How to Choose Your Perfect Kitchen Sink
May 8, 2018The kitchen tends to be one of the most highly-trafficked rooms in a house. Between meal prep, snacks, cleaning, and more, a lot happens in the kitchen. When you get the chance to design your dream kitchen in your custom home, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the details like countertops, appliances, kitchen islands, cabinets, and more. What about the kitchen sink? Here are a few considerations on how to choose your perfect kitchen sink:
Height
The height of your kitchen sink will likely be determined by the height of your countertops. Still, it’s something to consider and definitely something to think about when it comes to how to choose your perfect kitchen sink. Sure, there is a standard cabinet and countertop height, but it may not fit well for everyone. For example, the established height for countertops is about 36 inches above the floor, which is considered the optimal ergonomic height for most activities in the kitchen.
However, this standard is usually for people between 5 feet, 3 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches tall. If you are much taller or shorter than this range and are the main, or only, person who will be using the kitchen, it might be a good idea to go against the standard and explore a different countertop height. With custom cabinets and countertops in your custom home, you can get cabinets, countertops, and therefore, a sink, at the right height for you.
Size
Consider your cooking habits, the tools you use, and how much you’ll be using your kitchen sink. If your sink will need to hold various saucepans and pots during the course of meal prep, you’ll want to opt for a deeper, larger sink to ensure you have plenty of room.
Number of Basins
Another option to consider is how many basins your ideal sink should have. A single basin kitchen sink offers unobstructed space within the sink while a double or triple basin sink offers built-in sections for separation. For even more sink space, you can also plan to install a secondary sink in your kitchen island. In case your meal prep requires a full basin and you still need another one plus an open faucet, this secondary sink can be a big help.
Mount Type
The style, or mount type, of your kitchen sink makes a big difference visually. It generally doesn’t affect functionality the way height and size do. In general, mount types fall into one of three categories – drop-in, undermount, and farmhouse.
Drop-In Mount
A drop-in mount gets its name because the sink “drops in” to the countertop. The rim of the sink rests on top of the countertop and becomes part of the visual design. With a drop-in mount, the countertops are installed first, then the sink is installed, or “dropped in”.
Undermount
Undermount, on the other hand, is a sink mounted below the countertops. In this case, the rim of the sink is not visible, which provides clean lines in your kitchen design. With undermounts, the sink is installed first and then the countertops are installed over them.
Farmhouse
The farmhouse mount, also called an apron front sink, is typically a type of undermount. However, the front of the sink is left exposed. Farmhouse sinks are generally deep and wide basins with a slightly decorative front.
The mount type you choose is all about style and what look you prefer with your kitchen sink.
Material
Another consideration for how to choose your perfect kitchen sink is the material of your kitchen sink. The layout of your kitchen, how you plan to use your sink, and the look you’re going for are all factors that affect the material that will fit your kitchen sink the best.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a classic kitchen appliance material. It is heat, rust, and stain-resistant and offers a neutral tone.
Copper
Copper is a metal that resists rust and bacteria. It offers an elegant and natural touch to your kitchen.
Cast Iron
Cast iron is durable and easy to clean. It offers a bright, smooth, and almost glassy texture to your kitchen sink.
Fireclay
Fireclay can be enamel or porcelain. It’s fired at extreme temperatures for an attractive ceramic look that is also extremely durable.
Granite/Quartz Composite
This sink material blends quartz and granite rock and resin for a durable sink material. Much like granite or quartz countertops, a granite/quartz composite sink adds an elegant touch to your kitchen. As with any material, there are pros and cons of quartz sinks to consider, which can help you determine if this is the right choice for you.
It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to kitchen sink materials. Unless you’ll be doing commercial-grade cooking at home, any of these materials could be a good fit for your kitchen sink. If you’re having trouble deciding between them, consider the color and style of the cabinets, countertops, and other appliances you plan to have in your kitchen and choose a material for your sink that fits in.
When you’re planning out your custom home, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the details. A custom home builder with a fantastic design/build process can take a lot of the stress out of the process. Contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090 to get started on the journey towards your dream home!