Kitchen Sinks

There are three sink styles, each with a specific type of installation: top-mount, under-mount and apron-front. Consider your kitchen cabinet size and what kitchen sink installation type will work best with your cabinet configuration.

Top-mount sinks

  • Easiest to install
  • Often used with laminate countertops
  • Sink rim extends above countertop surface

Under-mount sinks

  • Mounted beneath your countertop
  • Used with solid-surface, stone and quartz countertops
  • Easily sweep debris off counter and into bowl

Apron-front sinks

  • Sometimes called a farmhouse sink
  • Notable for its attractive front panel or apron
  • Short apron option lets you install with conventional cabinetry
  • Available in both enameled cast iron and stainless steel
  • Available in under-mount, top-mount and tile-in models

Tile-in sinks

A tile-in sink is specially designed for installation in a tile countertop. It has a flat edge that allows the installer to butt the tile up against the sink and grout the sink as if it were another tile.

  • The tile butts against the sink edge for a clean look similar to that of an under-mount sink
  • The sink edge has square, not rounded, corners

Choose a bowl configuration

Are you more comfortable with a single-bowl or a multiple-bowl model? Do you wash dishes by hand and like a separate bowl for draining? Consider the size, shape and configuration you’d like.

Single-bowl sinks

  • Ideal for washing large pots and platters
  • Available in a variety of sizes and materials
  • Some models feature wet work surfaces for food prep

Pros: A single, deep basin means you can easily soak or wash a big pan or prep large quantities of food.

Cons: Rinsing vegetables while soaking a large casserole dish requires a bit of juggling — as does hand washing and rinsing china or stemware.

Offset bowl sinks (a 60/40 or offset sink)

  • Space and separation for washing and rinsing
  • Typically one large and one small bowl
  • Available in many configurations
  • Smart Divide® feature lets you wash large pans while providing a dual-bowl sink

Pros: Two basins allow you to perform separate tasks, such as cleaning dishes and preparing food, with ease. A 60/40 sink has one basin that is usually about 18 inches wide and another that is 14 inches wide. The idea is that you can clean up in the large basin and prep in the smaller one. Dual basins also come in handy when you are washing items you don’t want to put in the dishwasher (soap in one basin, rinse water in the other).

Cons: A smaller basin makes it harder to wash and soak large pans.

Double-equal sinks (a 50/50 sink)

  • Separate bowls offer a versatile workspace in the sink
  • Full range of depths including extra-deep bowls
  • Smart Divide® feature lets you wash large pans while providing a dual-bowl sink

Pros: This is for people who love symmetry in design. It also has the benefit of allowing separate tasks (cleaning, prepping and washing, rinsing).

Cons: That large pan could be soaking on the counter.

Smart Divide Sinks

The best of both worlds. Smart Divide kitchen sinks feature dividers that are half the height of those found in conventional double-bowl sinks.

  • Offers the openness of a single bowl with the function of a double bowl
  • Accommodates large cookware that standard double-bowl sinks can’t
  • Lets you easily transfer large pots and pans from bowl to bowl

Choose a material

Would you like a choice of gorgeous hues ranging from pale to powerful? Are you interested in a subtle matte finish, or do you have your heart set on the classic look of stainless steel? We’ll help you decide.

Stainless steel

Pros: This is a very durable, easy-to-clean material.

Cons: The metal can scratch, but the marks can be buffed out of brushed stainless steel. Most manufacturers offer bottom grids (wire trays that are placed in the bottom of the sink to prevent scratching). Also, if you live in a area with hard water, water spots can be a problem.

Porcelain

Pros: This is a traditional material that looks authentic in kitchens with a vintage style. For people who love color, the choices are endless.

Cons: Porcelain sinks can chip, leaving a black mark. Metal pans can also leave black marks or scuffs that are difficult to remove.

Granite composite

Pros: Made of granite particles and polymers, this material resists scratches and chips. It does not show water spots.

Cons: Lighter-colored granite composite sinks can stain, and some special maintenance is required.

Natural stone

Pros: A natural stone sink — soapstone being the most common choice — can exactly match your countertop material and can give a kitchen an authentic period look.

Cons: The material is costly, and it can scratch and chip. Special cleaning products may be required.

Sink Accessories

Pros: Sink manufacturers are making the sink work harder with myriad accessories built to perfectly fit on the lip of the basin. The choices include cutting boards, prep bowls, knife blocks, colanders and racks for dishcloths or cleaning utensils. These items can centralize and organize prep work.

Cons: To achieve a perfect fit, it’s best to buy directly from the manufacturer. If you subscribe to the “basic is better” school of thought, sink accessories are not for you.

Sink systems

Pros: More manufacturers are making very specialized sink systems, such as the galley sink. In units such as this one, everything from rinsing to chopping to serving (made possible by ice chest and condiment container inserts) happens at the sink.

Cons: This sink can take up a lot of countertop space, although the prep areas it provides may make up for that.

Because it’s so involved, this option is not for the casual cook. The industrial look makes a strong statement.

Lowered Divider

Pros: Want to have a double sink and be able to comfortably wash or soak a long-handled pan? A sink with a lowered divider might be for you.

Cons: If your cooking style demands deep water, this is not an ideal configuration.