A kitchen sink is one of the most important attributes of a home interior. According to statistics, housewives who do not have a dishwasher, about 10 days a year are engaged in washing dishes. Therefore, it is very important that the sink is spacious and comfortable.
Features of the selection and installation of kitchen sinks
Most often, the sink rests on a floor cabinet, inside which all the sewage and water pipes are located. That is why its shape in most cases depends on the configuration and dimensions of this design.
Naturally, a sink cannot be larger than the drawer into which it is built. Therefore, before choosing it, it is necessary, first of all, to measure the depth and width, which can be distinguished under it. After that, determine what kind of sink is needed - simple or with a departure. It is important to take into account its sideness, which depends on the placement of the kitchen set and on the characteristics of the hostess herself. For those with a leading right hand, it will be inconvenient to use the bowl with a departure on the left and vice versa.
Also consider the distance from the edge to the wall. It should be approximately five cm so that splashes get as little as possible on clothes and an apron. It is not worth making too large a distance from the edge, as reaching for the sink will be inconvenient.
Bowl depth
This is also an important parameter when choosing a sink. It should be of sufficient depth so that a large number of dishes can be placed and less water is sprayed. The depth is considered to be standard 16-20 cm. This is quite enough for a convenient and comfortable washing. Deeper than this size should be chosen in cases where large dishes or baking sheets are often used. With a depth of more than 20 cm, when washing dishes, you will have to bend over, and this is not very convenient for the back.
Shape and dimensions of kitchen sinks
Today there is a huge variety of models of kitchen sinks, which allows you to choose the right option for any needs, parameters and interior.
Consider the most common forms of sinks.
Square sinks
This form is considered standard. Such models were popular in Soviet times. Square sinks are well suited for a small kitchen. Standard sizes of kitchen sinks: 50 x 50 cm or 60 x 60 cm.
Rectangular
This is ideal for narrow countertops. The only drawback of such models is the large amount of spray. The most common sizes of kitchen sinks are 50 × 125 cm, 50 × 100 cm, 50 × 80 cm, 50 × 60 cm. The smallest of them is 40 x 60 cm.
Round
These are more capacious models than rectangular or square. When they are installed in the corner there is a space where you can place detergents. Typically, round bowls do not have additional baskets for washing vegetables. The standard diameter is 45-51 cm, but there are also very small models. For example, the size of round kitchen sinks is only 30 cm.
In addition to standard forms, today you can also find oval, triangular, trapezoidal, fantasy design models. Non-standard sizes are also found, for example, 780 x 500 mm.
Production material
The shape and size of kitchen sinks often depends on the material from which they are made. It can be steel, artificial granite, ceramics, cast iron. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Steel
These are round or rectangular bowls. They are most often used in kitchens in our country. As a rule, they have a wing for drying dishes, although there are even without it. Stainless steel kitchen sinks have the following dimensions:
- round - 49 or 51 cm;
- rectangular - 48 x 85 cm, 44 x 78 cm, 51 x 58 cm, 50 x 77 cm;
- depth - from 16 to 20 cm.
Each manufacturer that produces kitchen sinks, of course, has its own dimensions. The above numbers are standard and will help you navigate when choosing this attribute.
Fake diamond
Sinks from this material are gaining more and more popularity today. Thanks to the color palette, this type of sinks fits well into any interior. Products are resistant to dents and scratches, have a long service life.
But the cost of such models is much higher than stainless steel. Sinks do not conduct sound well, so the pouring water is almost inaudible. The sizes of kitchen sinks made of stone are selected depending on the number of dishes and the area of the kitchen. The width of a standard sink is 60 cm. If there is very little space, you can find a more compact size of kitchen sinks made of artificial stone, for example, 45-50 cm. Such sinks are most often made deeper, making up for the reduced width.
Ceramics
Such shells do not scratch, do not oxidize. Ceramics perfectly complement the classic style kitchen. The disadvantage of such models is fragility. In addition, sinks are not shockproof and can easily be damaged.
Cast iron
Cast iron rectangular kitchen sinks measuring 50 x 60 cm were very popular in Soviet times. Today, the demand for them is small, since this material is susceptible to corrosion and rusts and peels off after a while. To avoid this, manufacturers cover it with enamel. But the paint erases and chips off over time. The sink loses its attractive appearance. Although if you need to design an interior in the style of the 1980s, this option will be quite appropriate.
You can find models in which two or three bowls are combined. This type is quite convenient. Dirty dishes are put in one bowl, products are cleaned or thawed in another, which do not interfere with rinsing the cups or collecting water. But for such sinks, a certain space is required. Therefore, the cabinet in which it is installed must have a width of at least 80 cm.
The size of the bowls in these sinks may be the same, or one sink will be smaller than the other. In the second case, the minimum size is 800 by 600 mm, with two identical ones - 600 by 900 mm.
Bowls can vary not only in size, but also in depth. Models with a compartment for washing vegetables and fruits or defrosting products are sold. Their volume is much smaller than the main wash. At multi-sectional sinks, bowls can be placed in a straight line or have an angular shape.
How to choose
You need to start choosing a sink with shape, size and material.
Before you buy a sink in the kitchen, decide on the dimensions of the headset, then you won’t be mistaken with the washing parameters.
When choosing a sink size, consider the number of people in the family and how often you wash the dishes. This will help determine the volume of the product. For a small family and six square kitchens, the ideal option is a 45 cm wide sink.
If there is a dishwasher, a large sink is not needed. A modest size, for example, a diameter of 30 cm, is quite enough.
For kitchens with beveled angles of 45 degrees, a multi-section trapezoidal model is ideal. It will be quite functional and will not take on the cutting table extra workspace.
The convenience of using a sink depends on the size of the sink and the spout of the kitchen faucet.
Mounting Methods
After the shape and material are selected, you need to plan how to mount the sink in the countertop. There are also several options:
- Waybill. The sink is simply placed on top of the cabinet. This option is perfect for a kitchen with a headset assembled from separate modules.
- Mortise. The sink is mounted on top of the countertop. This option is ideal for the integrated kitchen.
- Recessed. The sink crashes into the countertop and is located on the same level with it. This type is not very common, installation is done only by professionals. Their cost is much higher than that of mortise models.
- The table. Such sinks are mounted below the countertop. This option is the most expensive. Sinks of such models facilitate the cleaning of the kitchen table. At the junction of the sink and countertop, practically no debris accumulates.
If it’s not possible to install a large sink in the kitchen, but it is very necessary, this can be compensated by depth. Even in a small but deep sink, it is quite comfortable to clean the dishes. If you choose a round model, there will be a place for detergents.
When installing the sink, you need to choose the right mixer. His gander should direct the stream into the middle of the sink and allow a bucket or large pan to be placed under it.