That Sinking Feeling: Kitchen & Bath Sinks 4-1-1-
In 2019 imagining a kitchen or bathroom without a sink would give us a sinking feeling. It wasn’t until indoor plumbing became popular here and abroad that sinks actually produced water. Dry sinks – lined with zinc or lead - were the norm with water in pitchers or buckets. Fast forward quite a few decades and we are overflowing with sink choices.
As with other key elements in kitchens and baths, there are some basic pieces of information to understand about sinks:
Bowl configuration – shape & style
Size & depth
Composition of material
Bowl Configuration
Of course the layout of your space impacts what you can choose for the sink in your kitchen or bath. Are you using more than one sink in your kitchen? That will influence your choice as well.
Bowls come in three basic shapes: round, square and rectangle. Then there are specialty and custom sinks, trough bar and vanity sinks, ‘wave’ sinks – you dream it and it’s out there somewhere. The shape is also determined by whether it contains a single, double, or triple section.
The main types of sinks we install are:
Undermount
Apron front (also known as Farmhouse
Stone sinks to match countertop materials
Vessel – On vanity or wall-hung
Top mount (but rarely)
An undermount sink is defined by the edge beneath the surrounding counter. You will recognize a top mount sink because an edge is visible that lays on top of the surrounding counter.
Another consideration is the number of holes drilled in the sink or countertop – single faucet or separate hot and cold valves, usually set at a 4” or 8” spread. Additional holes may be drilled for side-spray fixture. Most sinks have a single drain in the center of the bowl, or offset on the side, but there are rectangular drains in some trough sinks and other specialty designs.
Size & Depth
There are a variety of depths available in sinks and this is another consideration. Deep sinks have become more popular (similar to commercial sinks) because people use them to bathe dogs, babies, and fill large pots of water. Particular attention needs to be paid to see if a deep sink is right for the height of the user. Extra shallow sinks are available to be placed in cabinetry for use by persons with accessibility needs.
Apron front sinks are not necessarily deeper than undermount sinks. The front of the sink takes the place of the drawer head of the cabinet. The sides are more pronounced where the counters meet the sink. You can find plain apron front sinks or fancy beveled and textured fronts, some made in a ‘frame’ of matching backsplash tile and countertop materials.
Another trend in sinks is the radius of the corners. Some are completely 90-degree angles while some sinks are more curved around the corners.
As for size, need a tiny corner sink? Sure, no problem. Want an oversized utility sink? Again, readily available these days because people want them.
Secondary sinks in kitchens have gained in popularity, especially in kitchens with separate wet bar areas.
Composition of Material
Sinks come in a variety of materials:
Stainless steel
Porcelain
Copper, Zinc & Metals
Cast iron/enamel
Stone
Glass
Composites & Acrylics
Duravit offers sinks made of DuraCeram® - made to look like ceramic but with the “strength of flooring, composed of limestone with a strong resin,” according to their website. Maintenance is definitely a consideration when choosing a sink – like certain countertops – some materials require more care than others.
Finding the right sink for your project can be overwhelming with all the choices available. But it doesn’t have to be. If you’re unsure, the KitchenVisions team will guide you. Our goal is to create the best solution for your design aesthetic!
