Master the Art of Choosing the Right Sink for Your Next Project by Tony Calvert, Karran Kitchen Sinks & Faucets
With such a wide array of kitchen sinks in today’s
include granite and quartz, the better ones of which have an
marketplace, it’s sometimes hard to decide which color works
80/20 stone-to-resin ratio, giving the sink an alluring look and
best and what materials are most suitable for your customers’
enduring finish.
style, size and design considerations. The sink is regarded
Fireclay and cast iron sinks have high thermal, scratch and
as the kitchen’s focal point and is one of the most frequently
stain resistance. They are popular for their durability and are
used fixtures in the home. They come in a variety of materials
used in many traditional kitchen designs. They are heavier and
and styles. Master the art of choosing the right sink for your
less shock-absorbent than other sink materials, and the finish
kitchen projects by understanding the options on the market
on these sinks can chip.
that reflect your clients’ tastes and needs.
Choosing the Right Installation
What’s in a Sink?
There are several different types of sink installations, and
The most popular kitchen sink materials include stainless
this could determine which sink your customer chooses.
steel, composite (granite or quartz), cast iron and fireclay. Each
Without going into much detail about how to install sinks,
material has its own characteristics, and this should help in the
here’s an encapsulation of what you need to know about each
decision-making process.
type of available installation.
Stainless steel is sturdy yet lightweight, stain-resistant and easy to maintain. However, it can be prone to scratching
Overmount, top mount, or drop-in sinks are the most common type of
or denting.
sink. These are
Some stainless
inset into a cut-out
steel sinks have
hole, overlapping
scratch-resistant
the countertop.
properties and
Undermount sinks are
come in different
fitted underneath the
gauge thicknesses.
countertop. This can
Some could even have a textured surface finish to increase the
save counter space and
lifetime of the sink.
allow for easier cleaning
Composite and resin-based sinks are available in the largest
of the surface, but they
range of colors, shapes and finishes. They are generally heat-,
require the countertop
scratch- and shock-resistant and easy to maintain. Some of the
cut-out holes to be
more popular high-end materials for stone composite sinks
carefully measured and
44 • Vol. 16 / Issue 4 • International Surface Fabricators Association
