kitchen sinks

seneca

hi there folks,

any opinions on the what to look for in a new kitchen sink? Is brand, thickness (if steel) or material an important issue? What do people think of those composite/granite-looking types?

I'm after an inset, single sink with drainer and as large a basin as possible. If going for steel, which finish is the best to go for - stainless, brushed or something called silk?

The more durable and scratch resistant the better? Ours is always getting bashed with pots and has loads of spills to contend with.

Sorry to go on, but even something as straightforward as a sink has it's difficulties.

Edinburghlass_2

Tell me about it, I've picked my units and thought picking a sink and tap would be easy but its not I decided on a white tap and was going for stainless steel sink in brushed finish but my fitter has now suggested white ceramic.

He did say if going for stainless steel that the thickness can be an important issue if that helps any!

Nile

I have a white 'plastic' type (in the kitchen) and a stainless steel sink (in the utility room).....................I would never chose white again.:rolleyes:

The stainless steel sink and drainer gleams after a quick wipe:cool:.............but the white 'plastic' sink looks grubby after scrubbing and soaking and scrubbing............and lots of elbow grease.:rolleyes:

seneca

yes, my sister has a ceramic and it cleans up just fine. However, I would agree completely about the plastic white ones. We had one ages ago and it stained terribly. Had to be scrubbed regularly with bleach. Got rid of it soon after, as it was so much hassel.

CKdesigner

Hi,

Hopefully you will find this information useful on materials and brands.

Stainless Steel brushed finish - Probably the best sink material, the most choice as virtually every sink manufacturer makes lots in lots of styles shapes and sizes. Will show every scratch for the first 6 to 12 months and look terrible until it all blends in as the sink ages. Use pretty much anything you like to clean it, bleach no problem.

Stainless Steel Linen and microtex - Same as above except the steel has a fine textured surface designed to completely disguise all the scratches, not so much choice of designs etc. I don't really like them as they always look dull.

Granite - Lots of colour choice, probably best to avoid darker colours as will show water marks. Always best to use proper granite sink cleaner and always avoid bleach.

Ceramic - Nice smooth shiny material generally in white and mostly Belfast/Butler type. Main problem though will chip if you're not careful and show pottery colour under glaze. Bleach is ok to use.

Brands:

Franke - probaly most well known brand they supply all of the different materials above, however, they don't actually make much of their range themselves, they buy in product from other makes and re-badge as their own.

Blanco - Quality German make also do all the materials above. My favourite brand by far.

Villroy & Boch - Only do ceramic, many other manufacturers re-badge V & B as their own.

Carron Pheonix - UK Make, I think do all the different materials, maybe not quite the quality of Blanco but are cheaper.

There are others but I think that covers the main players.

Thanks.

Egbert

We have a white sink - not sure what it is made of, feels like plastic but is speckled like a composite I think.
Ours cleans easily - every few weeks we put a bit of bleach in the bottom then fill to the top with water and leave to soak for a bit - usually while we go and do the supermarket scramble. The whole sink looks new straight away.

I havent had a steel sink but I would think they would get scratched up?

I would get one with a 2nd drainage point - we couldnt fit a 2nd small basin but the drainage board has a drain in it, so if the bowl has washing up water in, we can still tip liquids away - like that bit of coffee in the mug you just dont want in the washing up water.

sheslookinhot

You get what you pay for, sub £100 and its likely to be very thin. You would be ok around £200. They don't scratch easily

Edinburghlass_2

Bought my sink today in Focus. Kitchen fitter mentioned they had a white ceramic sink for around £130 so went to have a look but the only one there was £279. Checked the pallet and found one at the bottom which said reduced to £119 from £159 due to slight damage. Customer service guy checked the price on the same one stacked on top of it and it was through the till at £279 although he thought they had been reduced recently.

Checked the one that was supposedly damaged, couldn't find any damage at all and they said they would honour the price on the box and I got a further 10% off so paid £107 and delighted!!

http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/Sinks/Rustica-150-15-Bowl-Ceramic-Sink/invt/247479