< Back to News

Choosing the Right Type of Kitchen Sink for Your Home

When choosing the right type of kitchen sink for your new home, the options may seem endless. Should you go for an inset sink or undermount? What types of kitchen sink materials should you use? We’ve pulled everything you need to know into a handy guide to how to choose a kitchen sink that fits your Cannock home perfectly.

What Types of Kitchen Sink Styles Are There?

Kitchen sinks come in many options and shapes. One of the first questions you may want to ask yourself when choosing the right type of kitchen sink is, do you want an insert sink or an undermount sink? 

Insert Sinks

Typically, insert sinks have a square shape and often come with a draining board which can be very useful for washing up. Also known as drop-in sinks, the sink is dropped into a hole in the countertop and the lip of the sink rests on the countertop.

Undermount Sinks

Undermount sinks on the other hand are installed from under the surface of the worktop so often need more support than insert kitchen sinks. They also do not work with laminate worktops. However, they also offer a deeper bowl giving you more room for pots and pans. Undermount kitchen sinks are installed beneath the countertop. Unlike drop-in sinks they don’t collect debris and grime above the counter seal. This type of sink works best with granite and solid surfacing because it’s important that the edge of the countertop be watertight. Our Cannock kitchen showroom offers both options with plenty of styles to choose from.

What is the Best Material for a Kitchen Sink?

The type of kitchen sink material you choose depends on a number of factors including the style of the rest of your kitchen. Here’s a quick run-through of the key properties of each type of kitchen sink material including stainless steel sinks, granite Christalite sinks and ceramic sinks.  

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel sinks are easy to keep clean, durable, and affordable, have been around for decades, never going out of fashion and have weathered the test of time. They simply last forever. Stainless steel has a few finishes to choose from: brushed finish, satin finish, polished or even a linen finish.   

Top Properties of Stainless Steel Sinks

• Heat Resistant: highly heat resistant, you can safely rest a hot pan straight from the hob onto your sink
• Hygienic: Non-porous surface, easy to keep clean
• Impact Resistant: Very forgiving material against impact, least likely material to damage your best china or glassware should you drop it

 

Granite Christalite Kitchen Sinks

Granite sinks are up to 80% natural quartz sand. Christalite has been specially developed for the demands of the kitchen, rigours of everyday use vanish with hardly a trace. Granite Christalite sinks come in a variety of colours, some specific to specific models: Nero, Onyx, Asphalt, Croma, Concrete, Moonstone, Alpina, Roca, Inca and Alpaca. Why not visit our Cannock showroom to take a look?  

Top Properties of Granite Christalite Sinks

• Dirt-repellent effect – bacteria finds it impossible to stick to the surface
• Easy to clean
• Odour-free
• Heat-proof – not temperature sensitive
• Food-safe
• Made to last
• Stain resistant
• Impact-resistant
• UV stable
• ProHygienic 21 – natural antibacterial protection system

 

Ceramic Kitchen Sinks

Ceramic sinks offer an apron front, where the sink is fitted directly into the cabinet, exposing the front fascia. This type of installation is only suitable for the solid worktops.   

Top Properties of Ceramic Sinks

• Heat Resistant: Up to 1200 degrees centigrade meaning those pots and pans can be safely placed straight onto the sink from the hob or even casserole dishes from the oven
• Hygienic: nonporous, ultra-smooth surface making it easy to keep clean
• Chemical resistant: Resistant to all household chemicals top include neat bleach
• Extreme Hardness: Extremely resistant to impact, cutlery will not scratch the surface with normal use.

 

Top Tips for Choosing a Kitchen Sink

Follow our top tips for choosing the right kind of kitchen sink for your home and don’t forget, you can always pop into our Cannock kitchen showroom to talk to the experts!

• If you frequently use large pans or oven trays, opt for a larger or winder kitchen sink bowl.
• Choose a sink with a built in strainer if you often wash by hand for ease.
• Are you buying a new kitchen sink as part of a full kitchen renovation or on its own? If replacing an old sink you’ll need to match the size of the previous sink.
• Want a more cost-effective kitchen sink? Opt for stainless steel or linen stainless steel.
• Looking for a sink that fits any worktop type? Choose an insert sink over an undermount sink.
• Consider sink placement. Unless having a new kitchen the best place is where your old one was to avoid extra costs. If replacing your kitchen, consider where the best place is to make your kitchen flow more easily, including relation to dishwasher placement.

Talk to the Experts

Based in Cannock, New Design Kitchens are experts in all things kitchens. If you need advice on the best type of kitchen sink to choose or any other kitchen-related questions, contact our team now or call in to our Cannock showroom.