Buyer Guide

Buyers Guide - Kitchen Sink Taps

The kitchen mixer tap is the hardest working piece of equipment in the home. From filling the kettle to rinsing vegetables, it is used throughout the day, every day. Therefore it is essential to invest in a tap that not only looks good, but is also built to last.

Design styles

A kitchen tap should be chosen for its perfect balance of design and function. It should enhance the work area and be effortless to use, even with greasy hands. Swivel spouts are preferential to fixed spouts. They can be moved out of the way when necessary and reach between the two bowls of a double sink.

For an architectural open-plan space, choose a single-lever mixer with refined lines to echo the purity of the room. For a traditional kitchen select a two-handle mixer. Keen cooks will appreciate pull-out rinsing sprays and mousseurs - both make light work of rinsing out pots.

Single-lever taps

Single-lever mixer taps enable you to control the water flow and temperature with one hand. Ceramic discs in the tap cartridge allow fingertip control of the water mix, leaving your other hand free to use the rinsing spray. Levers can either be mounted on the top or at the side of the tap body.

Two-handle taps

The classic styling of a two-handle taps allows them to adapt to any kitchen environment. Mounted in a single hole in the sink or the worktop, they feature individual levers or handles to control the hot and cold water supplies.

Tap finishes

Stainless steel and chrome taps complement all style of kitchens. Sparkling chrome will add a highlight to the kitchen area and enhances the look of composite work surfaces and sinks. Stainless steel, a material known for its anti-bacterial qualities, gives a professional look.

What should I look for?

Look out for a solid metal tap body with ceramic discs in the cartridge for smooth easy-to-use actuation. A quality tap will last a lifetime so select a design with timeless appeal.

It is false economy to buy a cheap tap, as you will only have to replace it a few years time. If your budget is tight, try and save money elsewhere in the kitchen.

Choose a tap that comes with a guarantee - this shows that the manufacturer is confident that its products will deliver for years to come.

Before purchase, check that your water pressure is compatible with your choice of tap. For optimal performance, many taps require a minimum flow pressure of 1.0bar.

The kitchen tap is now a sophisticated piece of engineering. To meet the demands of keen cooks, wide-angle swivel spouts and extractable rinsing sprays are fast becoming a pre-requisite and higher spouts the norm.

Spout styles

As the spout of a kitchen tap is that much higher and longer than that of most bathroom taps its shape will dramatically influence the look of your kitchen. Cast spouts form a gentle arc from the base of the tap body and have a low profile, while U-, L- and C-shapes transform the tap into a focal point as they rise elegantly above the work level.

Extra-large pots are now commonplace in the kitchen, so make sure you select a tap with a spout that is high enough to accommodate your largest pan. If you have a double sink ensure that you choose a tap with a wide swivel action to allow you to switch easily between the bowls - some models now feature a 360 degrees swivel spout.

Extractable sprays

Pull-out mousseurs and ergonomically-designed hand sprays bring extra functionality to the workspace. Both are attached to a retractable hose that sits within the spout. Many handsprays feature a trigger action button, which activates a wide spray pattern - perfect for rinsing delicate salad leaves.

Look out for silicone nozzles as these repel limescale and are easy to clean.

Buyers Guide - Work Surfaces & Sinks

Work surfaces

Whether you want it to make a statement or blend into the background, your choice of worktop will influence the overall look of your kitchen so take time to select the correct material and colour. It should suit your lifestyle and your household, therefore families and keen cooks should look for hardwearing, low-maintenance surfaces.

Mix materials and colours. By choosing more than one material you can effectively create different zones in you kitchen - consider combining a wood-topped island unit with granite surfaces elsewhere for a timeless appeal. And don't just stick to straight runs. Introduce some curves to soften the look.

Wood

Solid hardwoods work well in both rustic and modern kitchens. They are hard wearing and their look often improves with age. Lighter shade of beach and birch are now being replaced by the richer hues of oak and walnut. Woods such as iroko and teak are ideal for use around the sink area as they are water resistant.

Stainless steel

Chosen for its hygienic qualities and industrial looks, stainless steel will enhance the look of a professional style kitchen.

Solid surfaces and quartz composites

Modern solid surface materials, such as Corian, bring a host of design opportunities to the kitchen as they can be formed into any shape without any obvious joins. Choose pure white for architectural spaces, or inject some colour into a modern kitchen with a bright primary.

Composites, made from a mix of quartz and resin, are incredibly durable. They have the cool looks and touch of natural stone and are available in a range of colours.

Natural stone

Due to its resilience and low-maintenance, granite is a popular choice for a kitchen worktop. Available in a number of shades it works well in both modern and traditional settings and can have either a honed (satin) or polished finish.

Limestone and pale marbles are often chosen for their looks, however they are both susceptible to staining and should be treated with care.

Concrete and glass

Thick cast concrete surfaces are the choice of designers and architects, while glass worktops used in combination with under-mounted sinks will give a light contemporary feel. Glass surfaces - available in a choice of thicknesses and colours - are highly reflective so will bounce light around the kitchen.

Worktop details

Practical details such as routed draining channels next to the sink and integrated pot stands next to hob will add an extra element to your work surface and should be considered prior to ordering.

Choosing a sink

While your choice of work surface is generally led by design preference, there are a number of practical requirements that will help you determine your choice and style of sink.

Main sink

Recent years have seen a shift in the role the kitchen. Once used for little more than food preparation and cooking, it is now the hub of the home. Extra-large appliances have become the preferred choice. In response to this sink manufacturers now offer a vast range of configurations in all shapes and sizes. Whether you want a single bowl, double bowls, a half-bowl or any combination of the aforementioned, there is a model to suit.

Many now come with a range of additional accessories including draining trays, colanders, chopping boards and undermounted waste sorters. Before you make your decision, always check that the size of your sink will be able to cope with your largest pan.

Materials

From stainless steel to modern composites, sinks come in an array of materials and colours. Traditional Belfast sinks, made from glazed fireclay are still a popular choice for rustic settings. Stainless steel, with its inherent anti-bacterial properties, will lend a semi-professional look to the kitchen. Quartz composites and modern solid surface materials, such as Corian, are offered in a rainbow of colours and stone effects.

Mounting options

Sinks can either be built-in, undermounted or integrated. Built-in models feature a rim (and drainer, if chosen) that extends over the edge of the surrounding work surface. With undermounted sinks the bowl is fixed below the worktop. For an integrated sink - where the sink and worktop are made as one piece - choose a solid surface, stainless steel or a quartz composite.

Preparation sinks

For larger kitchens it is worth including a preparation sink. Designed to supplement the main sink, these smaller sink bowls provide an extra area for the rinsing and preparation of fresh produce.

If your kitchen includes a peninsular or island unit with a bar area then consider locating it here. This way other family members can help themselves to drinks without having to enter the main work zone.

Buyers Guide - Planning an Efficient Work Zone

The kitchen is the central meeting point of every household. From breakfast to relaxing with friends, its design needs to meet the requirements of all of its users. Before you start, consider all the tasks and activities that you would like to use the space for and include an area for each of these.

Kitchen layout

Both the size and shape of your kitchen will help you to determine the best way to utilise the space. The principal activity zones: the sink, the cooker or hob and a preparation/serving area, should be laid out in a triangle and contained within an area that is uninterrupted by through traffic. This is often referred to as the work triangle and is the most efficient way to plan a kitchen, as it cuts down on time spent walking between these areas. It may be that you will need to re-locate some of the service points - e.g. water, electricity and waste pipes - within the space to create the best layout.

Locating the essentials

Ideally there should be an area of work surface, either side of the sink and hob. Freestanding range-style cookers give a semi-professional look. If you prefer built-in appliances, then consider locating a single or double oven in a tall unit as they are more convenient to use at this height. Remember that front-loading appliances, such as ovens and dishwashers, will require extra space in front of them for comfortable access. Locate this dishwasher adjacent to the sink, so that you can easily pre-rise dishes before loading the dishwasher.

Style and design

Consider the amount of storage space you will need for food, pans, tableware and small appliances. Locate wide pan drawers between the sink and the hob and allow adequate surface space for the kettle, toaster and other frequently used extras. Wall units often make a small kitchen appear smaller, so consider glass-fronted doors for a lighter feel, or combine them with open shelving. Tall pull-out larders are now popular and allow easy access to all their contents. Mid-height and full-height units can be used to house a built-in appliance as well as provide extra storage space.

Kitchen dining

Open-plan kitchen/dining areas are now a popular choice. If you have the space, include an island or peninsular unit to separate the work zone from the dining area. Here, choosing a different worktop material will add interest and help to define the two areas. This is also a good place to locate a breakfast bar for informal dining and a second sink.