The Kitchen Blog

Kitchen faucets with pull-out/pull-down spray will help you with washing big utensils, rinsing vegetables and cleaning up your sink. According to Delta Faucet Company, 70% of consumers prefer a pull-out or pull-down kitchen faucet when investing more than $100 in their purchase.

“Given this trend, it’s no surprise that pull-out and pull-down kitchen faucets are one of the fastest growing faucet categories,” says Brian Jones, senior product development manager, kitchen solutions, Delta Faucet Company. “Easy-to-use pull-outs and pull-downs offer enhanced functionality in the kitchen.”

Faucets with pull-out or pull-down spray will be your best option if you think you will use the spray frequently and you wish to change the water jet quickly from normal to spray and vice versa. You have to be able to reach all areas of your sink with it.

More about kitchen faucets and their accessories here.

The selection of your kitchen sink will depend on…

• the size of the cabinet underneath your sink.
• the size of your countertop (whether it has backsplash or not).
• the material of your countertop.
• the way you will use your sink.
• your preferences.
• how much you can afford.

Characteristics of kitchen sinks

Sinks may have different shapes. For example, rectangular, square, round, oval, other shapes for a more decorative look; for example, an L-shape for corner mounting, or ones that protrude a little further out than the cabinet at the front.

According to the number of basins, kitchen sinks may be…

1. Single-basin: this is a smaller sink. If you have a kitchen island, you might like to mount a single-basin sink in it, auxiliary to your main sink. If you have a dishwasher, you can rinse the dishes in this sink before putting them in the appliance.

If its basin is fairly large and deep (10 or 12 inches (25-30 cm) in depth) this sink may be more comfortable for you to wash large utensils in than a standard sink with two identical basins.

2. Double-basin: a sink of standard 33 inches (84 cm) length to 22 inches (56 cm) width that fits perfectly to the standard sink cabinet - 36 inches (91 cm) length to 24 inches (61 cm) width. Its basins are most often identical.

It’s a good selection for a sink if you wash your dishes manually; you wash them in one of the basins and rinse them in the other one. If one of the basins is bigger and deeper, it will be easier for you to wash large utensils, such as pots and pans.

3. Triple-basin: this kitchen sink is bigger. You can use one of the basins to wash the dishes and the other one to rinse them. Use the third one (usually smaller) to wash vegetables or install a garbage disposal unit in it.

Kitchen sinks materials

The materials that follow are popular variants for such sinks; but you can see sinks from other materials as well, such as enameled steel, porcelain, fireclay, brass, copper, etc.

1. Stainless steel

A functional material. With it, your sink and countertop may be a whole unit, without any joints. This facilitates cleaning and gives your sink a unified look. Objects, such as dishes and glasses, dropped in a stainless steel sink are less likely to break.

Other qualities…

• durable, non-breakable, heat-resistant
• neutral color: the metal nuance complements most colors
• easy to service: this is the choice for sinks in public establishments

Disadvantages…

• it is easy to scratch
• it is noisy during work
• it may dent

2. Enameled cast iron

Usually a more expensive material. It represents a cast-iron base with enameled finish. Here are some of its properties…

• durable, heat-resistant
• various colors are available
• dampens noise and vibrations of the sink

Disadvantages…

• breakable
• warm water in the sink basin loses its heat rapidly
• it is more likely that fallen objects will break

3. Solid surface

Synthetic material. As with stainless steel, your sink and countertop can consist of a single unit.

Other properties…

• durable, easy to service
• various colors are available
• you can remove minor damage (scratches, burns…)

Disadvantages…

• vulnerable to heat
• easily scratched

4. Composite

Such a sink is made from natural materials such as quartz, granite, etc. together with synthetics. The color is the same over the entire area and thickness of the kitchen sink. Hence, it will be more difficult to notice any faults.

Other properties…

• different colors are available
• easy to service
• durable, non-breakable, heat- and stain-resistant

Kitchen sink installation

You may install your sink in a number of ways…

1. As a self-rimming sink: here, your sink overlaps the countertop. It’s good for your countertop to be made from a smooth material (laminate, natural stone…), thus allowing the sink to align itself perfectly with the countertop. The disadvantage here is that you will find it more difficult to clean around the sink. With time it may also gather dirt, where your sink joins the countertop.

With this kind of installation, your faucet will usually be mounted in the sink itself.

2. As an undermount sink: here, your countertop overlaps the sink. In this case, no joints with the sink are seen on the countertop, giving an appearance of simplicity. It is easy to clean around such a sink; you can wipe waste straight from the countertop to the sink. Bear in mind that, in this case, your countertop will be exposed to water from the side as well. If it is made from laminate it may spoil.

With this kind of installation, your faucet will be mounted in the countertop.

3. As a tile-in sink: here, your sink is on the level of the countertop. If your countertop is tiled, this type of sink installation is especially convenient. Sinks are flat at the ends, and their edges are at right angles. Thus they fit well to the tiles.

Again, it will be easy to clean the countertop, wiping in the direction of the sink. However, the grout between the tiles, and between the sink and the countertop, will gather dirt with time.

4. As an integral sink: as I mentioned above, your sink and countertop here are a single unit, without any joints. For such a sink and countertop you need such materials as…

• stainless steel
• solid surface
• concrete…

5. You can also mount a sink in the wall.

To be sure of the quality of your kitchen sink installation, I recommend that you employ the services of a professional. Click here to submit your project and receive free estimates from highly rated local, licensed contractors within 48 hours with no obligation.

Accessories to kitchen sinks

With these accessories, usually bought separately, you will make your sink more functional. Here are some examples…

• Bottom basin rack: protecting the inner part of the basin from wearing out
• Dish rack: for washed dishes, utensils and other belongings
• Cutting board: for vegetables, for example. Some boards have also a small colander for washing/rinsing these foods.
• Garbage disposal: for grinding large or hard remnants of food before they go to the drain
• Colander: for washing/rinsing different foods (fruits, vegetables…)

Conclusion

1. When selecting the design of your kitchen sink (color, shape…) take into account the design of your countertop. It is good for them to complement one another.

2. When selecting kitchen sinks from stainless steel, pay attention to its thickness. The thicker the sink, the higher the quality. For example, an 18 gauge or lower one is thicker than a 22/23 gauge, making it a better choice for a sink. A thicker sink is quieter, more dent-resistant and maintains the water temperature in the basins for a longer time.

3. Sinks that have bigger and deeper basins, a flat bottom and vertical walls make it more comfortable for you to work. The area is larger, your utensils will lie well on the bottom and the water jet won’t splash outside.

4. Look for kitchen sinks with special technologies on the underside. These technologies dampen noise, protect against condensation and help to control the water temperature in the basin.

5. Sinks cost from less than $100 to more than $1000, depending on the size, the materials and their properties, such as we are discussing now.

Ganka Vasileva is the owner of http://www.helpful-kitchen-tips.com, a website containing useful information about the kitchen; about the equipment of this greatly-used room in our home that occupies a special place in our lives. Buying guides for kitchen cutlery, small appliances, cookware & bakeware, kitchen furniture, storage & organization, plumbing, etc.

What kind of faucet will work best for you depends on your specific needs. You may wish to have different kitchen faucets for various uses, or you may want to add particular accessories to your faucet.

Special features of kitchen faucets

Types of handle

Some faucets have only one handle, either fixed to the spout or standing apart from it. With these faucets you can quickly and easily control the flow of water and its temperature with one hand. This is especially useful when your hands are full or dirty.

Other kitchen faucets have two handles: one for cold water and the other for hot. The existence of two handles and two flows of water enables you to adjust the water temperature more precisely. More designs are available for two-handled faucets, as well.

If the handles have the shape of a lever or cross, you will be able to grasp and turn them more easily; levers are especially suitable for people with various physical disabilities.

Types of spout

The spouts of the kitchen faucets may be long, curved, straight, short, etc. Look for a faucet where the spout directs the water to the center of the basin of your sink.

If you will be washing large pots or pans, choose a faucet with a big spout that you can turn aside, with a high arch; for example, one about 14 inches (36 cm) long. Then it will be easy to put your large kitchen utensils in the sink and remove them after washing. Again choose a faucet with a big spout if your sink is big or you have several basins. Then the spout will cover as much of the sink as possible.

There is also one special spout - also known as a pot filler. You install it on the wall near the range to fill large pots with water when you cook. This saves you from having to carry these heavy utensils from the sink to the range. For this spout you will usually need a separate water pipe, supplying cold water.

Kitchen faucets operation

The quality of faucets depends on the materials and their mode of operation. To control the flow of water, they use such parts as…

• rubber washers
• ball valves
• ceramic cartridges
• ceramic disks…

Rubber washers wear out comparatively quickly, predisposing your faucet to leak. Ceramic disks or cartridges are far stronger and long-lasting. Faucets with such parts are more expensive, but they require little maintenance.

Kitchen faucets materials

Chrome and brass are materials of sufficiently good quality and are among the most frequently used materials for kitchen faucets. These are also faucets that require little maintenance.

Other materials may be used for the finishes on faucets, over a base of brass. For example, nickel, stainless steel, copper, zinc, bronze, silver, gold, etc. These materials can have a polished or matte finish, and may be used in combination with porcelain, glass or wood.

Keep in mind that there are some faucets you can buy in separate parts. Thus, you will be able to combine different materials, colors and shapes, to create your own design.

Kitchen faucets installation

You can install your faucet in the kitchen in three ways…

• through the sink
• through the countertop
• through the wall

The manufacturers usually supply detailed instructions on how to install the faucet. Another option is to use the services of a professional. Click here to submit your project and receive free estimates from highly rated local, licensed contractors within 48 hours with no obligation.

Extra accessories

Some accessories are sold together with your faucet, but you will need to buy others separately. Some of them are installed at the side of your faucet, while others are attached to its spout. For accessories that you will install at the side of your faucet you will need a separate hole in the sink or countertop (which you need depends on the type of installation of the faucet).

1. Spray: a body with a hose through which water runs. This helps you with washing big utensils, rinsing vegetables, cleaning up your sink… You have to be able to reach all areas of your sink with it.

You install the side spray separately from your faucet; on the left or on the right, depending on what will be more comfortably for you.

A pull-out spray (from the spout) will be your best option if you think you will use it frequently and you wish to change the water jet quickly from normal to spray and vice versa.

2. Water filter: for cleaning water; drinking water, for example. The filter will eliminate filth, rust, scale, chemicals, lead, etc. Water filters can be either fixed to the spout of the faucet or separately.

3. Soap dispenser: a container for supplying hand soap. You install it separately from your faucet and eliminate the need for a bottle with liquid soap on the countertop, thus creating a tidier appearance.

4. Hot water dispenser: a spout, supplying hot water. You can use it to prepare different drinks, for example, tea and coffee. You usually install it separately from your faucet.

5. Hole cover: you put it in holes of the sink or the countertop that you don’t use anymore. For example, if you don’t want a soap dispenser anymore, you can cover the hole left from it with the hole cover. Such covers are useful in that they improve the aesthetic appearance of your countertop and sink, and leave open the option of installing more accessories later.

6. Escutcheon plate: this functions like the hole cover, but you can cover several holes with it, not just one. You will add beauty to your faucet with it. It is desirable to make its color match the color of the faucet.

7. Scald protection: by this function you can set the maximum water temperature, to avoid burning from extremely hot water. It is especially useful if you have small children at home.

Conclusion

1. It’s good if the design of your faucet complements that of your sink (or of the kitchen furnishings, for example, the metal wares in the room).

2. When you buy kitchen faucets (with possible accessories), you should bear in mind the following factors, to avoid problems with installation…

• the number of holes available in your sink, countertop or wall
• the size of these holes and the spaces between them
• the size of the outlets for the water supply in the wall

3. The prices of faucets vary according to the quality. Buy the best faucet you can afford. This is an appliance you will use constantly, so you need quality materials and construction.

4. If you want your faucet to be accessible to people with disabilities, look for one that conforms to the requirements of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Ganka Vasileva is the owner of http://www.helpful-kitchen-tips.com, a website containing useful information about the kitchen; about the equipment of this greatly-used room in our home that occupies a special place in our lives. Buying guides for kitchen cutlery, small appliances, cookware & bakeware, kitchen furniture, storage & organization, plumbing, etc.