Your sink is one of the most important appliances in your kitchen because you use it every day. Thanks to the different sizes and styles available we are now fortunate enough to be able to choose a sink and tap combo that complements any kitchen. Our buyer’s guide is here to help you decide which sink is most convenient for you and which taps will look best with your new sink.
SIZE OF SINK
TYPE OF SINK
MATERIAL
FEATURES AND ACCESSORIES
INSTALLATION AND DISPOSAL
The size of your sink will not only depend on what you use it for, but your lifestyle will also have an impact. If you have a dish washer then you may only need a small sink whereas if you have a large family and a lot of dishes to wash you may find that a larger sink is more suited to you.
This type of sink is useful if you have a small kitchen and you don’t want to overpower it with a large sink. If you have a dishwasher and you only need the sink for rinsing the dishes, not actually washing them then this size could work for you.
This size will be perfect if you like to multitask when preparing a meal. The big bowl allows you to rinse off or wash your dishes while the half bowl enables you to peel or prepare veg or drain your dishes whilst washing in the main bowl.
Originally cookers ran on solid fuel like coal and wood, some cookers still run on coal, although the cooker needs to be fed regularly with fuel. Wood is more environmentally friendly and carbon neutral when it burns and is ideal for locations with an unreliable power supply. Although coal and wood can be high maintenance, if you have an unlimited supply of wood then it can be a cost free way to cook.
The type of sink that you choose will depend on your personal preference and the worktops that you have as some have different requirements.
This sink is the most common type of sink. It requires a hole to be cut into your worktop so that the sink bowl can sit underneath the base of the kitchen unit. It means that only the surface of the sink is visible – creating a clean cut design. Inset sinks often include a drainer too.
An undermount sink has a minimalistic and modern finish in addition to being easy to clean. This type of sink needs to be paired with a waterproof worktop such as solid wood or granite. It’s the waterproof joints that connect the sink to the counter top and give it the streamlined look.
The sit-on sink sits on top of the cupboard and acts as the worktop itself. It also requires no cut out so you don’t have to waste any worktop material.
A reversible sink is used with drainers, it has tap holes that are already pre-cut at the front and back which enables the drainer to be used on the left or the right depending on your kitchen design. Whereas, a handed sink has tap holes pre-cut at the back and therefore the drainer position is already left or right.
The material of your sink is up to you – it may depend on your budget or the type of look that you want to create in your kitchen.
This is probably the most common and popular material for a sink as it is low maintenance and affordable. Stainless steel is available in a range of finishes – silk, polished, brushed and linen and they all have their own unique appearance. Look for a gauge of 18 or lower as the lower the number the thicker the sheet of stainless steel is which means it’s more durable and less prone to scratches.
For a traditional design in your kitchen, choose a fire-clay ceramic sink. This type of sink has incredible strength and doesn’t rust. It is also stain and heat resistant. It is available in a variety of colours so you can choose one to suit your kitchen. This material is made from a mixture of high quality new materials such as clay, glass and metal and is made to withstand heat. The glossy finish will give your kitchen added appeal and it is also available in different colours and styles so you can choose the one that best suits you. Ceramic sinks are hygienic, easy to wipe clean and are generally low maintenance, but they can chip or crack if heavy items are dropped in it.
This material is actually made from two or more materials that have different physical or chemical properties which are then combined together to create an even better material such as Neostone or Velstra. Composite sinks are a more recent introduction to the sink family. They are made from a mixture of materials which means that you get the benefits of all of them. This sink is easy to clean, in addition to being stain and heat resistant. Composite sinks can be made from quartz, granite or acrylic materials, in addition to many others.
If you choose a sink that is made from igneous then you can be sure that it has the ability to withstand any kitchen conditions such as chemicals, heat and scratches. Igneous is made from 80% quartz and high-grade acrylic and thanks to its natural antibacterial surface it’s easy to clean.
Now that you’ve got your brand new sink you may want to invest in some additional features or accessories to ensure that you can really get the most from it. The features and accessories are optional but they could provide extra benefits to your kitchen and sink.
Many sinks come complete with a drainer, but it will all depend on the type of sink that you buy and whether or not you have the space for one. Even if you have a dishwasher it’s still useful to have a drainer so that you can dry big pots and pans – it also uses much less energy than drying dishes in a dishwasher.
Available with specific brands, a micro-sheen finish keeps your sink and drainer glistening at all times.
Some sinks have their own antibacterial surfaces thanks to the material that they are made out of – this will keep your sink free from germs and bacteria.
Fitted clips and seals make it much easier and quicker to install sinks.
A Subtle Ground Edge Finish frames and enhances the sink.
A waste kit is used to prevent overflow in the sink, there are different types of waste kits available such as, square and basket strainer and bowl strainer which slot into the plug hole at the bottom of the sink.
In addition to a drainer you may want to purchase a draining basket which will sit on top of it. The draining basket prevents scratches from forming on your drainer and it also allows you to organise your dishes so that they can dry effectively.
This accessory is useful when trying to get rid of food waste - it stops the waste from falling and causing the sink to block.
If you are using up the whole sink already and you don’t have room to prep your food then a food prep board may be useful. To improve hygiene in the kitchen you can colour code or use different styles for different foods.
A plate rack balances on the sink and provides extra space to dry dishes when you have already used all of the space on the draining board.
This is similar to the plate rack and can be used as extra drying space. It can also be used to hold hot pots and pans straight from the oven to avoid damaging the worktop.
A glass worktop saver enables you to prepare food without damaging the surface and is also easy to clean. It’s one of the most hygienic tools to use when preparing food.
While you can install your sink yourself it is always best to get a professional to do it for you. Different types of sink require different installation methods so by getting a professional to do it you can be sure that it is being done correctly – especially if the sink needs to be cut into the work top or if it needs specific tools that stop the water from leaking from the sink to the counter top. It’s always better to let the professional to the job.
Check the warranty on your sink as different manufacturers will have different policies. It’s important to fully understand the warranty of your sink so that you can rest knowing that if you aren’t satisfied with the sink then you are completely covered. You should note that warranty does not cover normal wear and tear which occurs through the use of the sink.
TYPE OF TAP
FINISH
WATER PRESSURE
WASTE DISPOSERS
INSTALLATION AND DISPOSAL
Add a touch of aesthetic appeal to your kitchen by choosing from a wide selection of traditional and contemporary styles.
Pillar taps are traditional style taps, there is a separate tap for hot and cold water and they are usually the most affordable.
Bridge taps have one faucet, one tap for hot water and one tap for cold water. They also have two valves and two mounting parts.
Filter taps remove impurities such as: harmful bacteria, chlorine, lead and parasites and cysts - including cryptosporidium from the water by combining the under sink water filter with the kitchen tap so that your water tastes pure. Th
