Kitchen Appliance Comparisons: Sink Types

The kitchen sink is an underappreciated appliance in many kitchens. It works day and night with little praise or appreciation - cleaning dishes, washing hands, rinsing food. The humble sink does it all without much expectation. When dreaming up your dream kitchen, a functional sink should be high on your list of wants. If you aren’t familiar with all the different components of a kitchen sinks, check out our handy guide to learn more.

Common Materials

A majority of sinks are built from the same basic materials. Although there are interesting and different options out there, your main choices are the following.

• Stainless Steel: One of the most popular choices in both residential and commercial kitchens around the world, stainless steel has many benefits. It is relatively inexpensive, even the more high-end options, and it is extremely durable. These kitchen sinks are made to withstand years of tough usage and are unlikely to be damaged by everyday chefs. Stainless steel is easy to maintain, but it might not match your design style due to its stark colour.

• Porcelain: A vintage choice that still holds up today, porcelain is great for the historic look or to add some charm to your kitchen. It is beautiful but is easy to chip and damage if you are not careful. The surface can stain easily as well and is heavy to install. The material is heat resistant and a great choice if you are able to maintain it well.

• Composite Granite: Engineered for durability and longevity, composite granite kitchen sinks are a solid alternative to the more common options. They are built from granite/stone materials and resin, so they are heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and uniform in colour. They are also more hygienic than regular granite since it is non-porous. Although more expensive than the others, it might be worth it for the benefits.

Types of Installation

Once you have the material in mind, you need to decide how you want the sink installed in your kitchen. There are a few different ways that it can be placed, and each way has its pros and cons.

• Top-mount: These sinks drop into a hole in the benchtop and sit slightly raised from the surface. This installation type is the easiest option and perfect for those who prefer to do things themselves. Top-mount is commonly used for laminate benchtops and is generally the cheapest option and most widely available. Because the sink rim is raised, it can be more difficult to clean.

• Under-mount:  As the name suggests, this sink is mounted underneath the cabinets. While this gives the sink a more streamlined look, it can require additional support underneath the benchtop. The major benefit of this type is the ability to sweep debris directly into the sink, but the higher cost might be a deterrent for some.

• Flush-mount: These kitchen sinks are made of the same material as the rest of the benchtops and look completely integrated into the space. They have the same benefits as the under-mount option but appear more unified. These sinks are much more costly since they have to be custom-ordered at the same time as the benchtops and are a pain to fix if ever damaged.

• Farmhouse: Also called apron sinks, this trendy style has a large exposed front that makes it a statement piece in any kitchen. This type of sink was popular back in the day and has recently made a resurgence. They hold massive amounts of water due to their deep basins, but they also require custom cabinets and some extra cash.

For a selection of budget-friendly sinks in Perth, plus custom flat pack cabinetry and kitchen accessories, eKitchens is the place to go. We are a local WA company that provides custom kitchens for all types of renovations. Contact our team to get started!