There are three main types of kitchen sinks: drop-in sinks, undermount sinks and farmhouse sinks. These types describe how the sink is mounted and installed. We'll cover these mounting styles below, as well as other less common styles and configurations.
Stainless steel is the single most popular material used in kitchen sinks.
You can find undermount kitchen sinks in a variety of shapes and configurations that will work in both large and small kitchens. There are three main configurations: single, double and triple basin options. Undermount Single Kitchen Sink – A single bowl undermount kitchen sink features one large basin.
As discussed above, the basic difference between a sink and a wash basin lies in their area of installation or application. The sinks are mostly used in kitchens and pantries and the basins are used in toilets and washrooms.
A basin is a depression, or dip, in the Earth's surface. Basins are shaped like bowls, with sides higher than the bottom.
Since undermount sinks to not have anything above the counter to help carry their weight, they need more support. They also need more solid countertops that don't suffer easily from water damage. This often makes them a more expensive sink than other options and also makes installation more difficult.
Some say drop-in is generally the best option because it's easier to access all parts of the sink for cleaning. However, both types of sinks tend to accumulate grime along the caulk line where the sink meets the counter. Where an undermount sink rim and counter meet, the caulked gap can be trickier to clean.
There are a ton of options, from mounting style to material, color, number of bowls, and size. To help you narrow it down, here are the five main kitchen sink styles—top mount, undermount, flush mount, integrated, and farmhouse—and the pros and cons of each.
A stainless steel sink is the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen sink as they are resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. What's more, they are also some of the most versatile sinks coming in a variety of styles and sizes meaning they fit in most kitchens easily no matter the size or style.
Porcelain, ceramic and fireclay kitchen sinks have extremely low water absorption characteristics (making them easy to keep clean on a regular basis).
Best for: Affordability, durability, and low maintenance. The most common option for a kitchen sink material is stainless steel. This material is well-known for its water-resistance, durability, and scratch-resistance, and is also often recognized for superior rust-resistance and antimicrobial properties.
Although the Belfast sink is the more popular style now, the Butler sink actually came first. It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, popularised and primarily used by butlers - who were often tasked with cleaning larger household items, and needed a larger, deep sink to do that.
An increasingly popular alternative to a classic ceramic or stainless steel sink, a natural stone sink brings warmth and character to kitchen trends. Natural materials are a key tenet of 'soft' minimalism, the latest wave of the trend synonymous with calming, clutter-free spaces.
Opting for a large white ceramic sink has grown in popularity over the years. These sinks are referred to as Butler and Belfast sinks and commonly come under the Farmhouse sink umbrella.
Overall, which is better: Undermount or Drop-in Sinks? In general, which sink type is best for you will come down to preference. Drop-in sinks represent a sink type that is affordable, flexible, and easy to install. But drop-in sinks do not have much in the way of resale value and are aesthetically outdated.
Drop-in kitchen sinks (or top-mount, self-rimming sinks) are set into a hole cut into the countertop and are the easiest to install. Drop-in sinks sit on top of the counter cabinet and have a raised, rounded edge to help keep water and debris inside the sink.
A common issue with the undermount design is that they can be prone to sagging over time. When the sink starts pulling away from the countertop, leaving a gap, it needs to be hiked back up and secured in place. Undermount sinks work best with solid granite, marble, or concrete counters.
Marble and granite
In this case, they are ideal for undermount sinks because they also happen to be durable. The fact that they are porous also helps in helping the adhesives bind more firmly with the stones. Despite what most people think, marble is not a “soft” stone.
When you have a negative reveal, a portion of the countertop underside is exposed to splashing water. When you use a porous material, water can seep through and the sink area can become a breeding ground for mold.
The lack of a visible lip with an undermount sink makes it quite a bit easier to clean your counters; you can sweep any debris from your counters right into the sink. However, top mount sinks are the simplest of the two types of sink to keep clean themselves.
The extreme terrain and steep glades make A-Basin a favorite among experienced skiers. However, beginners can also enjoy the ski area, with 7% green and 20% blue trails.
A valley is a depression on the Earth's surface surrounded by mountains and hills. A basin is also a depression on the Earth's surface but is surrounded by elevated landforms other than mountains and hills.
The words sink and basin are often used interchangeably, however, there are differences between the two. Technically, the word sink refers to a sanitary appliance used to wash things, such as hands, dishes and so on, that consists of: A basin, which is a bowl that contains the water.