Kitchen Buying Guides

Sinks Buying Guide

In this kitchen sinks buying guide, we run through how to choose the right look and model to suit any interior style. Whether used as a striking fixture or a purely practical addition, selecting the right kind of fitting is vital for tying together a room. We also cover what you and your trade professional need to consider before choosing a sink and getting it fitted.

What are the different materials?

Ceramic

Classic in its appearance, ceramic has a timeless design that adds a handcrafted touch to any cleaning area. Made from premium fireclay, they are sustainable and will stand up to stains and scratches with ease. Thanks to a smooth and non-porous construction, it is also a hygienic option which is crucial for cleaning or when you are prepping food.

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Granite composite

Granite composites use a high-quality stone compound for a luxe feel and hard-wearing build. Often matt in appearance, these bowls offer a contemporary look which makes them a great addition for modern interiors. They are also resistant to scratches, stains, and heat ensuring they will be a long-lasting feature for years to come.

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Composite

Made with a robust compound of quartz and acrylic, composite fixtures can withstand high temperatures, which is great for cooking enthusiasts and spaces in constant use. Highly durable and resistant to stains, scratches, chips, cracks and chemical damage, these models offer an affordable alternative to granite composite styles.

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Hockley Super Matt White - Lamona Sink & Tap

Stainless steel

This finish has a broader selection of styles, from classic to modern, which is why it is a firm favourite with homeowners. The silver finish is versatile as it has a neutral appearance, which makes it easy to pair with other fixings for a cohesive look. The simple design and build also make it excellent for those on a budget.

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What are the different mount types?

Howdens Clerkenwell Super Matte Navy_Sink_002

Inset

Inset bowls are a go-to for many homeowners as they are simple for a trade professional to install. Compatible with many different surface materials, including laminate, inset bowls are a versatile option. This installation type is well-suited to models with an attached drainer, as the fixture sits on top of the surface.

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Undermount

Mounted beneath the supporting surface, undermount models sit below a top to create a sleek and streamlined look, allowing other features to take centre stage. It also means a non-porous material should be used, like stone or treated solid wood, as it will prevent water ingress, keeping surfaces and cabinetry free of damage.

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Belfast

A Belfast-mounted fixture sits proud of a work surface with the whole bowl completely visible. This allows it to become a focal aspect in a room, suiting traditional interiors or those featuring heritage elements. Like an undermount fitting, these Belfast models can only be fitted with a non-porous work surface to avoid water damage.

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What are the different bowl sizes?

Single bowl

A single bowl fixture is compact, making it a good choice for rooms with limited space. With one bowl, it offers a place to rinse veg or soak dishes and is a great choice for homes with a dishwashing feature. A single bowl is also an excellent addition to pared-back schemes, as its simple layout offers a minimal and uncluttered look.

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1.5 bowl

The addition of a second, half-sized bowl provides extra space to wash fresh food, empty glasses, or rinse off dirty crockery and cutlery when the other bowl is full. These models offer the benefits of a two-bowl setup without taking up as much room, making it appropriate for smaller homes or medium-sized families.

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Double bowl

Featuring two full-size bowls, this is the largest fitting available and is popular in bigger homes or large families. It provides generous amounts of space for preparing food and washing up while you cook. It also speeds up your household chores, as it can be used to keep clean and dirty water separate.

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What are the colour options?

Clerkenwell super matt slate grey sink and tap

Black

Black offers a striking and contemporary colour that makes for a bold feature in any room. The dark tone shows up fewer marks or stains over time, making it great for homes on the go. This also makes it an excellent finish for those who love to cook with ingredients that are prone to stains.

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White

With a clean appearance, white is a versatile option that blends in with a wide variety of designs. The white hue helps brighten a room and creates a more open and inviting space. Its pure tone can also be used to punctuate bolder colour schemes to ground a design.

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Silver

Often adopted by professional caterers, silver bowls have a timeless style that suits both contemporary and traditional schemes alike. The metallic finish is easily paired with other matching fittings for a cohesive look, while the silver hue will stand the test of time.

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Fairford Graphite Set Change Sink & Tap 1 RT1 copy

Grey

Offering a neutral palette, grey is a popular choice for homeowners looking to achieve a subtle and sophisticated area. Frequently used to soften a dark colour, it can also be paired with paler tones for a muted and airy look that adds a touch of class to any layout.

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Planning considerations

Tap holes

No cleaning area is complete without a tap fitting, and your choice will affect the bowl you need. Sink fixtures will have one or two holes pre-drilled to accommodate the taps. A single hole will suit a mixer, which combines hot and cold water. Two holes are best used for a pillar style, where hot and cold water are controlled separately.

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Greenwich Gloss Dove Grey Handleless Sink Detail

Combined packages

With so many options to choose from, getting the right pair for your cleaning area can be a time-consuming task. With our combined sink and tap packs, we do the hard work for you by finding the fixtures that complement each other. The sets also include waste and plumbing kits to match the sink size - crucial for a complete installation.

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Selecting surfaces

Like taps, your chosen sink has to work with the work surfaces, and you should consider different materials suiting specific fitting types. Non-porous materials, like solid stone, are water-resistant, which means you can pair them with undermount or Belfast models. Alternatively, laminate is a better material for supporting inset fittings.

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Sealing and securing

Making sure your installation is adequately sealed is vital to prevent water damage from affecting things like cabinetry, and items stowed inside. Moisture-resistant silicone will offer a tight seal while also preventing mould from growing on its surface. This helps to keep the area clean and hygienic, too.

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Protecting joins

As one of the wettest areas in a room, covering the join between the work surface and the wall is crucial in defending your space against leaks and safeguarding walls from damp. Using a backboard or upstand offers protection that can be matched with the broader design for a cohesive addition.

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Consider cabinetry

Specific cupboards are required for a sink fixture, as they offer extra room for the bowl and have a removable back panel to carry out maintenance. Opting for specialist sink cabinetry also makes for a cleaner installation over a standard unit, as the increased space means minimal work is needed inside to complete the fitting.

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