kitchen sinks , types of kitchen sinks

Kitchen Sinks

The type of kitchen sink can greatly affect the style and functionality of your kitchen.

Kitchen Sinks:

Not too long ago, homeowners had two choices when it came to selecting a new kitchen sink -- cast iron or stainless. There were few choices of colors or shapes, and certainly no options for any customized sink accessories. So today's myriad of kitchen sink choices come as a refreshing change to those who want to personalize their kitchen.

The only problem now is that there are so many choices when it comes to picking out a kitchen sink -- that it may be overwhelming.

There is a great amount of custom details you can choose from when choosing kitchen sinks for your design. Size, in width and depth, is of course the biggest choice you will make when choosing sinks. Along with that, you can choose whether you would like a stainless steel, granite or copper sink in your kitchen. Will your sink feature a soap dispenser? Will it be shaped to fit in the corner of your kitchen or will it be rectangular? What about your stainless steel faucets?

Stainless Steel kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel is still the most popular kitchen sink style, claiming 57 percent of the market, according to year 2000 statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce. For those on a tight budget, stainless steel kitchen sinks provides the lowest price point, with some models starting at $100. There are two main things to look for in choosing a stainless steel kitchen sink: 1) the thickness or gauge of the steel; and 2) the sound deadening ability (which determines how loud the noise is when something is dropped into the sink, such as a piece of silverware).

Stainless kitchen sinks are very popular in today's modern kitchens because they provide a perfect match to commercial-styled appliances. And, many of the latest models are available in innovative shapes that allow homeowners to customize a sink configuration. Moen's Lancelot line, for example, is available in oval, round and trapezoid bowl choices. With Lancelot, consumers can actually "design their own sink" by combining component sinks for any kitchen configuration.

Cast Iron kitchen Sinks

If you have an older kitchen that hasn't been through a remodel, there is a good chance that you have a cast iron kitchen sink. These kitchen sinks feature an iron base coated with an enamel finish. Although the latest cast iron kitchen sinks come in an array of colors, the main disadvantage is that they can chip or scratch, exposing the black surface underneath. When this surface is exposed, it can often lead to rusting. In addition, due to cast iron's high degree of thermal conductivity, hot water does not hold its temperatures for very long.

Some homeowners still prefer cast iron because of the authenticity it lends to older homes, its glossy finish, and its stain resistance. Prices for cast iron sinks range from $200 to $1,200.

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