When you’re a little kid imagining you are furnishing your dream home, it’s not likely that the humble kitchen sink plays any part in your fantasy. So, when the time comes, sinks can be hard to choose because it’s not something we tend to think about – until we have to, that is.
You’re in luck, though, because we’ve compiled a guide to sink-buying that should give you a solid foundation on where to go next. We’ll cover a few popular styles of sink, as well as a couple of different materials that you might consider.
So, if you’re a person who’s doing or planning to do some renovation work in the kitchen and are in the market for a new sink but can’t make a decision on one yet, you are in the right place!
How to Choose a Kitchen Sink
There are thousands, if not millions of different sink styles out there. There is no way to cover them all, so we’re going to cover some of the main ones in this article.
The Farmhouse
The Farmhouse is a one-bowl sink, typically with a single faucet as well. The bowl is typically very deep and long, with a lot of room for dishes and other larger, washable items. This style also gives a great, spacious feel.
The Undermount
The Undermount sink is a sink that is lifted up from beneath the countertop and is very popular in Singapore. The faucet and bowl are both fastened from below, giving the feeling that they are coming up out of the countertop. This style makes your kitchen have a very modern feel to it.
The Drop-In
This is not so much of a style as a function of different sinks. The Drop-In sink is easy to install because– you guessed it– it just “drops in.” They are typically reinforced with screws or different clamps underneath the bowl and can have any arrangement of bowls.
The real key is finding a Drop-In that has a perimeter that fits your sink space’s specifications. Of course, if you find a sink that you just love, you could always adjust the cut of your granite or wood where your sink is meant to sit.
Materials
Now that we’ve covered a few of the basic styles of sink, let’s go over the different materials and why they matter.
Copper
Copper is exceptional because it doesn’t rust. In fact, it isn’t likely to change at all because of its durability. The only change will be the time-stamped finish that copper sinks have.
Each copper sink develops differently over time, and this patina gives a unique feeling to each one.
Stainless Steel
This is by far the most common material in modern sinks. Stainless steel is clean, easily washable, and it looks great. Stainless steel has a few different looks, and that is due to the fact that it has a few different possible gauges, or tiers of material.
Porcelain
These are a smooth, relatively durable style of sink. Porcelain sinks are also stain and scratch resistant. Additionally, they are safe at extremely high temperatures and help to block the noise of the pipes beneath them.
Key Features
Size, Width & Depth
The size, width and depth of your kitchen sink will depend on your lifestyle and how you intend to use it. Will you be entertaining often? Will you be washing your plates in the sink or will you have a dishwasher? Will you need one or two sides? Choosing the sink with the correct size, width and depth will make your life much easier.
Leak-Proof Design
This is one of the most important features you need to consider. Unfortunately, most homeowners, especially first timers, take it for granted that their sink is leak proof. That’s not the case. A leaking sink is more common that expected and can cause considerable damage. On average, homeowners spend S$2,750 for kitchen cabinet replacements due to sink leakages.
This is a problem for both undermount and drop-in sinks.
Furthermore, the majority of homeowners do not know they have a kitchen sink leakage until they smell the pungent odour of rotting wood. By then, it’s too late.
To solve this problem, the team at Aurastone has worked hard to develop the patent-pending Aurasink. It offers a leak-proof ridge design that prevents water from leaking from your sink and destroying your cabinets.
We even have a customised clamping system to give home owners even more peace of mind by ensuring that the silicone is firmly applied to the ridge.
Ready to Buy Your Kitchen Sink?
There are people out there who can help you make your kitchen sink decision. Do not leave it as an afterthought. Speak with your interior designer to hear what they have to say as soon as you can. If you’re looking for more information on our innovative Aurasink, visit our product page or contact us directly.
