Upgrading Your Kitchen Sink

Not every home improvement project has to involve a major renovation. Even something as simple as replacing your kitchen sink can have an impact on the overall look of your kitchen. In recent years, the kitchen sink was simply for utility. It had no decorative characteristics whatsoever. Things have definitely changed in the past couple of years, with manufacturers adding a wide variety of detail/design to go along with the needed functionality. There are now numerous mounting options, shapes, designs, and colors to choose from. Let's take a look at the different elements you have to choose from:

Stainless Steel

This is what is most frequently found in the average kitchen. Not only is it very easy to clean, but it is also strong and durable. Keep in mind that not all stainless steel sinks are the same quality. Some are higher quality than others, and in most cases, you get what you pay for. The lower quality sinks have the shapes stamped into them, instead of being welded together. This type typically has a higher chance of deforming over time because it can thin out.

Ceramic

Ceramic sinks are made by baking fireclay or porcelain at very high degrees. They are extremely durable. However, if you drop a dish in a ceramic sink, it will more than likely break the dish. In previous years, ceramic was not as popular and thus there were not many modern styles available. It was commonly found in a country themed kitchen or a kitchen that was not updated with modern appliances. But the world of ceramic has come a long way, and you can now purchase ceramic sinks that look as sophisticated as stainless steel.

Quartz

Quartz is thought to be as tough as granite and is great if you want your sink to blend in with your countertops. It is actually a mixture of crushed quartz and granite, as well as a mixture of polymer that waterproofs the material. Many prefer quartz because it is not only tough but it resists scratches, dents, and is easy to clean. However, it is more costly than stainless steel or ceramic.

Mounting Choices

There are a variety of different mounting options, depending on your tastes. A top mounted sink is the most traditional and it is when the lip or the outer edges of the sink are visible on the countertop. With solid surfaces being the most popular countertop surface right now, many homeowners are opting for undermounted sinks which allows the countertop to take center stage and hides the edges of the sink. There are also “apron” sinks which is when you can see the front of the sink instead of the countertop. If you wash your dishes by hand you might also want to consider a sink with a built in drain board. It is great for saving countertop space. Lastly, if you do quite a bit of cooking, you might want to consider a commercial free standing sink. It has a larger basin for washing and is very industrial. There are usually two large bows and then a smaller one in the middle. There are also some of the residential sinks that are coming out with this style as well. I have been remodeling house for 15 years, and I have the secret to getting high qualitymaple cabinets at an affordable price. Interested in finding out my secret? Follow these links to find out the secret to getting maple kitchen cabinets at 30-40% below retail prices