Ideas For Your Kitchen Sink
Over the last few years a lot many changes have been incorporated in the designs and styles of kitchen sinks. Kitchen sinks along with befitting kitchen faucet can change the looks of the place completely, and updates the room. You get kitchen sinks in varying designs and styles, and materials to fit the style and requirements of your kitchen.
It’s not a problem to get the right kitchen sink. Here is a brief description of the kind of sinks that you get in the market enabling you to assess your requirements for buying an appropriate item that fulfills your requirements and looks stylish.
How many bowls does your kitchen sink require?
You may opt to have a kitchen sink with two bowls, both of the same size or you may choose to have another model that comes with two or even three bowls of different sizes, using the bigger ones for pots and pans. In case you are short of space, one bowl model will be most suited for your requirements. You’ll also need to decide the type of faucet to be had as the number of holes on the faucet should match with number of holes on the sink.
Single Bowl Kitchen Sinks
A single bowl kitchen sink is ideally suited for householders who prefer having a dishwasher to hand washing. Look for a deeper bowl that is helpful for rinsing bigger pots and pans.
Double Bowl Kitchen Sinks
Double bowl kitchen sinks are best if you like to wash dishes by hand. One bowl is used for washing while the other can be used for rinsing.
Triple Bowl Kitchen Sinks
You also get models of multi bowls that have one bowl in size smaller than the other two and can conveniently be used for cleaning scraps of food items straightaway into the garbage bin or just for keeping them isolated till final cleaning.
What type of sink works with your countertop?
Apron-front kitchen sinks, also known as farmhouse sinks, remind you of a kitchen in period style and come with trendy panels on the front. This is only one of its kind installations and it will do you good if you have the sink readily available while you undertake the construction of cabinet.
Originally bar sinks were meant to cleanse and organize vegetables and fruits but over a period of time these are being used for other purposes too. You may see such a sink being used in the kitchen island, or as a bar sink in the bedroom, and even as an entertainment sink in the family room.
Apron-front Kitchen Sinks
Apron-front sinks, or farmhouse sinks, bring to mind kitchen of period style and come with a trendy panel on their front.
Bar Sinks
Bar sinks are just the right sizes for kitchen islands or entertainment areas.
What kitchen sink materials are available?
Stainless steel is the most favored material for sinks, as it wouldn’t get chipped or nicked , cracked or rusted, and doesn’t fade or develops any stains. Stainless steel makes a very sanitary surface and is available in varying finishes like satin, mirrored or brushed. Moreover, stainless steel sheets come in different thicknesses with varying metal content. The thickness is inversely proportionate to the gauge, meaning the higher the gauge, the less is the thickness. So, lower gauges are generally used for the purpose as they don’t get dented so easily and are also good suppressors of sound.
Enameled cast iron sinks are made from solid cast iron and provided with a layer of enamel that makes them very heavy. These are highly durable, quieter than most other sinks, and can resist any kind of structural damage and have excellent heat retention properties, but the only limitation is their installation due their very heavy weight.
Sinks with ceramic base are baked with fireclay and vitreous China to get a glossy finish. Often referred to as a French country style, the material is water and germ resistant, durable, and easy to clean and comes in nearly all the shades including sculpted and hand painted designs. To prevent them from getting damaged it’s desirable to use a rack or sink.
In the recent past, sinks with solid surface materials have gained popularity and are offered in a variety of colors to match the countertops. The material is not totally scratch-proof but the scratches can be buffed out easily. Some brands come with a warrantee of lifetime.
Copper sinks made from extra-thick copper are manually hammered down to get artistic looking sinks that bring class to your kitchen. The finish of copper sinks gains gloss over prolonged use. It’s healthier to use copper as it has anti-bacterial characteristics.
Enjoying The Freedom With Outdoor Kitchen Sinks
Families and businesses alike that indulge in outdoor events can make good use of outdoor kitchen sinks. That has prompted many manufacturers of home and garden equipment to invest a good amount of time and finance to research and design well functioning outdoor kitchen sinks.
Outdoor kitchen sinks add to the convenience of arranging sports events, gatherings and parties, or just a small assembly of close friends and family. The other places where these could gainfully be exploited include public parks, outdoor or portable food service providers like hot-dog stand, and without doubt home decks. At home, the family can have an enjoyable time hosting a party of friends without the bother of making frequent trips to the kitchen to wash and clean food utensils and thus spend more time in the company of invitees. Likewise, an outdoor sink comes handy for picnics and barbecues in open public places like parks. Individual food sellers of hot dogs and burgers etc are already patronizing small sinks along with their kiosks to offer better levels of service to clients.
Some of the renowned companies dealing with outdoor kitchen sinks are Kohler, Blanco, Linkasink and Elkway. Their designs and styles include the usual porcelain and stainless steel materials to the latest designs using copper and granite. The price of these products varies widely, based on application. However, the general range falls between $200 and $5000.
So, how does one go ahead when considering having an outdoor kitchen sink? You may start with the Internet or check listings in local papers and go thru the reviews on companies providing the sink. Some of the recommended sites would be the Bloggers and E-how to get consumers reviews on different brands, and you are most likely to find reviews of the brand you may have in mind. You may also check with local stores like Home Depot to get a feel of the product.
Collect information and check on models offered by different manufacturers to compare designs and styles to get one that best answers your requirements. There are some manufacturers who can design sinks to your design and specifications so that it complements your outdoors theme. And, of course, you’ll need to compare prices too. Amazon.com is a good site for that purpose. If the item of your choice is slightly higher than your budget, you my like to wait for a while till the company announces sales of its products at discounted prices. You also get the option of financing from some companies.
Acrylic Kitchen Sinks – A Modern Style For Those Who Want It
An increasing number of present households are opting for acrylic kitchen sinks for the convenience of maintaining them. Before ordering one such sink for your kitchen it will be good to know more about the product. There are quite a few advantages of installing these sinks in comparison to the traditional variety made of copper, fiberglass and stainless steel. Here are those benefits:
Easy to maintain – It’s very easy to ensure their cleanliness, an important feature for any accessory installed in the kitchen. The other kinds of sinks that you would have used all these years often make it difficult to get rid of the stains. Acrylic or polyester being a synthetic material characteristically prevents formation of stains on its surface. Moreover, the sink is made from a single sheet of plastic, as a result of which there are no cracks or seams and corners that could accumulate dirt. That further saves the strain of strenuous scrubbing of stains. You simply clean the sink using non-abrasive cleaners.
Flexibility in design – The other advantage of acrylic is that being a plastic it can be molded to get any shape or form. That means you opt to have any design, color or texture that complements the décor of your kitchen and home on the whole. It will not look awkward standing out in your kitchen.
Easy to install – You may prefer to hire a professional for installing the kitchen sink or may even do it yourself. These acrylic sinks are very light in weight and can be installed as a drop-in during installation or as an under-mount. You may even fit one into the available holes that were made for installing the preceding kitchen sink, enabling you to save time and effort of making holes once again.
Long lasting and quiet – These acrylic sinks are capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 365° F. These sinks remain free of rust and chips unlike other sinks made of metal. And, another helpful feature that you are sure to appreciate of this material is its sound-absorbing capacity. Meaning that when you are doing the dishes, the rest of the household is not disturbed by the noise created, which surely is not pleasant.
The availability of acrylic kitchen sinks in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors makes it so convenient to choose one when remodeling your home. All these positive features of acrylic sinks will prompt any householder to replace old kitchen sink with an acrylic one.
Are You Looking Into Composite Kitchen Sinks?
Somehow, homeowners tend to overlook sinks in their home decoration plans and allocate very limited budget for the purchase of this important accessory. As a result, most often they settle for a stainless sink. Usually, the next option is for porcelain sinks that have better looks and are durable. Such an approach prevents them from exploring the wide variety of materials used for making sinks these days. Other than stainless and porcelain, composite kitchen sinks comprising of cast iron with enamel coat, ceramic, copper, and stone are some other different and attractive options.
Composite kitchen sinks are made using two or more different materials. The amalgamation of two materials delivers highly durable, strong and stain proof material in many eye-catching colors. Here are some of the most often used composite materials.
1. Combination of Acrylic- polyester/fiberglass yields most affordable, attractive glossy sinks. However, they may not be suitable for regular use in the kitchen for such frequent use will spoil the gloss.
2. Combination of Quartz-resin is excellent for having more durable sinks in attractive shapes and sizes.
3. As far as durability, looks and finish goes, granite is the best composite material. Added feature of this material is that it will go with any style of kitchen. It’s stain proof and can withstand very high temperatures too. Some of the most expensive kitchen models are made from this material.
Composite kitchen sinks demand proper handling and cleaning. You should be using a mild cleaner, do not bang utensils while washing, and regularly clean garbage and detergents from the sink irrespective of the material. Even the toughest composite material tends to develop scratches and loses its shine if handled roughly. Particular attention is needed for forks and knives lest they should leave scars.
Composite kitchen sinks are available in both, top-mount and under-mount designs. One bowl composite sinks seem to be more popular than two-bowl models. Under mount models, which are not visible after installation are a bit more difficult to install than top mount models.
Blanco SILGRANITE is new groundbreaking composite material and Blanco offers many models in this material. BlancoDiamond model no: 511-652 is a trendy single-bowl model, which you get in an assortment of colors.
Astracast, Kindred, Swanstone, Sterling, MOEN and Zinzer etc offer some of the very popular composite kitchen sinks. Latest technological developments contribute to innovating extra durable composite sink materials.
Blanco Kitchen Sinks For Your Modern Kitchen
Blanco, the company producing the best of sinks in the world, is considered leader of the plumbing industry. The sinks are designed for different types of kitchens like those in the homes, hotels and hospitals etc. Corresponding faucets and other accessories are also available and the choice of finishes includes brushed bronze, brazen bronze, polished chrome, stainless steel, and polished or brushed nickel.
The manufacturer offers more than 100 models. Stores like HomeClick stock a large variety that includes BlancoPrecision, BlancoMagnum, and Sligranit and others. One also gets single, double or triple bowl sinks in drop-in or under-mount design. For gourmet chefs, the BlancoMagnum series is ideally suited whereas the BlancoSpex is perfectly designed for homeowners looking for good stylish stuff at affordable prices.
Diamond Anthracite makes a good choice if you are looking for a granite sink. It has a flat deck, making it suitable for drop-in or under-mount installation. Made from 80% granite and mixed with acrylic resin it is stain resistant and can resist heat to temperatures of up to 535 degrees F, making it long lasting. It’s convenient to clean and offers easy installation.
Those looking for a double bowl sink in granite would find the Performa Anthracite a good choice. It has the looks and feel of natural stone with a bold design. Color pigments are used all over the sink to get consistency. It’s highly resistant to chipping, molding and discoloration, thus making it long lasting. It’s easy to clean and maintain and thus a preferred investment for many homeowners.
Blanco kitchen sinks come with impressive designs that offer functionality. The available large variety makes the selection convenient. Whatever be the design of kitchen, you can get a perfect sink from Blanco. Having their granite sink surely adds to the value of your home or business.
Whether you requirement is for a single, double, or triple bowl, you can choose from the best Blanco kitchen sinks. You get very attractive deals if you shop for these sinks online, especially in case of HomeClick at discounted offers. These are available over a wide range of prices from low to medium and high, allowing you to look for one that suits your budget.
Repair Your Sink In 5 Steps!
Simple repairs of kitchen sinks don’t really need the services of experts. Though there are flaws developed that necessitate the services of a plumber, the trick is to know what kind of flaws should entail such services from professional plumber. There are a few easy ways to determine that. Here are five tips helping you to take care of kitchen sink and fix the flaws thereof.
1. Know Your Parts
You’ll agree that knowing the names and functioning of different parts is essentially needed for making a proper diagnosis of flaws. It goes a long way to identify and hence repair the faults.
2. Examine the Leak
The kind of repair needed is decided by the type of leaks, of which there are different kinds. The leak that appears around the base of the spout is quite different than a dripping spout. In most cases the leaks appearing at the base of the spout is caused by worn out O-rings. Such leaks are easily taken care of by pulling and twisting the spout free. Some of the other parts, usually the handle may also be removed. At times it may be difficult to approach the O-ring, being tightly placed. Nevertheless, a bit of extra elbow grease does the trick.
3. Turn the Water Supply Off
Identify the two valves below the sink that control flow of water supply. If you are unable to locate these valves, you can simply turn off the main supply. Taking this step helps avoiding the hassle of using a wet vacuum after you completed the job.
4. Repair the Leak in a Timely Fashion
In most cases, the floorboard below the sink is made of wood. If the leak is left unattended for long, it may warp the wooden floor. Apart from that there is always a chance of mold getting built up there and the whole of the kitchen could start smelling foul. That makes it imperative not to allow leaks to continue for long and measures should be taken to stop such leaks quickly and efficiently.
5. Know When You’re in Over Your Head
Though most of the simple repairs can easily be managed by the homeowner, there are certain which need the services of a professional plumber. If you are unable to identify the problem or not too sure of taking care of that or if the leak continues to persist despite repeated repairs, it’s time to ask for the help of an experienced plumber. Timely services of an expert save a lot of botheration and prove economical in the long run.
Hopefully, you now understand the basics of efficiently approaching and solving any simple plumbing job. It’s important to be careful and attentive…. And above all, enjoy!
Here Comes Normandy Double Bowl Sink
A traditional French farmhouse ceramic sink comes to us in the form of The Normandy double bowl sink, the second most popular of all sinks. One reason that continues to keep it popular is its size, that’s the largest available double sink with double bowl.
There are quite many double bowl sinks available in the market, but what sets apart the Normandy is its two equal sized bowls designed to conveniently accommodate large oven trays, especially of the kind that one finds in Aga. Truly speaking it’s the only double bowl that is designed to fully immerse an Aga tray in water. It’s quite frustrating to have a good looking farmhouse sink that is not able to accommodate large pots, pans and trays conveniently. There is none denying the convenience of having a large sink for washing of oversized items. The design of the Normandy French farmhouse sink takes care of this convenience and is considered its most practical feature by Aga owners and others using large oven trays or unusually large cooking pots and pans.
The Normandy Double Bowl Sink derives its exceptional durability as it’s made from fireclay ceramic, and not from the normally used and accepted ball clay. Use of fireclay certainly makes the sink extremely hard wearing provided the user looks after it with a bit of care and attention.
The design of this traditional French farmhouse sink is widely accepted these days. The main reason for that is because it fits in well with any kitchen scheme. It looks great with both traditional natural wood kitchens as well the most modern kitchens, as the smooth ceramic lines of the sink complement the sleek looks of kitchen units. The Normandy Double Bowl Sink, apart from being found appropriate for different kitchen designs, comes with a highly practical design that facilitates washing of pots and pans of varying sizes. Moreover, its design is ideal for washing of vegetables and even allows defrosting of bulky pieces of meat. Because of its large size you can easily defrost a large leg of lamb therein.
French farmhouse sinks appeared on scene soon after the ceramic Belfast and Butler sinks were manufactured towards the end of the 19th century. In the north of France, two brothers named Emile and Andre Porcher established a factory and used the local clay for producing ceramic sinks. The local clay proved to be far superior to the rough red Staffordshire clay that was popularly used by most other potteries, and thus enabled the French manufacturer to offer a very refined product. You should find it interesting to know that some of the designs being produced even today were first introduced towards the end of the nineteenth century when the manufacturers first set up their manufacturing unit. That surely goes to prove that good designs don’t go out of fashion. The name Porcher, still continues to date at its factory in the Loire area, and enjoys the reputation of being the oldest and a highly respected brand of fireclay sink manufacturers.
The Normandy Double Bowl Sinks come embossed with the logo of the manufacturer on the side wall of the sink to give it a truly vintage look. The French farmhouse sink is designed to contain 60mm basket strainer wastes with a non-tarnish brass or satin chrome finish. Or you could opt to have a plug and chain, but in such an eventuality the chain stay will have to be drilled into the work surface.
Though fireclay sinks are easily maintained, following a few simple guidelines helps making them look good even after many years of use. Regular cleaning of sinks using a non-abrasive cleaner like a washing up liquid prevents formation of stains of coffee or wines. Tougher stains of the kind caused by using aluminum saucepans are best removed by using special cleaning product, with the manufacturers recommending Astonish that comes with especial formulation for fireclay ceramic sinks. Don’t use a plastic washing up bowl in the sink as it leads to accumulation of dust and dirt at the base, which ultimately causes scratches to appear on the surface of the ceramic sink.
Houzer Kitchen Sinks Review
Quality and durability are the main features of Houzer products. The designs offered by this company indicate the producer’s awareness of the fundamental role that a kitchen plays in any modern household. The styles and designs offered go to complement the other accessories that most kitchens have these days. Houzer kitchen sinks review remarks the manufacturers’ attention to detail and notes the fact that the company has been producing first class kitchen sinks for the last many decades.
Houzer sinks are available in a large variety and you would certainly be able to find one that meets with your requirements and fits the design of your kitchen. The urbane homeowner will find the Medallion series of kitchen sinks a lovely addition in the modern kitchen. Made from 18 gauge stainless steel these sinks are given a satin finish and with a permanent polished appearance. The sinks are nine inches deep and to demonstrate its commitment to quality, the manufacturer offers limited lifetime warranty. The three models comprising this series are the Medallion Classic, Medallion Designer and Medallion Gourmet.
Houzer also has another series, the Eston series. Made from T-304 stainless steel, these sinks come with depth of nine inches in different designs of varying sizes. There are single D-shaped sinks and there are also 50/50, 60/40 and 70/30 double sinks. Eston series of kitchen sinks from Houzer are offered with a warranty of ten years.
The Nouvelle series kitchen sinks are offered with a lifetime warranty and have the appearance that to please the most discerning homeowner. The design of these sinks is an amalgamation of the design of the Medallion series sinks (above) and the Contempo Series sinks (below). These sinks are designed to contain a highlighted satin rim with a depth of nine inches and you may choose a single or double bowl model.
The best thing about the Contempo series of sinks from Houzer is the simplicity of their design. Were you aware that the full name of these sinks is Contempo Zero Radius that gives them the shape of troughs? You get these sinks with brushed satin finish in many sizes. Contempo sinks come with much inherited trendy looks that add an element of style to any kitchen they are installed in.
Houzer has a very long list of kitchen sinks comprising of the Glowtone series, the Epicure series, the Novus series, the Legend series, the Hospitality series and the Club Bar/Prep series among others. In simple words it means that irrespective of the present design and looks of your kitchen or even the looks you might like it to have, you are sure to get a Houzer sink that is befitting for you.
Learn About Classic Workstation Sinks
The Classic Workstation Sink tops the list of ceramic sinks. Look at what it has to offer: two large double bowls, one small rinsing bowl and a built-in drainage area. The manufacturer Villeroy & Boch uses best of raw materials for making these sinks. The most notable feature of the sink is the versatility it presents.
You may have this Classic ceramic Workstation sink built into kitchen units for a smooth look, or place it on top of a freestanding hardwood sink stand and even have it mounted on the wall. Its design and size allows you to use for variety of jobs in the kitchen. You may scrub the dishes used for roasting, rinse vegetables and defrost edibles of any volume and size.
The Classic Workstation sink is planned to be fitted with a special 3-way waste kit that you can have in non-tarnish brass or Satin chrome finishes. The sink may be drilled to house a mono-bloc mixer that could be in a traditional style to get a more classic look, or a pared-down present-day mixer for an avant-garde look. It has a draining bowl for the small rinsing bowl, and the sink gets attached to a waste disposal system, contributing to its versatility.
Like other sinks offered by Villeroy & Boch, the Classic Workstation Sink too is made from the best quality vitreous porcelain in stylish modern-day design. This product from an old and established company is reliable and expected to deliver high level of satisfactory performance. As porcelain is fired at 1200°C, meaning it becomes heat resistant, and can bear normal knocks and bumps and offers resistance to scratches that may be caused by sharp implements. It is noteworthy that Villeroy & Boch not only follows stringent quality control procedures but also adopts environmentally responsible manufacturing processes, making this product the first choice of customers conscious of environments.
Quality fireclay sinks of the kind of Classic Workstation by Villeroy & Boch are expected to last a lifetime on being looked after with care and attention. The manufacturer recommends regular cleaning of sink with a non-abrasive cleaner like washing-up liquid to take care of normal dirt. For getting rid of tougher stains that tend to build up over time, like those thin grey lines that may appear as a consequence of regular washing of aluminum pans, the manufacturers recommend a specialist cleaning product like Astonish, especially prepared for fireclay ceramic sinks.
The Beauty Of Gamekeeper Single Bowl Sink
A typically ceramic sink, the single bowl from Gamekeeper, is ideally suited for kitchens with rustic designs. Its pie-crust ribbed front helps giving it the familiar farmhouse look and feel that makes it easily distinguishable from the rest. Despite its traditional history and design, it works just equally well with the present day styles and leaves its distinct stamp of originality.
The old fashioned design of apron front sink is worth buying for other applications also. For instance, it could very well be incorporated in a utility room, where it would prove to be a very helpful complementary sink, mainly due its generous size.
The single bowl fluted front Gamekeeper sink is offered by Harsa. The best quality of fireclay ceramic goes to make this sink an item of exceptional utility. As you know all ceramic sinks retain their looks for long, a few precautions and maintenance measures can go a long way in making it look at its best all the time. As far as possible such sinks should be cleaned regularly with a non-abrasive cleaner. Use of washing up liquids as cleaning agents ensures prevention of stains of coffee or wine from leaving a permanent mark over there. Yet, the ceramic sinks tend to develop stains that are difficult to remove, like you would have noticed thin grey lines that are formed as a result of washing aluminum pans therein. The manufacturer recommends using especially prepared cleaning agents like Astonish for getting rid of such difficult to remove stains without causing least harm to the glaze of the sink.
Another important precautionary measure that you can take to help maintaining the striking looks of fluted front sink of the kind of Gamekeeper is to avoid using a plastic washing up bowl with the intentions of protecting the ceramic. As a matter of fact use of such a bowl has an opposite effect. It not only proves a distraction for the eye-catching design of the sink but also helps accumulation of dust and dirt at its base, which in the long run causes scratches to appear on the surface of the sink.
Weighing 45 kg, the size of this sink with its distinguished antique looks, stands to measure W760 x H505 x D255mm. It comes with a 90mm waste that makes it appropriate for housing a waste disposable unit. You may have basket strainer waste in a finish to suit your requirements, being available in non-tarnish brass, English Bronze and Satin chrome finishes.