Common Kitchen Sinks Come In These Styles
When designing or remodeling a kitchen, one of the most important decisions homeowners face is choosing the right type of sink. With an array of sizes, materials, mounting styles and configurations to consider, selecting a sink that fits your lifestyle and complements your existing cabinetry and countertops can be overwhelming.
To simplify the process, here is an overview of the most popular kitchen sink types on the market this year. We'll explore the unique pros and cons of stainless steel, enamel, composite and other premier sinks to help you zero in on the perfect option for your home.
Categorizing Kitchen Sinks By Mounting Style
The first decision to make when shopping for a new kitchen sink is identifying the mounting style that best suits your countertop material and design aesthetic.
Top-Mount or Drop-In Kitchen Sinks
Also referred to as self-rimming or drop-in sinks, top-mount sinks sit inside specially designed countertop cutouts with the rim resting flush on the perimeter. Most affordable and readily available, top-mount sinks come in stainless steel, enamel-coated steel, solid surface composites, and fireclay. While convenient for do-it-yourself installations, top-mount sinks slightly disrupt countertop lines and do not pair as seamlessly with natural stone.
Undermount Kitchen Sinks
Undermount sinks attach below the countertop, creating a smooth transition from sink to surrounding surface. Although installation is more complex, requiring expert cutting of the countertop hole and custom mounting brackets, undermount sinks blend beautifully with natural stone countertops like granite, marble or quartz. Stainless steel and composite are common undermount sink materials that resist staining, etching or chipping.
Comparing Number of Bowls
Beyond mounting mechanisms, kitchen sinks come in single, double, or triple bowl configurations to suit specific culinary prep and cleanup needs.
Single-Bowl Kitchen Sinks
Offering one large unified basin, single-bowl sinks maximize room for washing large pots and pans. Contemporary single-bowl sinks often tout deeper bowls over 18 inches to easily fit bulky cookware. With no dividers, single-bowl models make efficient use of limited counter space in small kitchens.
Pros: Ideal for small kitchens, roomier for cleaning large cookware, takes up less valuable countertop space than double-bowl sinks.
Cons: Less hygienic as cannot separate contaminated dishes, drying rack takes up counter space, larger dishes may be difficult to wash.
Double-Bowl Kitchen Sinks
Double-bowl sinks provide versatile workspace by separating into two individual basins. The divided bowls keep dirty wash and rinse water separate for improved cleanliness when hand washing dishes. If installing a garbage disposal, the second bowl offers convenience. Many homeowners also utilize the unused basin for food prep or produce cleaning to boost workflow.
Pros: Ideal for hand-washing, accessible garbage disposal, area for food prep, separable basins for cleaning and rinsing.
Cons: Takes up more space, may be difficult to wash large cookware, wastes under-counter storage space.
Evaluating Kitchen Sink Materials
From hardy stainless steel to luxurious natural stone vessel sinks, manufacturers offer today's sinks in a variety of materials to match any kitchen decor and budget.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
The most widely used kitchen sink material, stainless steel boasts high durability and longevity. Available in a range of gauge thicknesses and finishes from matte to polished high-gloss, stainless steel brings a contemporary, professional look. The smooth nonporous surface also resists stains, is easy to clean, and withstands heavy use.
Look for thicker-gauge steel for sound dampening and preventing dents. Type 304 stainless, containing nickel and chromium, costs less but shows some corrosion over time. Opt for more impervious type 316 steel to maintain shine.
Enamel Coated Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks
Second in popularity next to stainless, enamel coated cast iron sinks offer broad style selection from minimal modern to ornate antique reproductions. Through an electroplating process, enamel coating is molecularly bonded with molten cast iron for incredible strength and scratch resistance.
Vibrant, fade-resistant colored enamel comes in myriad hues like black, biscuit, white, almond and gray to coordinate with nearly any decor. Classic fireclay farm sinks retain authentic appeal with visible crazing cracks in the porcelain surface.
Solid Surface Composite Kitchen Sinks
Constructed of natural mineral-based acrylic or recycled glass blended with resin, today's composite sinks provide durability nearly on par with stainless steel models. Available in undermount or drop-in, popular composite sink brands like Blanco Precisium or Swanstone match most countertops.
While prone to scratching from metal cookware, composite materials resist heat, impacts, and stains for low maintenance. Antimicrobial-infused materials inhibit mold, mildew and bacteria growth.
Other Premier Kitchen Sink Materials
For one-of-a-kind flair, natural materials like stone, copper, or wood bring artisan appeal. Elegant hammered copper farmhouse sinks develop a beloved living finish patina over time. Low maintenance quartz composite sinks boast stone's visual beauty without porosity. Nickel-free stainless also caters to buyers with metal allergies.
Specialty Kitchen Sinks
If your new kitchen layout has space for additional prep areas, specialty secondary sinks provide added convenience.
Bar Sink or Prep Sink
Handy bar or prep sinks situated away from the main kitchen sink make it easier for multiple people to wash hands or prep ingredients without getting in each other's way. For entertainers, installing mini bar sinks in kitchen islands or bars helps guests mix drinks without invading the cook's domain.
Pros: Convenient, makes it easier for multiple people to prep food, excellent addition to the kitchen if you entertain often.
Cons: Takes up countertop space, luxury item that may bust the budget, can be infrequently used.
With a divider 3 to 5 inches lower than standard double bowl sinks, low-divide sinks maximize room for bulky pots while keeping multitasking benefits of separated basins. The shorter divider provides ample clearance for cookie sheets, cutting boards and oversized cookware in one side without taking over your whole sink.
Pros: Room for large cookware, lower divider provides more room to wash large pots and pans.
Cons: Harder to find, more expensive to install, debris collection on rim.
By considering your personal kitchen workflow, available space and style preferences, one of these popular sink varieties is bound to perfectly suit your needs. From gleaming stainless single-bowls ideal for busy cooks to charming enamel farmhouse sinks that gather the family, keep these key options in mind while exploring kitchen sink designs to find your ideal match.
Unanswered Concepts:
Integrated Sink:
- What materials is an integrated sink typically made of?
- How does the cost of a natural stone integrated sink compare to that of a ceramic-integrated sink combination?
Corner Sink:
- What types of kitchen sinks are ideal for maximizing limited real estate in the kitchen, aside from the corner sink?
- Are corner sinks more fragile compared to other types of kitchen sinks?