HOW SHOULD WE CHOOSE A KITCHEN SINK?

Most often a client comes to the shop with already made plan of the kitchen, where a kitchen sink has its own place. In this case a choice of sinks lessens. Still there are variants, but to my mind as a specialist that a plan should be started with a sink itself, since you spend about 60 per cent of your time in the kitchen at the sink. If you begin planning your kitchen with the choice of a sink, then this important and necessary thing will become the most comfortable for usage and more functional.

The best size of a cupboard is 60 cm, then it is possible to use either large or small sink. The most kitchens in Latvia have enough room for a cupboard with the size of 45 cm only. If you plan to spend much time in the kitchen, I would recommend you to choose a cupboard with a size of 80 cm, where 2 sinks can be installed.

If a person likes cooking, they need rather much space for the process. Foodstuffs should be washed, peeled or defrosted. Dishes should be washed. That is why it is better to divide all the processes into two different sinks. A small sink is used in the same way as a double one, though it is better to use it for foodstuff washing only for not to overload a large sink.

Stone kitchen worktops can be called as all-purpose because they allow to install any kind of a sink. Actually there are three types of sink installation, such as top mount, drop-in and undermount sinks. The undermount sink is considered to be the most comfortable in appliance, because you can easily flick away crumbs straight into the sink with one movement. The drop-in sink is like the top mount one, the former is dropped in the stone worktop, and it seems and is on the one level with the worktop. As to the top mount, it can be installed in the easiest way, still it has rimming that complicates cleaning such a sink.

The company FRANKE offers stainless steel sinks, stoneware – fragranite sinks, ceramic sinks, and one of the latest materials Tectonite. Each has its pluses and minuses. Stainless steel sink has its classical value that will always serve you nicely, furthermore it will be cleaned easily. The only minus - water drops leave traces of limestone.

Fragranite sinks are in favour due to their wide range of colours, and these traces from water drops are almost unseen. They will serve you as long as stainless steel sinks on conditions of correct cleaning, refuse from very aggressive household chemicals. They are resistant to food colouring.

Ceramics is a comparably new material for kitchen sinks in Latvia.The main plus is its easy in usage and cleaning. Such sinks do not absorb some food traces, their tops are hygienic. The only minus is their high price.

Tectonite is a sink made of glass fiber covered with 0.2 mm of durable facing strength. This new technology ensures greater resistancy to heat, stains, easy treatment. Tectonite does not have any minuses at all. The only reason why people hesitate to apply Tectonite sinks is their awareness to a new material. But I suppose that they will change their attitude in course of time. Since I myself use Tectonite sink for two and a half years and it is still as new as at the very beginning!

The choice is dependent on the material of a kitchen worktop. It is advisable to begin with the choice of a kitchen worktop, and later to find the most matchable tone of a sink. Black and beige are the most favourable colours among our clients. Probably black is popular because the stove and other kitchen equipment are black which looks like a complect. Beige is mostly chosen for its practicality – all dirty spots are less noticeable. Usually professional sinks are not produced in all possible colours, though the company FRANKE presents a rather wide range of colours, so one can find the most appropriate variant. Some specially choose a tone of the sink in contrast to the kitchen worktop which makes their kitchen a little bit spirited.

First of all you have to trust your designer of kitchens, their experience and practical knowledge. They will immediately see both its look and how functional the offered variant will be. The most widespread mistake is a sink purchase of a wrong size which causes additional reinstallation of kitchen furniture and worktop.

If you have not find a kitchen designer yet, we recommend to visit one of the company FRANKE places of sale, where a shop assistant consults you on the best solution.

If you did not find the answer to your special question, I advise you to address stone finishing salon of ‘VIA’ Ltd (SIA "VIA" akmens apstrādes salonu), where you definitely obtain a professional consultation, as well as a qualified realization of your project!

To find an idea you could enter Franke 2016/2017 e-catalogue on the site of the company FRANKE here - FRANKE-KATALOGS