Types of Kitchen Sinks & Materials In Australia

What type of kitchen sink you’ll select for your new or renovated kitchen? Think how much time you’ll be spending washing and rinsing dishes, washing produce, peeling vegetables, washing your hands etc. That’s a lot of activity for one kitchen part and it needs to be strong enough to take the strain.

Type of Kitchen Sink Installation

You can choose one of the commonly used kitchen sink installation types in Australia mentioned below:

Undermount Kitchen Sink

Undermount kitchen sinks rest below the bench surface and have superb popularity in recent years. Homeowners love the smooth and streamlined look of a well-installed under-mount sink. They look beautiful with stone benchtops such as marble and granite natural stones or man-made engineered stone such as Caesarstone. To install an undermount kitchen sink, a hole requires to be cut exactly in the bench to fit the exact dimensions of the sink. Sealing is imperative to ensure they remain watertight. Extra support structures are also needed under the sink to hold it in place. Make sure what type of support might be required, as some styles can consume more space than others and can compromise the cupboard space that is available beneath the sink.

Flush Mount Kitchen Sink

In flush mount kitchen sinks, you won’t see any rims, lips or edges to the sink and they offer a sleek look. Similar to an under-mount sink, a hole needs to cut perfectly to house the sink and sealed appropriately.

Top mount Kitchen Sink

Top mount kitchen sinks have always remained the standard choice. Top mount sinks are installed on top of the kitchen benchtop. The edge of the sink sits on the benchtop, which is mostly how the sink is supported. Besides, the rim is sealed to make sure that the edge of the sink stays waterproof. Top mount kitchen sinks are easy to install, making them budget friendlier than other alternatives.

Single or Double Bowl Kitchen Sink

Well, you’ll have to choose between a single or double bowl kitchen sink depending on your use and the functionality you need.

• If you often have to soak large trays or pans, then a large single bowl kitchen sink will be perfect.
• On the other hand, double sinks provide you with greater flexibility to do multiple chores; however, you might be restricted by the size of the basins.

Ultimately it’s your choice: One larger than the other or both basins of the same size. Regardless of what you select, remember that the bigger the sink, the more bench space it will consume, plus a bigger cabinet will be needed underneath. It’s not all, you get yet another interesting option with a triple sink set-up wherein the middle sink is kept for garbage disposal while two standard basins on either side.

Types of Sink Materials

Popular sink materials used in Australia are explained below:

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel is a commonly used material for kitchen sinks. The stainless steel kitchen sink is the default choice of many homeowners because it is easy-to-clean, hygienic, durable and affordable. Moreover, stainless steel sinks effortlessly suit all kitchen styles and colour schemes. As far as possible, choose premium quality steel that has sound deadening pads so you can avoid the “tinny” noise that you’ll get from some cheap variants. Never use abrasive cleaners or cloths because stainless steel is vulnerable to scratch.

Stone Kitchen Sinks

Stone sinks including granite are comparatively pricier and heavy, but they look stunning in the right place. They are very hygienic and extremely durable.

Solid Surface Corian Kitchen Sinks

If hygiene is your topmost priority, then install a solid surface sink, popularly known as Corian (DuPont brand). Corian offers you the capability to create a continuous surface integrating the benchtop and sink. It does not have any rims or joins, so it would be difficult for water, grime and dirt to gather. Besides, you can have a stainless steel base in the sink.

Ceramic Kitchen Sinks

Ceramic sinks are also known as porcelain sinks; they adorned traditional kitchens. They are pure vintage style. A variety of colours to choose from, so you’ll get something that matches your kitchen interiors. However, you need to take added care because ceramic can mark, scuff and chip, and you need to regularly clean it to keep it spotless.

Acrylic Kitchen Sinks

Acrylic sinks are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and are lightweight. They can resemble sandstone, ceramic and even granite.

Enamel-Coated Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks

Enamel-coated cast-iron kitchen sinks are known for their retro appeal and impressive permanence, and they are making a comeback.

What Type of Kitchen Sink Would You Prefer?

The above information will help you to choose the right kitchen sink for your newly built kitchen or kitchen makeover. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at Handles & More on 02 9757 4400, and one of our experienced teams will be delighted to help you.