What Types of Kitchen Sinks
1. Classified by Material:
Kitchen sinks can be classified into cast iron enamel, ceramic, stainless steel (currently the mainstream product in the market), artificial stone, granite sinks (quartz stone mixed resin), steel plate enamel, acrylic, crystalline stone sinks, etc. according to material classification.
Each material has its own characteristics, and the steel plate enamel sink is beautiful; Ceramic sink is durable and wear-resistant; Granite sink is made of a mixture of quartz stone and natural resin, which is sturdy and compact. The lightweight and tough combination of resin meets the durability requirements. Multiple colors can be customized and selected, and it is integrated without seams, making it easy to match; The overall color sense of the acrylic sink is good, and the colors are diverse and rich; Crystal stone water tanks are prone to scratches from hard objects, and their smoothness may also decrease due to surface damage; Stainless steel sinks have advantages such as easy cleaning, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, moisture resistance, and lightweight and tough panels. They are highly practical and modern, making them popular among modern families; Cast iron enamel sink is more durable and generally relatively expensive.
2. Classified by Style:
Kitchen sinks can be classified by style into single, double, triple, and mother and child sinks.
A single tank combines the functions of multiple tanks, with a wide range of sizes to choose from. It can generally meet the cleaning needs of kitchens of various sizes and is the best choice for small square meter kitchens; Compared to a single groove, double groove, triple groove, and sub mother groove have a larger placement space and are generally suitable for use in kitchen spaces of medium or above, with more comprehensive functions. There is no mandatory requirement for what type of sink must be installed in a large kitchen, so you can choose according to personal habits, needs, and specific space conditions.
About Installation Methods
The most common types of decoration currently include Drop In Installation、Semi Embedded Installation and Undermount Installation three types.
Drop In Installation is the simplest type, which only requires drilling a large hole on the countertop to ensure that the hole is larger than the inner tank of the sink and smaller than the overall outer edge of the sink. During installation, simply place the opening on the countertop and fix it with glass glue.
The advantage is that it is easy to install, easy to remove and replace, and the load-bearing capacity of the basin on the platform is relatively better than that of the basin under the platform.
Semi Embedded Installation can also be called flush installation, which means that after installation, the outer edge of the sink is flush with the countertop and will not protrude from it. The installation process is relatively complex.
Undermount Installation is also a very common installation method. The disadvantage of under the table basin is that it is difficult to install. To install the sink under the cabinet countertop, it is necessary to first open a hole on the countertop that is consistent with the inner edge of the sink, and use adhesive to bond the gap. But the sink installed in this way is particularly easy to manage. After installation, the basin surface is lower than the countertop, and water on the countertop can easily flow into or wipe into the basin, making it very convenient to clean the countertop.
And there is also an American apron front installation
Purchasing Suggestions
The specific choice for individuals still depends on the area of the kitchen countertop. Before considering single or double slots, it is important to measure the size of the countertop, as it is the countertop size that ultimately determines whether you will install a single or double slot,
Compact countertop, countertop size ≤ 1.2m, it is recommended to choose a style with small single slot and basin in basin function (recommended size ≤ 65cm)
The countertop is spacious, and the cabinet countertop is ≥ 1.2m. You can choose to use both large and small slots, which are more practical for daily use. Alternatively, a multi-functional large single slot can also be used, depending on personal needs and preferences.
Regarding Dimensions and Details
After determining the material specifications, we also need to choose the specific size of the sink, which is usually divided into two points: the depth of the sink and the thickness of the sink. When selecting specifications, the length and width of the countertop are basically determined. The maximum size for the countertop to fit the sink is measured by reducing the length by 50-60cm and the width by 6cm.
Sink Depth
It is usually recommended that the depth of the sink exceed 20cm to meet the soaking and cleaning needs of kitchen utensils or ingredients, while also effectively avoiding splashing. Of course, it's not necessarily better to be too deep. Cleaning items too deep requires bending over for a long time, which can be very damaging to the waist. The general recommendation is to meet the height requirements of most people within the range of 20-23cm.
Sink Thickness
The material of the stainless steel sink is relatively light, so even if it is made a little thicker, it will not be very heavy. Generally, a thickness of 0.8-1.3mm is recommended, and I personally recommend a thickness of 1mm or more, which is more solid and durable. It will not deform or leak due to time and accumulated use.
Right Angles and Rounded Corners
A right angle sink and a rounded sink are actually similar, but a right angle sink is prone to dead corners when cleaned; Rounded sink, also known as R-shaped sink, is relatively easy to clean and does not easily accumulate dirt and grime.
Condensing Silent Coating
Due to the inherent material characteristics of stainless steel, condensation droplets are more likely to occur in the interior of the cabinet at the bottom of the sink, and long-term use can easily lead to mold inside the cabinet. And this coating can to some extent avoid the occurrence of condensation, so that the interior of the cabinet can maintain a dry environment and avoid the occurrence of mold.
Usually, this type of coating is directly applied to a gasket and installed directly at the bottom of the back of the sink. The gasket has been designed with noise reduction and cushioning, which can effectively suppress the noise caused by water flow or other objects hitting the sink when using it. A better stainless steel style may even add a condensation silent coating on all the backs of the sink, not just the bottom.
