HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST KITCHEN SINK?
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
When choosing the right and only material for your kitchen worktop in our warehouse, we mostly encounter customer confusion in the wide range of sink offers and the question - how to choose the right and best kitchen sink? Having collected all the things that interest our customers, we decided that these questions can best be answered by none other than FRANKE representative in Latvia, Normunds Dambis .
How do people usually choose a kitchen sink?
Most often, the customer comes to the store with a ready-made kitchen plan, where the sink location is marked. In this case, the customer is limited in the range of sink choices. You can also do this, but as a sink specialist, I still think that you should start with the sink itself, because 60% of the time spent in the kitchen is directly related to using the sink. If kitchen planning starts with choosing the sink, then this important functional area of the kitchen is much more convenient to use and becomes more functional in a smaller space.
What would be the optimal size for a sink cabinet?
The most optimal cabinet size would be 60 cm, because then it is possible to use a sink with a large and small bowl. However, in the reality of Latvia, most kitchens have enough space for a 45 cm sink cabinet. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, then I would recommend that you choose an 80 cm sink cabinet, in which you can place 2 full sink bowls.
Why are 2 large sink bowls needed in the kitchen? And what is the functionality of the small sink bowl?
If the kitchen owner or hostess loves to cook, then the cooking process usually takes up a lot of space and a sink is needed for rinsing products, as well as, for example, peeling potatoes, defrosting products or, for example, quickly rinsing dishes. It is ideal if such processes can be divided into two different sinks. The small sink is usually used in much the same way as a double sink, but in this case it serves more for rinsing products, so as not to clutter up the large sink bowl.
What are the types of sink installation?
Stone kitchen countertops are the most versatile, as they can accommodate all possible types of sinks. There are 3 types of sink installation available – top-mounted sinks, flush-mounted sinks and built-in sinks. The most convenient to use is the built-in sink, because if you want to clean the countertop – when sweeping food crumbs, you can sweep them into the sink with a light hand and they will not get caught anywhere. The flush-mounted sink is similar to the top-mounted sink, only the edge of the sink is milled into the stone surface and visually it will look and be flush with the countertop. Top-mounted sinks are the easiest to install into the countertop, however, they leave an edge that can interfere with the maintenance process.
What sink material is best to choose?
The FRANKE range includes stainless steel sinks, stoneware sinks – fragranite sinks, ceramic sinks and the latest of the latest materials is Tectonite. Each of these materials has its pros and cons. A stainless steel sink is a classic, timeless value that will always serve you well and is easy to maintain. The only downside is that stainless steel sinks are more likely to show water droplets, which when dried leave limescale deposits.
Fragranite sinks are popular because of their wide range of colors and because they are much less visible from water marks. With proper care, without using very aggressive household chemicals, a Fragranite sink will last you as long as a stainless steel sink. It is resistant to food dyes.
Ceramic is a relatively new material for kitchen sinks in Latvia. Easy use and care are the main advantages of a ceramic sink. It will not absorb food residue and the surface is very hygienic. The only downside is its relatively high price.
Tectonite is a fiberglass sink that is coated with a 0.2 mm super high-strength layer. This new technology provides high resistance to heat, stains and is easy to care for. Tectonite has no disadvantages in principle, the only reason why people are afraid to use Tectonite sinks is the fear of a new material, but I think that will change over time, because I have been using a Tectonite sink for 2.5 years and it still looks like new!
What color to choose?
This choice is very dependent on the material of the kitchen worktop. The first thing to do is to start with the choice of the worktop and then, in parallel with this process, find the closest shade of the sink material. The most popular sink colors that customers choose are black and beige. Black is mostly popular because the electric hob and other kitchen appliances are black and then visually it looks like a coordinated set. Beige is chosen because it is one of the most practical material shades, on which stains and dirt, food crumbs, etc. are least visible. Professionally produced sinks are not produced in all possible shades, but FRANKE has a fairly wide range of shades, so it is possible to find the most suitable one for yourself. Many choose the shade of the sink in contrast with the kitchen worktop, which visually gives the kitchen a "sting".
What are the most common mistakes when choosing a sink?
First, trust the kitchen designer, as they have extensive experience and practical knowledge of how the kitchen looks after installation and how optimal it is in use. The most common mistake is purchasing an inappropriately sized sink, which causes additional problems both in furniture assembly and in installing the worktop.
If you do not have your own kitchen designer, we recommend that you visit one of the FRANKE stores, where the salesperson will recommend the best solution for you.
If you did not find the answer to your questions here, then I recommend visiting the SIA "VIA" stone processing salon, where you will be provided with both professional consultation and high-quality implementation of your project!
You can view the Franke 2016/2017 e-catalog for ideas here - FRANKE-CATALOG
