Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks

You’ve taken time to pick the perfect material for your countertop project, you are ready to have countertops fabricated and installed.  There’s one tiny detail - what type of sink are you going to select. It can seem intimidating, but it is really not that complicated.

 

Whether you need a kitchen sink or vanity sink Best Quality Countertops can help you with your selections.  We can professionally install your sink to your countertop, but a licensed plumber will need to do the final connections.

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Below is some common terminology to help you on your way to making a suitable choice for your project:

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Top Mount

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Top mount sinks are installed on top of a countertop. This means that a portion of the sink (the lip), overlaps the countertop to provide a covered edge. They’re sometimes referred to as ‘drop-in’ sinks because you drop them into the hole in order to install them.

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Under Mount

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Under mount sinks are defined by the way the sink is installed in relation the kitchen countertop. Rather than being dropped into a pre-cut hole in the countertop, under mount sinks are installed under the counter. Because of the way they are installed, there is no rim between the countertop and sink.  Under mount sinks are a popular choice for use with granite or quartz.

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Apron Front

 

Apron front sink have a distinct look because of its exposed front-facing side. It is a large sink that is fit into the counter top with the front edge of the sink being exposed. Also known as

farm sinks, apron front sinks were designed to be added to a space cut out of the kitchen counter

 

Integral sinks 

 

Integral sinks are made from the same material as the countertop they are set into. The effect is the seamless appearance of a smooth transition from sink to surface. In recent years, the integral sink has presented an opportunity to be creative and have a personalized design in the installation of a common sink.

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Both top mount and under mount come in a variety of materials.

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Stainless Steel

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One of the most popular is stainless. Not only does it look great with all countertop material, it also holds up well against cracks and chips.

The thicker the steel, the higher the quality, consider something with a higher gauge. You can also opt for an insulated one, which will reduce the noise of water hitting the bottom of the basin. Look for stainless steel sinks with rounded corners for easier cleaning.

 

Quartz Sinks

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also called quartz composite sinks. They are made using a mix of ground stone (quartz) and a binding agent to glue them all together. Like quartz composite countertops, these can be great for busy kitchens since they are scratch and cut resistant. They are comprised of quartz and resin–similar to quartz counters–and can be almost any color you need them to be since the color depends on the pigment added during manufacturing.

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They are available in under and over mount styles.

 

Porcelain

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If looks are a higher priority than durability, consider choosing a porcelain sink. It may sound strange to think of something as fragile as porcelain being durable at all, but in this case, it’s only the exterior layer that’s enameled with porcelain. The core is typically made of cast iron and they can last up to 25 years or more if they’re cared for properly.

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Porcelain is often under mounted with granite countertops.