Kitchen sinks styles
Inset kitchen
sinks can be installed  in
any worktop however under mounted and Belfast sinks need a solid
surface such as Corian, granite, Zodiaq, Luxore or hardwood
sink areas. Our sister company has a website at www.kitchen-sinks.co.uk which has virtually every kitchen sink and tap available and at very
low prices.
Kitchen sinks role has changed, since the advent of the dishwasher,
to more of a multi purpose food preparation centre. A drainer
is now expected to become a chopping board and food waste is
more often removed by food waste disposal units mounted in the
sink, than by the bin. A noticeable change in kitchen sinks design has been
larger bowls to accommodate oven racks, as most other items
are washed in the dishwasher. If you entertain a lot then it
is worth considering a larger sink main bowl and a smaller bowl for
rinsing, preparing vegetables and a waste disposal unit. This
can be as part of the main sink or even separate in an appropriate
area, perhaps in the vicinity of the hob. Inset kitchen sinks are set
into a hole cut in any worktop material.
 Kitchen sinks come in a multitude of different styles, with
and without drainers and with multiple or single bowls. They
are made from stainless steel, ceramic and granite, which is
a mix of crushed stone and acrylic resin. All of these materials
are hard wearing and your choice should be based on the aesthetics
of the design and the arrangements of bowls and drainers available
in each material. There are a number of corner shapes available
in all of the above materials and kitchen sinks can be a great space
saver as well as a feature in the design. Kitchen sinks can fit across
a diagonal corner or are L-shaped with the bowl on one side
and the drainer on the other. Round bowls can also be a nice
feature but are not as practical as other styles. A Sit-on kitchen sink
replaces a section of worktop and is available in stainless
steel in a range of styles from Franke, Blanco and Stala. Astracast
kitchen sinks also have a coloured sit on sink available.
Under mounted kitchen sinks are set under a hole cut in any solid surface
worktop other than laminate. They are available in stainless
steel, Corian and ceramic sinks and in a range of bowl and drainer
arrangements. The worktop fabricator needs the sink, or at least
a template to ensure that the hole is accurate. The drainer
grooves are formed into the solid surface.
Kitchen taps are also a difficult choice as kitchen taps are finished in
a wide range of materials from granite effect to chrome, steel,
gold and bronze. The colour of kitchen taps can be to match sinks
or contrast and can also be chosen to match the handles and
appliances. In general don't try to include different metallic
finishes. Ceramic disc kitchen tap valves are essential and are the
longest lasting, easiest to change and to use. The tap handle will
be easy to rotate and will only need a slight movement to regulate
the water flow. Single lever kitchen taps are becoming very popular,
with one hand being able to adjust temperature and flow. They
can also incorporate a spray head for rinsing although these
need high pressure on the hot side. If you have standard pressure
on your hot water. ie:-it is not from a combi-boiler or pressurised
You need to ensure that you have easy
access to pipes for repairs in the event of a leak or blockage.
Belfast kitchen sinks - You will need to cut a
hole in the top of the unit to allow the sinks to sit level in
the unit. It should be packed up until it is level or just below
the rim of the base units. Fit a support rail on the wall behind
it. There are no fixings required, just seal it along its top
edge with silicone before positioning the worktops. It is normal
to have up to 10mm overhang of worktop over the bowl.
Inset kitchen sinks - Each sink may have a template or you can draw
round it and measure a line in by the required dimension for
the rim clips. A jigsaw is used to cut out the hole. This should
be done with the worktops off the units. The unit top rails
will need to be cut out and the clips may need checks taken
out of the unit gables. Once you have the cut out completed
and the unit cut to suit, then lay the sink in place and clamp
it down. It may first be necessary to put a silicone bead around
the cutout to effectively seal the sink to the worktop. The
cut edge of a laminated worktop should also be smeared with
a suitable sealant to protect it from any water. Once this is
done then lift the worktop and place on the unit.
Undermounted kitchen sinks - These are fixed to the underside using
screws or bolts through a metal plate depending on the worktop
material. Suitable brackets may be supplied unless the weight
is such that a support table needs to be built under it. First
put a bead of silicone around the rim then position the sink
and fix it to the underside. The worktop cutout needs to have
a finished edge, as it is visible. |
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