Kitchen Sinks & Faucets

Kitchen Sinks

Your kitchen sink will see a great deal of use. It’s where you prep food and cleanup after a meal.

Sinks come in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, copper, cast-iron, fireclay and porcelain, though the most popular choice is lightweight, affordable stainless steel.

Sink styles include:

• Undermount
• Apron-front
• Drop-in

An undermount is installed underneath the countertop; there’s no lip resting over the counter, so it’s easier to sweep crumbs into the sink. Apron-front sinks offer farmhouse style but require modifications to the cabinet base to fit their deep front facades. Drop-in models, which sit directly on the countertop, are the easiest to install, but they have a lip that can collect crumbs and dirt.

Faucets

Faucets consideration for your kitchen needs to mesh with your budget. You could spend several thousand for luxury brands and style. Your faucet takes a beating, so you’ll want quality valves and internal parts. You may pay a premium for the style and finish.

If you’re retrofitting a new faucet to an existing sink, measure the faucet hole spread; it will help you zero in on models that will work and eliminate those that won’t fit. Also take into account the type of spout—for instance, a high arc will make filling a pasta pot easier, but it’s likely to splash more than a straight spout.