Kitchen sink

A sink in the kitchen is one of the most important elements. And the choice must be approached thoroughly, because the wrong sink for the kitchen will bring the hostess a lot of problems. Unsuitable sizes will result in back pain or the inability to wash as many dishes as you use every day at the same time, and materials can either greatly facilitate the care of the sink or make you spend a lot of time on it. In this article we will consider all the nuances regarding what a kitchen sink should be and how to choose it correctly.

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We set goals correctly

In order for your choice to be correct, we define the criteria that your sink should meet:

• capacious;
• surface resistant to high temperatures and durable to withstand accidental shocks;
• resistant to various detergents;
• simplicity and easy to maintain.

Important! Carefully consider all of the following nuances:

• Decide on the style of your kitchen;
• which mixer do you prefer;
• Will you install filters and a chopper for food waste.

All of these factors also affect how you choose a sink for your kitchen.

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Sink size and bowl depth

Now a wide variety of kitchen sinks. For the right choice of sink dimensions and material, you need to take into account the number of people in the family, their culinary preferences.

Important! Sinks with several sections are in great demand - two-section and three-section. They are very convenient to use. In one section, you can wash the dishes, in the other - shift to glass water, in the third - wash vegetables or fruits. But all these ideas can be embodied in a wide space. To solve the problem of placing a two-section sink in a small apartment, an angle sink will help.

Shell size calculation

To determine the size of the mortise kitchen sink, you need to measure:

• the width of the frame cabinets or cabinets;
• if your sink is equipped with a wing, then additionally measure the length and width of the tabletop fragment that the future sink will occupy

Important! When buying a sink with a wing, pay attention to the location of the additional element: if you are right handed, buy a sink with a right wing and a left handed one with a left.

When calculating the width, take into account the following nuances:

1. On the side, the sides of the sink should not lie close to the wall. It is better to maintain a distance of 5 cm. For example, if the cabinet frame width is 50 cm, then you can install a sink with a bowl width or a wing diameter of 45 cm, no more.
2. The sink should not fit less than 5 cm to the front edge of the countertop. When the distance is less, your clothes will get wet when washing dishes. But you also don’t need to install too far - you will be uncomfortable.
3. From the back wall, the apron, you also need to retreat 5 cm. It will be convenient for you to remove the water that has accumulated after washing the dishes. It is possible to step back even more if your sink does not have a special hole for the mixer.

Important! If you chose a surface wash, you have to accurately measure the width and length of the cabinet. And based on these sizes, look for an acceptable option.

Bowl depth

The depth of the bowl in your sink also plays an important role. According to experts, the optimal depth should be from 160-190 mm.

Important! Pay particular attention to the following nuances:

• Choosing a too deep bowl - you will constantly bend down to reach the bottom.This, in turn, will be affected by pain in the back.
• If your bowl is shallow, it will be difficult to wash tall dishes in it, and splashes of water will be on your clothes, countertop and wall.

But you also need to consider your culinary preferences. If you bake and often use large pans, then it is advisable to have a bowl in the sink with a depth of 200 mm or more.

Important! To prevent your back from suffering, raise the stand 30-40 mm.

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Kitchen sink shape

The shape of the product ensures its spaciousness and compliance with the chosen style.

Today there are a lot of various forms, and it is difficult to choose the right one.

We describe the most basic and frequently used options, which may be a sink for the kitchen:

1. Square - comfortable and roomy plumbing bowls are usually presented in such sizes 500 × 500 mm, 600 × 600 mm.
2. Rectangular is a great option for narrow countertops. The common sizes are 550 × 500 mm, 500 × 800 mm, 500 × 1000 mm, 500 × 1250 mm.

Important! Please note that this form is not very convenient to use. When washing dishes there will be a lot of spray, which will often dirty the countertop and apron of the kitchen.

3. Round - very comfortable and roomy kitchen sinks. But if you want to buy a multi-section model of this form, then you will need to make a lot of effort to search.
4. Corner and trapezoidal - suitable for large corner kitchens, as well as for small ones. They fit beautifully into the interior.

By type of installation, there are sinks:

1. Mortise - can be installed both above the tabletop and under it, or on the same level. This type of installation is very popular today. The advantage of this method is ease of installation, hygiene and ease of use.

Important! The mortise sink will look harmonious when other elements of the kitchen set are installed in the same way.

2. Overhead - set by applying to the pedestal. This method is suitable for low-cost headsets consisting of separate cabinets and cabinets.

Important! The main disadvantage is that water enters the gap between the sink and the cabinet.

3. Integrated - set flush with the countertop, the most important difference of this type is the exact docking with the countertop. The name itself is “integrated” - combined into a single whole.

Important! To install this type of sink you will need the services of a wizard.

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What material to choose?

The following factors influence the choice of material for the kitchen sink:

• budget amount;
• interior style;
• personal wishes.

Important! The choice of material for a kitchen sink depends on the style and design of the kitchen:

• for the Country style, a sink made of metal, artificial stone, ceramic, antique stylized is suitable;
• in the classical style, ceramics and artificial stone will look good;
• High-tech and Minimalism style kitchens are sinks made of stainless steel and granite.

Consider the basic materials from which manufacturers make kitchen sinks

Stainless steel

The most common option.

Important! When buying, you need to pay attention to the composition of the alloy of which the mold is made. It is necessary that chromium be 18% and nickel 10%. This ratio provides reliability and durability during operation.

Pros of stainless steel:

• affordable price;
• simplicity in leaving;
• light weight;
• variety of forms;
• safety for humans.

Cons of steel sinks:

• big noise when washing dishes - this problem can be solved with the help of a rubber gasket, which can be installed under the sink.

Important! To determine the quality of steel, hold the magnet to the product - it should slide. If it sticks - do not buy, the sink will rust very quickly.

Fake diamond

The artificial stone used in the manufacture of kitchen sinks is a composite material consisting of:

• natural filler (up to 80%);
• polymer binder (up to 20%);
• a small percentage of the coloring matter.

Important! These products are made by casting. The technology allows you to run models of various shapes without seams.

Advantages of artificial stone products:

• durability;
• high strength;
• hygienic safety;
• the ability to choose any color;
• easily repair a damaged surface;
• withstand high temperatures;
• easily absorb the sound of pouring water.

Minuses:

• high price, which in principle is fully justified by the characteristics and appearance of such a sink.

Ceramics

Ceramic sinks are made from porcelain and faience. Porcelain is an expensive material. Its structure is denser and less porous.

Advantages of ceramic sinks:

• resistance to aggressive environments;
• withstand high temperatures;
• resistant to mechanical damage;
• may have an original finish.

Minuses:

• high weight of the product;
• structural rigidity, greatly complicates the installation;
• sensitive to heavy shock;
• in case of violation of integrity is not subject to repair.

Granite

Granite sinks are made from granite chips, polymer binder and coloring matter.

Important! Such sinks are very practical, will last for many years.

The advantages of granite washing:

• perfectly absorbs noise;
• does not absorb odors, does not lose its color;
• no plaque forms on the walls;
• resistance to severe mechanical and chemical damage;
• large selection of colors.

Cons of granite sinks:

• high price.

Important! When choosing a granite model, you need to carefully check the quality certificates. It is better to give preference to a reliable manufacturer, since if the raw materials are not of the very good quality, they can give an unsafe radioactive background.

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Which sinks are better for the kitchen? - Tips for choosing

Our tips will help you in choosing not only kitchen sinks, but also other accessories.

Tip 1

Buy a sink in specialized stores. So you get guaranteed quality products from well-known manufacturers who do not save on production and raw materials.

Tip 2

Install a cabinet or cabinet first, and then select a sink for the given dimensions.

Tip 3

If your kitchen has a place for a roomy roomy sink, then purchase a faucet that is equipped with a retractable “shower”.

Tip 4

For corner and sectional sinks, choose a high-quality faucet that can withstand the extra load on turns.

Tip 5

For trapezoidal pedestals with an angle of 45 degrees, choose sinks of the same shapes.

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Stock footage

Now you know what a sink for a kitchen can be and how to choose it correctly. We hope you have successfully completed the task and now your kitchen is comfortable, functional, beautiful, and you are pleased to cook on it.