Kitchen Sinks

This is the question I get asked the most. So here are top tips/questions for choosing a kitchen sink.

Number 1 - Measuring up for your sink.
This seems common sense but so many people get this wrong and we hear 'it looked like it would fit' so often. So here are some tips on measuring up for your sink

The cabinet beneath the sink is very important as the size of this can determine which size sink, and also the type of sink you can have.

Measuring Cabinet Width: (From the left hand edge to the right hand edge)
You need to measure how wide your cabinet is and compare it to the width measurement of the sink. This is to ensure your cabinet is big enough to fit the sink you want.
The normal width of a cabinet is between 500mm and 600mm, which mean's there is a large range of sink widths and there is no standard cabinet width to work from.

Measuring Bowl Depth:
You need to measure how tall your cabinet is so that you can work out how much space the bowl(s) of the sink will take up inside your cabinet. This will then allow you to work out how much space will be left in the cabinet for the under sink plumbing, a waste disposal unit, and all those items we store hidden away beneath the kitchen sink.
Some ranges of sinks offer a deeper bowl for which is ideal for larger families or large pots and pans; we recommend you work out how much space you will need if you are considering buying one of these.
It is also important to check if you have any dividing walls in your cabinet, which may mean you cannot choose certain designs of sink. It may also dictate which side you need to have your drainer to avoid trying to fit a bowl where a dividing wall is. If you do have dividing walls in your cabinet you may find it easier to remove them altogether, so you can consider more designs and to make the installation process simpler.

Measuring Depth: (Depth from back of wall to front of sink)
You need to measure the width of your cabinet from the back wall to the front, so that you can make sure the design you choose is not too big for your cabinet and worktop.
When you are ordering an under-mount sink or a sink for a granite work-surface you need to make sure you have enough space to fit in the sink and (depending on the design) to fit your taps as well.

Once you have the measurements sorted then you can choose the sink style material etc. A quick guide to the materials sinks come in

Stainless Steel
These are traditionally the more popular style of sink and are very economically priced. They are also easy to clean which can be very handy, and the brushed finish to the stainless steel makes scratches look less obvious over time.

Granite / Composite Sinks
These are sinks made from a hard wearing almost stone-like material, and the factor that sets them aside from other sinks is you can get them in a variety of colours, from a beige/sand-stone finish to black or even green, so they will fit comfortably into any kitchen colour scheme.
Each manufacturer calls their granite mixture by a different name, for example:
Franke - Fraganite
Astracast - ROK
This basically means that they are made of granite mixed with other strong materials and they come in a wide variety of colours. They are extremely sturdy when fitted and have great durability.

Ceramic Sinks (the traditional look)
Ceramic sinks are again exceptionally strong. They are only available in white (with the exception of the Franke MTK range), and are popular with people who are going for a 'period' look, especially in older properties, and gradually they are becoming part of a modern looking kitchen with their clean lines and minimalistic look.

Toughened Glass Sinks - BRAND NEW!
These are the first two of their kind on the market with a very modern design. They look set to be very popular. Made of toughened glass they not only look good but are hygienic, strong, low rise (almost flat to the table top) and available in black and aqua.

Some other factors to consider are sink type and number of bowls.

Sink Type
Inset Sinks
Inset sinks are the conventional type of sink, fixed into place with the rim of the sink overlapping the worktop. If you're looking for a sink with a drainer attached, then an inset sink is the best choice for you. The inset sink comes in the widest variety of styles and types and can be fitted into almost any worktop.

Undermount Sinks
These sinks are fixed into place underneath the worktop and can only be installed into waterproof worktops such as granite. Undermount sinks come in a variety of styles and designs including undermount drainers, but these aren't attached to the main bowl like the inset sinks.

Ceramic Sinks
Although you can find ceramic inset and under mount sinks, the Ceramic Belfast is a little different. They are the traditional large white sinks with a sluice style overflow at one side of the sink. Ceramic Belfasts are mounted on brackets attached to the wall behind the sink and do not fit into kitchen units.

One Bowl or Two?
I always recommend going for more than bowl as it makes it much easier to use the sink. However if you don't have the space then you can get some big bowl single sinks to give you maximum usability. The bowl come in the following numbers -

Single Bowl
As the name suggests, a single bowl sink is one basin without any built in dividers. The advantage with this simple design is space. A large single bowl sink gives you flexibility to wash large pots and pans. Or a small single bowl can be used as a second sink fitted in the kitchen island.

One and a Half Bowl
The one and a half bowl sink is the most popular in the UK market. A smaller half bowl sits along side a larger main bowl with the drainer area located to the side. The smaller bowl allows the sink to be used for different activities in each bowl i.e. washing up in the main while preparing vegetables in the smaller bowl.

Double Bowl
A double bowl sink allows two people to work at the sink at the same time, independently. It has a far more reliable layout for multitasking. You can either have two bowls the same size or one bowl can be larger than the other.

Triple Bowl (a big sink)
A triple bowl sink usually consists of two larger bowls with a smaller bowl in the middle. Triple bowls provide a lot of versatility in the kitchen. There is enough space so that two or even three people can work around the kitchen sink.

How to keep your sink clean!
The all important question.

Stainless Steel
To keep your stainless steel sink looking as good as new use a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaning cream. It helps remove persistent stains, including rust. Some sink manufacturers like Franke have their own version. Always wipe with the grain, rinse thoroughly and then dry when finish.

For perfect cleaning without chemicals give the E Cloth a try. The E Cloth works on stainless steel, glass, tiles, granite, marble, wood, plastic and ceramics. It cleans grease from all hard surfaces using only water, reducing the use of household chemicals by 80 - 90%.

The E-Cloth is fully machine washable and can be washed up to 300 times.

Tap Flosser
Ideal for keeping your taps in tip top condition, the Tap Flosser cleans chrome, stainless steel and porcelain without scratching. The Tap Flosser has two sides, one for polishing and the other for buffing. The flosser can be used dry or with water, so no household chemicals are needed. The Tap Flosser is machine washable, goes in with the e-cloth!

General Cleaning
Stubborn stains on Fragranite sinks can be removed using biological washing powder or a concentration of dishwasher powder (sometimes left overnight). Diluted bleach may also be used but not allowed to dry on the surface. Do not use bleach for prolonged periods on stainless steel sinks.

I hope that helps in finding a sink for you. I haven't forgotten but you need to pick a tap but that is a whole new chapter. Who thought these things were so complicated.

Good luck and happy hunting