Everything but the kitchen sink

You’ve thrown everything at your kitchen design, everything ‘except the kitchen sink’! This vital feature is central to the purpose of your kitchen, so it needs to be practical, hard-wearing and suitable to the way you live your life, rather than an afterthought.

However, when it comes to finding the ideal new sink, there’s a barrage of ‘sink terminology’ that can make the process more complicated. Our team at Ruach Kitchens will help to translate. Our designers are adept at knowing what sink will work with which materials, so that our customers end up with a product that’s a show-piece.

Here is our guide to the different kitchen sink styles and materials being used today:

Whether the sink is part of a whole new design, or you’re simply replacing what’s there already, your worktop material will affect your decision. There are four main options when it comes to integrating your sink:

1. Top Mount – this includes a rim which sits on top of the surface, making it easy to replace
2. Undermount – this creates clean lines by hiding the installation under the worksurface, great for solid surfaces like granite
3. Universal Mount – this sink can be mounted on any work surface as it can be placed on top or below
4. Apron Front Mount – this gives the country cottage style its defining look as the sink protrudes from the front of the cabinet below to reveal the exposed bowl

Once you’ve chosen the style, it’s time to select the material

The range of materials used in modern kitchens has never been wider, which makes the selection process harder. We believe this should be an enjoyable experience for our customers, and there’s nothing better than seeing real examples of the options available:

Stainless steel – this continues to top the chart as the most frequently selected sink on the market, with 70% of all sinks made from this. Stainless steel can be an inexpensive and hard-wearing option, as it is heat-proof and less likely to stain. However, the downsides include a tendency to scratch and a higher volume of noise from water hitting the surface, although new sinks can now be coated.

Granite or quartz composite – this is a relatively new material made of crushed granite or quartz set in a hard resin. This process produces an extremely hard-wearing worksurface, able to withstand long-term daily wear and tear, which isn’t prone to the problems 100% granite presents.

Cast iron – old fashioned but still popular today, the high-gloss enamel coating over the cast iron creates a nostalgic look. While a porcelain enamel finish may sound fragile, the process of fusing melted glass onto the iron produces a stain-resistant, easy to clean cover. The drawbacks include chipping and weight. The sheer weight of a cast iron sink means it needs to be supported underneath.

Fireclay – this moulded clay sink is covered in porcelain enamel and fired at very high temperatures over a long period of time. These sinks are available in all different shapes and sizes, however they are more expensive. With the right care they can look fantastic, but beware as they are prone to cracks and chips.

Finally, take a look at the shapes and sizes of sinks available at our showroom in Westerham, Kent. From oval bowls to symmetrical squares – there’s a design that’s tailormade for you.

You don’t need to feel bamboozled by the options available, just delighted by the choice. Call us today on 01959 457008.