Thursday, September 28, 2006
Setting up a kitchen - Sinks
hmm... once most of the carpentry is up, it is time to look at accessories like hood and hob, sink and taps and stainless steel accessories that usually come with the setting up of a functional kitchen
The kitchen sink is a must have in every kitchen and there are many sink and tap, suited for every kind of kitchen, available in the market.
The most commonly used ones are the stainless steel sinks that we grew up with. There are also sinks that are made of different material to suit different types of designs and preferences.
We have came across a variety of sinks during our search and we will discuss those that are commonly available here.
Sink mounting
The are only two ways to mount the sink, on top of the kitchen counter top or under it... appropriately termed top mount and under mount.
Top mount
The sink sit in measured custom-shaped holes roughly cut in the kitchen top and are suspended by their rim. The rim then inherently forms a fairly close seal with the top surface of the countertop.
Under mount
Most any sink can be undermounted. The main requirement is adequate support so that the top of it is flush or slightly lower than your 3/4" kitchen top.
Undermount sinks typically have a large, flat, often thinner rim with an unfinished edge.
The edge of the countertop material is exposed at the hole created for the sink (and so must be a carefully polished to a smooth finished). The sink is then clamped to the bottom of the material from below. Silicone-based sealants are used to assure a waterproof joint between the sink and the countertop material creating a contemporary look to the kitchen overall design.
Sink configuration
There are actually many configuration for sinks today as compared to our mums and dad's time. They come in single bowl, double bowl, corner single or double bowl are the common ones you will come across when searching for your sink to suit the needs and the design of your kitchen.
Do take note of the measurement when selecting a sink. The length, width and even the depth of the bowl will determine how much allowance your carpenter has to give when customizing your kitchen cabinets.
Sink material
The kitchen sink typically comes in a variety of material, the common ones found in the local market are stainless steel, granite. There are, however, other materials that are used and can be customized for your kitchen if requested.
Stainless Steel Sink
We always hear of 18/8 grade of stainless steel... what 18/8 grade Stainless is? What do the numbers represent?
18/8 stainless steel usually indicates composition of chromium, nickel and iron used to manufacture that particular sink. This composite contains 18% chromium, 8% nickel and the remainder is iron. It does however also contain other elements, but at very low levels. Other common designations include 301, 302, and 304 stainless steel, to differentiate the different trace amounts of carbon, usually <0.1%, to make the steel tougher.
This 18/8 grade of stainless steel is common and is widely available and relatively cheap. It also gives a great finish when electro-polished. This type of stainless steel is usually prone to surface damage like scratches.
There is little overall difference in corrosion resistance among the 18/8 grade, but slight differences in chemical composition do make certain grades more resistant than others against particular chemicals or atmospheres.
Granite Sink
Comes in a variety of colours and configuration. Hard rock granite is heat, stain, scratch and chip resistant. The uniform color of the granite also makes imperfections harder to be noticed. With the polished finish of the granite sink, they are easy to clean and maintain.
Granite sinks offer definite functional advantages in addition to their beautiful appearance. Mostly used for aesthetics. The most obvious reason for deciding on a granite sink is that it is usually recessed into the countertop, blending beautifully with a granite counter and are a perfect complement to the warm, inviting, yet elegant look designers strive for.
Custom Solid surface sinks
Similar to granite sinks, but are custom made to the solid surface you are installing in the kitchen.
Solid-surface materials allow sinks to be made of the same material and color as the kitchen top selected. These sinks can then easily be adhered to the underside of the countertop material and the joint sanded flat, creating the usual invisible joint and completely eliminating any dirt-catching seam between the sink and the countertop.
Prev:Kitchen Tops
Next: Setting up a kitchen - Hobs and Hoods
The kitchen sink is a must have in every kitchen and there are many sink and tap, suited for every kind of kitchen, available in the market.
The most commonly used ones are the stainless steel sinks that we grew up with. There are also sinks that are made of different material to suit different types of designs and preferences.
We have came across a variety of sinks during our search and we will discuss those that are commonly available here.
Sink mounting
The are only two ways to mount the sink, on top of the kitchen counter top or under it... appropriately termed top mount and under mount.
Top mount
The sink sit in measured custom-shaped holes roughly cut in the kitchen top and are suspended by their rim. The rim then inherently forms a fairly close seal with the top surface of the countertop.
Under mount
Most any sink can be undermounted. The main requirement is adequate support so that the top of it is flush or slightly lower than your 3/4" kitchen top.
Undermount sinks typically have a large, flat, often thinner rim with an unfinished edge.
The edge of the countertop material is exposed at the hole created for the sink (and so must be a carefully polished to a smooth finished). The sink is then clamped to the bottom of the material from below. Silicone-based sealants are used to assure a waterproof joint between the sink and the countertop material creating a contemporary look to the kitchen overall design.
Sink configuration
There are actually many configuration for sinks today as compared to our mums and dad's time. They come in single bowl, double bowl, corner single or double bowl are the common ones you will come across when searching for your sink to suit the needs and the design of your kitchen.
Do take note of the measurement when selecting a sink. The length, width and even the depth of the bowl will determine how much allowance your carpenter has to give when customizing your kitchen cabinets.
Sink material
The kitchen sink typically comes in a variety of material, the common ones found in the local market are stainless steel, granite. There are, however, other materials that are used and can be customized for your kitchen if requested.
Stainless Steel Sink
We always hear of 18/8 grade of stainless steel... what 18/8 grade Stainless is? What do the numbers represent?
18/8 stainless steel usually indicates composition of chromium, nickel and iron used to manufacture that particular sink. This composite contains 18% chromium, 8% nickel and the remainder is iron. It does however also contain other elements, but at very low levels. Other common designations include 301, 302, and 304 stainless steel, to differentiate the different trace amounts of carbon, usually <0.1%, to make the steel tougher.
This 18/8 grade of stainless steel is common and is widely available and relatively cheap. It also gives a great finish when electro-polished. This type of stainless steel is usually prone to surface damage like scratches.
There is little overall difference in corrosion resistance among the 18/8 grade, but slight differences in chemical composition do make certain grades more resistant than others against particular chemicals or atmospheres.
Granite Sink
Comes in a variety of colours and configuration. Hard rock granite is heat, stain, scratch and chip resistant. The uniform color of the granite also makes imperfections harder to be noticed. With the polished finish of the granite sink, they are easy to clean and maintain.
Granite sinks offer definite functional advantages in addition to their beautiful appearance. Mostly used for aesthetics. The most obvious reason for deciding on a granite sink is that it is usually recessed into the countertop, blending beautifully with a granite counter and are a perfect complement to the warm, inviting, yet elegant look designers strive for.
Custom Solid surface sinks
Similar to granite sinks, but are custom made to the solid surface you are installing in the kitchen.
Solid-surface materials allow sinks to be made of the same material and color as the kitchen top selected. These sinks can then easily be adhered to the underside of the countertop material and the joint sanded flat, creating the usual invisible joint and completely eliminating any dirt-catching seam between the sink and the countertop.
Prev:Kitchen Tops
Next: Setting up a kitchen - Hobs and Hoods
# posted by GnM @ 9:23 PM 
