Kitchen Sinks

Still choosing the right kitchen sink? These FAQs cover the main things to check before you buy, from the number of bowls, size and material to fitting, wastes and taps. For a more detailed comparison, read our kitchen sink buying guide.

 

What type of kitchen sink should I choose?

First decide how many bowls you need, then check how the kitchen sink fits into your worktop. A single bowl sink gives you one main washing area, while a 1.5 bowl sink adds a smaller bowl for rinsing food or pouring away water while the main bowl is in use. A double bowl sink gives you two separate areas for washing, rinsing or preparing food.

You will also need a fitting type that suits your worktop and cabinet. Inset sinks sit in a cut-out with the rim resting on the worktop and work with most worktop materials. Undermount sinks fit beneath the worktop and usually need a suitable solid worktop, such as quartz, granite or solid surface composite. Belfast and Butler sinks have an exposed front and require a correctly sized cabinet with enough support for the sink.

 

Are all kitchen sinks a standard size?

No, kitchen sinks can vary quite considerably in size. For example, even single bowl sinks range from compact models to larger designs.

When choosing a kitchen sink, check its full width, front-to-back depth, bowl dimensions and minimum cabinet size, as two sinks with similar overall measurements may offer different amounts of usable bowl space.

You should also allow enough room beneath the sink for the bowl, waste and pipework. If it has a drainer, check which side it sits on and how much worktop space the whole sink will use. When replacing a sink, measure the existing cut-out rather than relying on the old sink's overall dimensions.

 

Which kitchen sink material should I choose?

The right material depends on the look you want and the type of everyday wear your sink needs to handle. The most common options are:

• Stainless steel sinks: Durable, relatively light and easy to clean, although they can scratch, dent or show water marks.
• Ceramic sinks: Have a smooth surface that resists everyday stains and heat, but they are heavy and may chip if struck by hard cookware.
• Granite composite and other composite sinks: Hard-wearing and available in a range of colours, although darker finishes may show limescale more clearly.

Check the specifications and care instructions for the individual sink, as materials, finishes and resistance levels vary between products.

 

Do kitchen sinks come with wastes and fittings?

Not always. Some kitchen sinks include a waste, overflow or fixing clips, while others are supplied as the sink only. A 1.5 bowl or double bowl sink may also need a suitable plumbing kit.

 

Can I use any kitchen tap with any sink?

No. Your kitchen tap needs to suit the sink's tap hole setup, the space available and your home's water pressure. Start by checking whether the sink has a suitable tap hole or whether the tap will need to be fitted through the worktop.

Next, compare the tap's dimensions with the sink. Leave enough room behind the bowl for the tap and its handles to work, and check that the spout reaches far enough into the bowl without directing water too close to the edge. If you choose a pull out tap, make sure there is also enough space beneath the sink for the hose to move freely.

Finally, check the tap's minimum water pressure requirement against your home's plumbing system. Once you have found a compatible tap, our guide to fitting a kitchen tap explains the tools, connections and checks involved in installing it.

 

Is it easy to replace a kitchen sink?

Replacing a kitchen sink can be an easy task, especially if your new sink is the same type and size as the one that is being replaced. If you can't use your existing water supply pipes or waste outlet, or are looking to replace a small sink with a much larger option, then installing a kitchen sink can become a more difficult task.