Selecting the Right Sink for Your Kitchen Countertops

It is often said that a kitchen is the heart of a home. Your kitchen sink should be a reflection of your style, with all the functionality you need to handle daily chores. We are happy to help with the selection of suitable sinks for your project, so that your shopping for a sink becomes easy and pleasant.

Without saying, a kitchen sink you select should be the one you are in love with and should last for long years of usage without the need for replacement.

Click here and here to view sinks available for sale – other styles available upon request.

What to consider when selecting a sink for your kitchen countertops?

  • Contributes to the visual appeal and décor of the entire kitchen
  • Functionality to help daily usage
  • Durability to last for many years of usage
  • Fits within your budget

Under Mount vs. Top Mount Sinks (Drop-in Sinks)!

Under Mount Sinks

Installing under mount sinks with granite and quartz countertops is unquestionably the most popular choice and has become almost standard practice.

Under mount sinks have a beautiful seamless look and blends well with the granite that they are installed into. It is easy to clean the debris from countertops straight into the sink without the edge or the rim of the sink in the way.

Many varieties of attractive and durable under mount sinks are available.

Top Mount or Drop-in Sinks

Top mount sinks was the only choice for laminate countertops because the edges of the laminate cannot withstand the water exposure that happens when under mount method is used. Laminate countertops are also not strong enough to hold the weight of a sink mounted under its surface.

Usually a drop-in method is used in case of utility sinks like laundry room sinks etc. Drop-in sinks are little less expensive, but in the overall big picture of the project, the difference in the cost does not justify.

Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel sinks are by far the most used sinks with granite and quartz kitchen countertops; they are a complimentary match to most faucets. They do not rust, chip, or stain, and they are easy to clean and maintain. Satin finish goes well with most appliances and because scratches are less apparent compared to the high gloss finish.

Also, more and more manufacturers are making faucets in the satin finish, which makes it easy to select a suitable faucet as well.

Composite Granite Sinks

Composite granite sinks are becoming more popular because of their beauty and durability. Composite granite sinks are manufactured with a mix of 80% crushed natural granite powder and 20% epoxy resins and coloring pigments.

They are highly durable, heat resistant, extremely scratch resistant, very hygienic, and easy to clean. They are available in many colors to compliment granite, marble, or quartz countertops. They come in wide variety of sizes, styles, and shapes to go with any kitchen.

Enamel-Coated Cast Iron Sinks

Cast iron sinks are very elegant and durable. Cast iron sinks used to be the choice for elegant homes but with the introduction of lighter and more cost-effective sinks, the usage of cast iron sinks has gradually been reduced.

They are still perhaps the prettiest sinks in the market and they can be purchased in an array of beautiful colors and styles, including the farmhouse style, which is the most popular.

Over time the enamel coating can begin to peel off exposing the black cast iron below. They are incredibly heavy, and need additional bracing to support it. They also tend to be extremely expensive.

With the introduction of variety of composite sinks in the market, the popularity of cast iron sinks is diminishing.

What Size Sink Should Go with your Kitchen Countertops?

It is often your personal preference to choose size of the sink for your new kitchen countertops. However, you should consider the size of your kitchen. Obviously you do not want to select a 48” wide triple bowl sink for a small kitchen! You can go with a 22” to 28” kitchen for a smaller application.

You can only select a sink with external measurements (length and width) that fits into the inside measurements of your sink cabinet.

You also have to consider the space from the front to the back of the cabinets because there needs to be enough countertop space on the back portion of the sink to install the faucet.

If you decide however to choose a sink depth that does not allow space for a faucet, you can bump the sink cabinet out to the front to add the extra space needed. This has to be done when the cabinets are being designed.

This method may not be useful if you are keeping the old cabinets and installing new countertops.

Which Side of the Sink is the Garbage Disposal to be Placed?

This is another frequently asked question from our customers who want a double bowl sink. You can choose to install the garbage disposal on whichever side you like, but it should ideally be on the side in which you wash your dishes. That way scraps can go directly into the garbage disposal.

The bigger side of a double bowl sink is the ideal choice. In the case of an equal double bowl sink, it may be preferred to install the garbage disposal of the side near the dishwasher for easier loading of rinsed dishes in to the dishwasher.

The only constraint is if the garbage disposal is of a very big size and will only fit under the bowl with the smaller depth.