sinks, a bead of silicone will be applied to the sink’s underside,” says George from Victorian Plumbing. “Once the sink has been set in place, a second line of silicone will be applied around its edge where it meets the countertop.”