Sinks may not be at the top of your priority list until you need one somewhere in your home. When that time comes, this article can give you some food for thought that might "sink" in when you're choosing the best option for your home.
Double Basin (left)
Double basin sinks, like this undermount one on the left that we installed, have been the standard in kitchens for years. They make it easy to clean your dishes by hand, cleaning in one basin and rinsing in the other. They are also used to keep dirty dishes in one basin and use the other for meal prep or simply just to have one clean side of the sink. Having two basins may make it difficult to wash larger items like pots and large pans. Double basin sinks typically take up more counter space than other kinds of sinks.
Single Basin (right)
Single basin sinks have gained popularity in kitchens now that dishwashers are standard home appliances. They make it easier to hand wash larger items like soup pots and cookie sheets. People find them to be more aesthetically pleasing than double basin sinks. As with every sink, single basin sink sizes vary but typically they take up less counter space than double basin sinks.
Under Mount (left)
Undermount sinks are mounted to the countertop from underneath. They can be mounted seamlessly, called flush mount, shown on another sink we installed on the left. They can be mounted with a negative reveal, meaning the edge of the countertop overlaps the sink. Or they can be mounted with a positive reveal, where the countertop is recessed from the edge of the sink. They tend to make cleaning the counter and sink easier, although the positive/negative reveal could hide bacteria in the overlap.
Top Mount (right)
Top mount sinks are mounted on top of the counter. These are usually standard in households. Since they mount from the top, there's extra support so you can use any material and most likely won't need extra support within the cabinet. They do tend to be harder to clean because food/crumbs can get stuck in the lip between the sink and the countertop and between the backsplash and the sink.
Farmhouse (left)
Farmhouse sinks are very popular in recent years for modern kitchens. They are widely loved for their deep and wide basins, typically single basins. Farmhouse sinks apron front makes them stand out from other kitchen sinks. If you want to read more about farmhouse sinks, you can scroll down about two blog posts below this one and read about different materials used to make farmhouse sinks.
Bar (right)
Bar sinks are much smaller, as seen to the right from The Home Depot by Rene, than a regular kitchen sink. They are typically put off to the side in a bar/drink area of your kitchen. They are not meant to replace a regular kitchen sink. These can come in handy for meal prep if somebody else is using the main sink or if your main sink is full of dishes etc. These sinks aren't necessary in kitchens but if you have extra space and think it may be useful it could be a good addition.
Corner (left)
Corner sinks are the best for smaller kitchens because they utilize corner space that may have otherwise not been used. They typically come with two basins, one on each side and the faucet in the middle. Corner sinks aren't something you see in a lot of kitchens so it could give your kitchen a unique look. This placement can make it more difficult to install and you'd have to consider how you'll be placing the upper cabinets. With the sink being in the corner, only one person can use the sink at a time so you won't be able to have help if you needed it.
Vessel (right)
Vessel sinks are typically used as the focal point in modern bathrooms. They can rest on top of the counter or they can be recessed. Recessed vessel sinks usually rest about half way out of the counter. Since they rest on the counter, this makes them taller so they best work in a cabinet that is, at its tallest, 31 inches. They provide more counter space than other sinks but tend to be hard to clean because of the way they rest on the counter. Vessel sinks are a trend so many people believe that in a few years they won't be as popular as they are now.
Integrated (left)
An integrated sink is when the counter top and the sink are one piece usually made of the same material. This gives them a seamless design that has gained recent popularity. Integrated sinks are known for being very easy to clean because there are no lips or overlapping that could hide bacteria. One issue with integrated sinks is that if one part gets damaged, you have to replace the whole thing rather than just the sink or just the countertop.
Laundry (right)
Laundry sinks are perfect for washing your dog, tie-dying your clothes, or even just hand-washing your delicates. They are also great for washing dirty items like muddy shoes that you don't want to put in your washer/kitchen sink. Laundry sinks are usually one large basin, similar to farmhouse sinks. These sinks can be put in a cabinet, like the Transolid cabinet shown on the right from Lowes, or they can be freestanding. There are smaller ones like the one on the right or bigger versions called utility sinks.
If you're looking to "sink" your home with the top trends in home remodeling for 2021 or start building the home of your dreams, give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833.
Sources:
https://kitchencabinetkings.com/ideas/types-of-kitchen-sinks
https://m.homethangs.com/blog/2018/03/low-profile-undermount-sinks-vessel-sinks/
https://www.thespruce.com/buying-a-vessel-sink-read-this-327026
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