HEART OF YOUR KITCHEN

No matter the size or style of your kitchen, sink selection will be one of the most important decisions you make as you plan a new kitchen or update your existing one.

With an abundance of new technology and materials the choices can be overwhelming!   To the average homeowner – a sink may look like – well – just a sink. But there’s a lot to consider.  While the kitchen is the heart of the home, it is probably safe to say the kitchen sink is the heart of the kitchen.  Unless you have a separate prep sink, your sink will serve in both the clean up and food preparation roles.  With this in mind, here’s what I look for as a kitchen designer:

1.       Quality- The adage “you get what you pay for” has never been as true as in this case.  Your kitchen sink is heavily used on a daily basis so good quality will certainly pay off.  Some choices include cast iron, natural stone and, the most popular, stainless steel.  If opting for a stainless steel finish the gauge, or thickness, of the steel is the most important consideration.  The lower the number the thicker the steel and the better the quality.  This means it will not ding or spot as easily as a lesser quality product.  If you opt for one of the other materials make sure to do your homework.  Speak to a professional and research the wealth of information available on the internet.  Always get the highest quality your budget will allow.

2.       Design- Next you will have to decide if you want a drop-in or undermount design.  The advantage of having your sink mounted underneath the countertop is that you can simply wipe your crumbs away without the lip of the sink being in the way.  This option can be used if you have a granite or solid surface countertop and will add a little to the price of your countertop and installation. Drop in sinks on the other hand are easier to install and replace. Blanco has just introduced what they’re calling MicroEdge technology. MicroEdge represents the first breakthrough in stainless steel sink design since the introduction of the undermount sink more than 10 years ago. MicroEdge (shown above) is a sleek drop-in overmount sink technology that creates the illusion of an expensive flush undermount installation. Achieve the flush look for less time and money as MicroEdge can be installed over virtually any counter material.  For more information, visit www.blancoamerica.com

3.       Configuration- The large single bowl sink is becoming more and more popular.  It is the most versatile when it comes to accommodating large pots and platters.  If you are washing dishes by hand however you’ll probably still prefer the double bowl variety.  Really think about how you use your sink and don’t be afraid to make a change to something that better suits your lifestyle.

            This is just a beginning but good enough to get you started and    thinking in the right direction. 
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