Discount Kitchen Sinks

What do you look for in discount kitchen sinks?

As the focal point of the kitchen for food prep dish washing you want something that looks outstanding and performs the same way. As the kitchen has evolved over time so have the modern conveniences in kitchen sink designs.

Designers have been trying to keep up with the modern day kitchen trends. Nowadays people are looking for more than a stainless steel sink and a basic faucet. They want something that reflects their lifestyle and is aesthetically appealing. The marriage between the sink and the counter top should be seamless and natural.

Kitchen sinks come in a variety of materials and are mounted from the top of the counter or underneath the counter which looks great with a granite countertop. They come in different sizes, shapes, depths, and colors and are integrated with the countertop, cutting boards and many other accessories such as a liquid soap dispenser and a dedicated water filter spout.

When choosing your discount kitchen sink keep in mind a few things. How will your sink be installed? Will it be countertop or under mount? This will direct you in choosing the proper material and bowl configuration. Sometimes you may like the design of the kitchen sink but it may not have enough holes for your additional devices. If is it a stainless steel kitchen sink you can have an additional hole cut upon request when ordering.

You may want self-rimming sink that sits on the countertop and is the easiest to install but items can collect where the rim meets the countertop. If you choose the under mount method make sure you choose the right kind of sink. Although this method is more time consuming the benefits of clean up are better and is just looks better all the way around. These flush sinks are supported by metal strips or it is fused with the countertop at the shop.

Here are some common discount kitchen sinks to be aware of when shopping around.

Stainless steel sinks vary in range and price points so when selecting your sink choose one of thick quality. Check the gauge of the sink this tells you the thickness of the metal. A gauge with a low number means the metal is thick and as the number of the gauge goes higher the thinner the metal is. A high quality stainless steel sink will keep its luster and will have a gauge of 18 or lower. You can also tell a fine made sink because it will have sound deadening material on the underside for the garbage disposal and running water.

Other types of sinks include the following:

• Enameled Cast Iron 
• Composite Acrylic and Fiberglass 
• Integral Solid Surface 
• Decorative 
• Vitreous China 
• Brass and Copper 
• Antique 
• Bar 

Stainless Steel. Available in a wide range of prices, but you get what you pay for. A cheap sink is made of thin metal--you can feel it flex if you push on a bowl, or a garbage disposal may vibrate noisily; plus, it's easily scratched, has a finish that is hard to keep clean, and may make a drumming sound when you run water into it.

A higher quality sink is thick and firm (the thickness of stainless-steel sinks is measured by gauge; the lower the gauge, the thicker the material), and its finish will maintain its original appearance if you simply wipe it clean. 18-gauge or thicker is best.

Avoid a sink with a "mirror finish." It looks great at first, but water spots will be a constant headache, and scratches will soon mar its appearance.

Check the insulation on the underside of the bowls, which is intended to deaden the sound of running water. Foam insulation works better than sprayed-on.

Enameled Cast Iron. Has a smooth, elegant finish unmatched by any other sink material, and comes in many colors. The finish is very hard and rarely chips. Running water will hardly be heard, and hot water will cool slowly. The easiest of all materials to clean, just a wipe will usually restore the original luster. However, because of the weight, stronger countertops are called for.

Avoid enameled-steel sinks, which resemble enameled cast iron but do not perform well.

Composite Acrylic and Fiberglass. Not recommended because they soon lose their glossy finish and absorb stains readily. Newer composite sinks have a more durable finish.

"Quartz" sinks--composite sinks with a high quartz content--are especially durable and come in a variety of colors and configurations. They are an attractive, stylish alternative to more conventional materials, but even the best composite sink is susceptible to scratching.

Avoid using abrasive cleaners or allowing sand or dirt to get rubbed onto the surface. Running water will make a drumming sound, though not as loud as in a stainless-steel sink. Push down on a bowl to make sure the sink is firm; if it flexes, a garbage disposal may vibrate.

Integral Solid Surface. A solid-surface countertop can be ordered with a molded sink, either in the same color or a complementary hue. Because the color goes all the way through the material, this rimless, seamless sink can be scratched, but the scratches can be easily buffed out.

In addition to the standard sinks discussed here, consider a secondary sink to ease the task of food preparation and cleanup.

Decorative. An extra-pretty sink can be pricey and may be difficult to keep clean; however, it just may add that special touch that transforms a plain kitchen into a conversation piece.

Vitreous China. Made of molded clay fired at a very high temperature, these sinks commonly have ornamental designs and come in unusual shapes. Most do not have mounting holes, so the faucet must be installed in the countertop. The finish is easy to clean and nearly impossible to scratch or stain. It can, however, chip, so beware of bumping it with pots or pans.

Brass and Copper. Sinks made of these materials are usually for bathroom use, but may be appropriate as a secondary sink. They should be wiped dry after each use to prevent tarnishing.

Antique. An antique sink can lend a kitchen the pleasant ambience of a farmhouse. Many older sinks are composed of one large deep bowl with an attached drainer--an arrangement some people prefer--and tend to be quite sturdy.

Bar. Positioned near the cooktop or next to a cutting board, a bar sink can be used for cleaning vegetables or for other food preparation. It is most useful if it is deep enough to accommodate large pots.