The Advantages of Corner Kitchen Sinks
November 3, 2008
If your kitchen is U-shaped or L-shaped, a corner kitchen sink is likely to increase your efficiency as it would be equidistant from your working platforms. A corner kitchen sink may be in the form of a round bowl, a rectangle, a square or even in a triangular form. You can opt for a custom-made sink made out of granite, stainless steel or copper to be a perfect fit for the kitchen corner of your choice.
A center-fit kitchen sink is preferred when your kitchen is galley-shaped. The central idea behind choosing the position of a sink is to make it most convenient for you to work. Remember, the sink plays a central role in all your kitchen activities, from the preparation of food to cleaning up after the meal.
A corner kitchen sink does not hinder movement within the floor area and allows you to work on the platform of the kitchen with easy access to the sink from either side. With manufacturers offering custom-made sinks, you have the freedom to decide on the number and shape of bowls, holes for faucets and placement of faucets (mounted on the sink or on the wall).
How to Choose Kitchen Sink Faucets
November 1, 2008
Choosing appropriate faucets for your kitchen sink is as important as choosing the shape and size of the bowl. Faucets come in all shapes and sizes. Avoid a tiny faucet on a big, bold sink, and vice-versa. Be sure that the faucet you have chosen directs water into the center of the bowl. Also, make sure your new faucet matches the correct hole drillings in your sink.
Faucets come with a one or two handles. With one handle, you have the convenience of controlling water temperature and volume with just one hand. Two-handled faucets offer more styles and spout designs. Look for a long-lasting, low maintenance finish to complement your decor.
The most important aspect to look for in a faucet is its durability — how long it will last without dripping? Faucets should perform for a long time and be drip-free for life.
A faucet must have anti-scald features such as hot-limit safety stops, pressure-balancing valves to protect users from drastic temperature changes and thermostatic valves that allow users to select a favorite temperature on an easy-to-read dial.
The Benefits of Granite Kitchen Sinks
October 30, 2008
If you are looking for durability and easy-to-maintain features in your kitchen sink, then granite is the choice for you. Granite composite sinks resist the rigors of everyday life such as denting, cutting, chipping and staining.
Granite kitchen sinks are made of ultra durable granite composite material and virtually fade proof and solid color throughout. The longwearing, non-porous, non-absorbent granite surface resists scratching, chipping and staining and is heat resistant up to 535 degrees Fahrenheit.
Extremely high price tags are attached to these types of sinks, which are the most scratch resilient sinks that can be purchased today. This durability can be attributed to the compactness of rock particles that coat the surface. As is always the case with quartz composite, this material is not available in a shiny finish.
Granite kitchen sinks, with practical large bowls, come in various colors, including metallic colors.
There are single and double bowl versions of these kitchen sinks.
Bowls are available in different depths. Extra-deep bowls are great for soaking larger pots and roasters, but reduce the amount of space under your counter. Bowl depths range from 5" to 12".
The Hunt for Vintage Kitchen Sinks
October 28, 2008
Want to relive the excitement of California’s gold rush of the mid 19th century? Or the grandeur of the Victorian age? If your answer is a ‘Yes’, try installing an antique sink in your kitchen and mull over the glorious past of your ancestors while eating your meal.
Obtaining a real antique or vintage kitchen sink is not going to be easy. The kitchen sink from the pages of the history book is likely to have developed cracks or chinks and the one you are lucky to chance upon may not have the necessary accessories like faucets to make it workable in today’s kitchen.
The kitchen sinks of the mid 19th or early 20th century were made of marble, porcelain, fireclay or copper. They mostly came from Continental Europe ? France and Italy.
Kitchen sinks from the early 20th century are quite difficult to find in useable original condition. This helps drive the price up.
To take one example, a classic 1900 model of marble sink, manufactured in Chicago by the Wolff Mfg. Co, which the Los Angeles-based Vintage Plumbing has put up for sale, has a 4′ tall heavy French plate beveled mirror back splash. It has full original mixer hardware and complete supply and drain hardware below sink. It has nickel plated brass cabriole legs and carved soap dish in the slab drains into the basin. The store has priced it at $8,900.
The Advantages of Copper Kitchen Sinks
October 26, 2008
If you want a touch of class and art in your kitchen, you might consider choosing a copper sink. Copper sinks are crafted from first quality, super-thick copper, hand-hammered and formed into a charming early American style.
Each sink is individually made. Hence, it is possible to have a custom-made sink for your kitchen. The hammered kitchen copper sink is a beautiful piece of art.
Because each piece is made from a copper sheet by an artisan his hammer footprint is very visible. The reddish/oxidated texture is characteristic of natural copper when it is cooled down from red-hot temperature using cold water.
Copper sinks are made of heavy, solid copper and come in natural copper patinas of ‘Weathered Copper’ or in ‘Dark Bronze’ copper. Copper sinks may have a hand hammered surface and some of them come with polished and satin nickel finish. The dark farm sinks have a warm, dark brown finish.
Extra thick casting will easily weather a lifetime of use while absorbing noise and deflecting scratches and dings. Copper sinks are extremely resistant to stains and discoloration. They are called ‘live’ sinks, because their patina ages and improves with time. Moreover, copper is known to keep bacteria at bay, providing a healthier environment.
The Benefits of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
October 24, 2008
Stainless steel has emerged as the most popular choice of materials for new sink installations because of its low cost, light weight, and almost unbreakable construction. Stainless steel sinks are made in many sizes and several thicknesses, measured in gauge.
The gauge of the stainless steel is the thickness of the stainless steel sink. The most common gauges are 18 and 20. The higher the number gauge, the thinner the steel. Eighteen is the most recommended gauge for sinks.
Stainless steel kitchen sinks are easy to clean and will stay looking newer for longer when cared for properly. You won’t have to worry about leaving lemons in the sink overnight or cranberry stains, but it can become dull and scratched. It is best to put a plastic or rubber mat in the sink to protect it from scratches. A mat will protect the shiny surface and keep it looking new longer.
When choosing a kitchen sink, there are many different decisions that need to be made. Even the simplest of sinks are available in different styles and colors. The first consideration is the size. Make sure that your sink fits. Most kitchen cabinets are standard 24″” measurement front to back.
A Guide to Kitchen Sinks
October 23, 2008
In any household, a kitchen sink is one of the central fixtures and always sees plenty of action. It is used both for preparing food and for cleaning up after every meal. It can add to or take away from the overall effect of your kitchen’s design. Durability and attractiveness are both important qualities in kitchen sinks.
More than simply functional necessities, sinks now offer more design appeal, softer lines, and a variety of finishes. Every homemaker faces the challenge of choosing the right sink for the kitchen, and the kitchen sink provides the finishing touch to any new kitchen project.
Modern sinks are not just made of a simple faucet and bowl. They come in multiple bowls of various sizes and shapes and are designed with integral drainers, cutting boards, soap dispensers, instant hot water dispensers, purified water taps, sprayers and more.
Sinks are also made of stainless steel, enameled metal, solid surfacing materials and quartz composites, and of course the traditional porcelain.
There is a great amount to consider when choosing a kitchen sink. Size, in width and depth, is of course the biggest choice you will make when choosing a sink to fit your kitchen. You also have a choice of materials used in making the sink - stainless steel, granite or copper.
The Cost of Granite Countertops
October 21, 2008
The beauty, hardness and utility of granite makes it a highly desirable material for countertops in home design. In addition to its natural strength, granite is a beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. Though the cost to add granite countertops to any new kitchen or remodel can be quite high, they remain the premiere choice in many new and remodeled homes.
The price of granite countertops ranges from $60 to $120 a square foot, which may or may not include the cost of installation. Discount granite can be found for as little as $30 per foot, not including installation. The premium cost is not in the stone itself, but rather in the costs related to transportation and installation.
The stone industry remains unregulated, which can make it confusing. Every entity that handles the granite, from the quarry to the supplier and fabricator, can establish their own pricing based on the demand in the local market. Dealers who provide full service, so that a homeowner doesn’t have to do the shopping or planning, will add a markup of up to 50%.
Installing Granite Countertops
October 19, 2008
Granite is not only the hardest material available for countertops; it’s also the most expensive, with prices starting at $60 a square foot. Though adding granite countertops to any kitchen can be quite costly, they remain the premiere choice in many new and remodeled homes. The beauty and warmth offer an aesthetic appeal that can’t be found in other countertop materials.
Granite does cost more than other countertop materials, with the majority of the price coming from labor costs. Installing granite countertops is not a project for the do-it-yourself homeowner, seeking to save money on installation costs. Installation must be left to the professionals who have the right training and equipment. However, a homeowner can save money on some of the preliminary preparation and demolition work. Before the process of installing granite countertops can begin, range tops, the sink and the old countertops must be thoroughly removed. The remainder of the installation process must be left to the professionals.
Granite Countertop Colors
October 17, 2008
Granite, like marble and other stones, is as old as the earth. Granite is the second hardest stone (diamond being the first) and is created from molten rock. It is found world wide, in countries such as Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. In addition to its strength, granite is a very beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. A frequent choice of designers for decades, granite countertops have now become popular with the public. There are literally hundreds of granite countertop colors including whites, browns, reds, greens, blues and black. The variations of the minerals in each base color creates hundreds more possible variations on the basic colors.
Home remodelers and home builders have experienced an explosion in the demand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal in home design. The natural beauty found in granite countertop colors complement any most tone of wood or style of cabinetry from rustic country to more contemporary styles.
