Kitchen Sinks Overview

I started with some Internet research for an overview of kitchen sinks and in about five minutes of search, cut, and paste I had 24 pages of information.  With that in mind I am starting with an overview of choices and options and what to consider when choosing a kitchen sink.  Then the next three blogs will cover {1} material choices, {2} configuration and size, and {3} installation types and features. 

Many clients look for exactly the same things in a sink; most people want a simple, elegant design and easy maintenance.  With thousands of different types of kitchen sinks to choose from deciding which sink is best for you can be difficult.  Below are some key points to consider when choosing a kitchen sink.

§         Type of expected duty is a key factor.  You will use the sink on a daily basis so consider function over form.  If you hand-wash a lot of dishes, then a double bowl sink may work well, one for washing and one for rinsing/drying.  However, if you only wash large pots, pans, and a few other items, then one large single bowl may work better.

§         Faucet and accessory setup is another key factor.  The sink needs to have the correct number of faucet holes for the type of faucet you choose, plus any other accessories you plan to install, such as sprayer, instant hot water, filtered water, or soap dispenser.

§         Where it will be located should be considered.  Replacing a sink in its current location is the least expensive option, as the plumbing rough-in does not need to be changed.  But if the location does not work for your day-to-day use, relocation may be a better choice.

§         Kitchen size often governs the size and style of sink; smaller sinks for smaller kitchens and larger or multiple sinks for larger kitchens or kitchens where two people cook at the same time.  An incorrectly sized sink may look out of scale with your kitchen.

§         Some kitchen sinks such as farm sinks or large multiple bowl sinks may require special cabinetry.  If you are remodeling the entire kitchen this is not as much of an issue since the correct cabinetry can be ordered to accommodate the sink.  But some pre-planning and decision making is required so all elements {sink, faucet, counter, cabinet} work together.

In summary, the steps to choosing a new sink are determine what your needs are, determine how the sink will be used most efficiently day to day, determine how the other parts of your kitchen will work with the sink, and the review all the sink options available to meet your goals.

Kitchen Faucets

Kitchen remodeling is such a huge part of the building industry that there is a dazzling array of products, manufacturers, and options from which to choose.  Plumbing fixtures are no exception.  This blog will review kitchen faucets and the next, kitchen sinks.  One thing for sure is that your kitchen will have a faucet and sometimes more than one.

Style and Finish:  Kitchen faucets are available in almost any style and finish you can imagine.  Often the style and finish will be chosen to match other design elements in the kitchen.  Polished chrome is the least expensive choice.  Stainless steel is a durable and inexpensive option that matches many sinks and appliances.  Brushed nickel is a very popular choice and other options include bronze and brass in a variety of finishes.  White enamel is available although we have found the finish hard to maintain.  The shape and look of the faucet also can vary quite a lot from a simple straight line to a large arch and everything in-between, and from very modern to very traditional.

Single Handle Faucet:  A single handle faucet is the most common choice, with one handle controlling the volume of water and the hot/cold function.  A single handle faucet takes up little space on the counter, although some people find the volume and temperature can be difficult to adjust.

Double Handle Faucet:  The double handle faucet has a separate handle each for hot and cold water and offers better temperature control.  The do require three holes in your sink or counter {faucet, hot, and cold}, creating a more cluttered look. The additional handles can also be more difficult to clean around.

Pullout Spray Faucet:  Another option is a faucet that includes a pullout sprayer.  The pullout feature can be used to clean the sink area, to wash vegetables or for washing dishes. Pullout sprayers generally have more water pressure than the older separate sprays mounted adjacent to the faucet.  It also saves space and clutter on the sink or countertop.

Wall Mounted Faucet:  This is an increasingly popular option.  The faucet is mounted on the wall behind the sink, which makes it easier to use for filling large pots, frees up space on the counter, and gives the kitchen a unique look.  One limiting factor to using this type of faucet is that many sinks are on an exterior wall and having the piping and faucet located in there can make freezing a concern.

Second Faucet:  Many larger kitchens have two sinks, often a clean-up sink and a prep sink or bar sink.  Typically the faucets will be similar or matching styles and finishes with slight variation in size to match the function they serve.

Whatever faucet choice you make it is important to choose a well-made and durable faucet, and it is worth spending a little extra to do so.  The kitchen faucet is often used several times a day and long-term performance is a plus.

Kitchen Lighting

A common complaint we hear about older kitchens is that they are too dark or need better lighting. It’s definitely true that poor lighting makes working in a kitchen difficult.  It’s important that once the kitchen planning starts that lighting is not overlooked.  Lighting choices will have a huge impact on the final look, appeal, and functionality of a remodeled kitchen.  The following paragraphs review areas of lighting found in modern kitchens.

Natural Light:  It’s ideal if a kitchen can be designed to maximize natural light.  An added benefit is that the cost of natural light is zero, it’s free.  Of course adding windows or installing new and larger windows is not free, especially if structural framing with interior and exterior finishes is required.  The benefit of increasing the number of windows for more light may be offset by the loss of cabinet wall space.  One less expensive option is to replace double hung windows with casement windows (the ones that crank out).  Casement windows have less of a frame as the window is one large sash and opposed to two smaller sashes.  Another choice is to replace a solid kitchen door with a new glass door or a door with wood panels below and glass above.

Direct Lighting:  Direct lighting is what you need to the light the main areas of the kitchen, including the entire room, over an island or counters, and over appliances.  Typically this is either recessed lights and/or pendant lights over an island, table, or counter.  This is usually the brightest lighting in the kitchen, although the lights can be installed on dimmers. Different lighting areas are usually controlled by separate switches, so individual areas can be turned on as needed.

Task Lighting:  For task lighting we usually think of lighting under the wall cabinets to light the counters where most of the work in a kitchen is performed.  There are several types of under-cabinet lights available, florescent, low voltage halogen, and LED.  Our preference is LED, a very small light that rarely burns out, is energy efficient, and easy to work with.  Range hoods also have lights to illuminate the cook-top or range, another form of task lighting. It is also good to consider some sort of task lighting at the sink area, such as a recessed light or pendant.

Ambiance:  Ambiance lighting creates a mood.  This can be contrasting bright lights or soft lights, lights on the tops of wall cabinets, or along the kick space of base cabinets.  Lighting inside of wall cabinets with glass doors or lights that highlight a special piece of artwork or decorative feature in your kitchen are other examples.

Layering:   Layering is the hot trend in kitchen lighting.  Basically it is a combination of all the lighting noted above using different types of lighting for different locations and at different height levels in your kitchen.  Layering maximizes not only the functional use but also the visual appeal of your kitchen.

The Kitchen Backsplash

The kitchen backsplash at one time was standard; four inches of laminate counter material and a painted wall, sometimes with a small area of tile behind the range or sink to protect the wall from water and stains.  These days, kitchen backsplashes have gone upscale and are often an important kitchen design element.  Using some new materials and inventive design, your backsplash can be the decorative focal point of the kitchen.  The following list is a review of some kitchen backsplash options from simple to complex, inexpensive to more expensive, along with some pros and cons.

Laminate:  As mentioned above this is the simplest and one of the least expensive options.  Typically the laminate counter material continues 4” up the wall and above this is a painted surface, ideally with an easier to clean and maintain paint finish such as eggshell or semi-gloss.

Granite, Marble, or Synthetic Materials:  This is a similar approach to the laminate backsplash with the counter material extending 4” up the wall.  Another approach is to run the counter material the full height, normally 18” between the counter and wall cabinets, and a larger area behind the range or cook-top.  Using a single slab eliminates grout joints and painted finishes.  Granite and synthetic materials are more durable and less porous.  {Synthetic materials include Corian, Silestone, Ceasarstone, etc.}  Marble is porous and can absorb moisture and stains.

Ceramic Tile:  Ceramic tile is the most popular backsplash option and is used extensively.  It offers a wide range of design choices including patterns, color variations, painted designs, and varying shapes and sizes.  Ceramic tile is a mid-range cost choice and low maintenance, although the grout does need to be cleaned and sealed on occasion.

Glass Tile:  Glass tile is made from recycled glass and offers a wide variety of colors and shapes.  It can be used for the entire backsplash or combined with ceramic tile.

Mirrored Glass:  A mirrored backsplash is easy to clean and maintain and creates a feeling of depth and space.  Combined with a unique stone counter, colorful counter accessories, and under-cabinet lighting a mirrored backsplash can give a modern, unique, upscale appearance.

Stainless Steel:  Stainless steel is another low maintenance option.  Combined with stainless steel counters and/or appliances it can give a kitchen a professional, commercial, serious chef appearance.

Simple Kitchen Upgrades

When remodeling a kitchen, there are options that are less expensive than a full kitchen remodel, while still making significant improvements.  Both the appearance and functionality of your kitchen can be improved with a number of small and cost effective remodeling projects.  In many cases these projects can be accomplished over a period of time, spreading the costs while upgrading your kitchen.  The following is a list of some projects to consider.

Cabinets:  There are a number of ways kitchen cabinets can be improved without replacing the cabinets themselves.  New hardware, new cabinet drawer inserts, installing pull-out shelves or additional shelves, or even just adjusting the doors and shelves can all improve the functional and visual performance of cabinets.  If the space is available, an island may be added without changing the exiting cabinets.

Counters:  Installing new countertops can provide a major kitchen facelift.  This is often combined with a new kitchen sink and faucet.  Replacing the countertop can be accomplished in one to two days, a major improvement with minimum disruption.  Numerous counter options include stone of various types, solid surface man-made counters, laminate, tile, and a variety of wood choices.  Often two different materials may be used, for example a wood island counter with granite counters on the surrounding cabinets.

Appliances:  Replacing appliances is a straightforward improvement to most kitchens.  Many appliances such as dishwashers, ranges, and hoods are standard sizes and the change is fairly simple.  Also, adding a beverage or wine refrigerator is an increasingly popular option.

Electric:  There are many electrical up-grades to improve a kitchen visually and functionally; new light fixtures, under cabinet lighting, etc.  These will be discussed in detail in a subsequent blog.

Plumbing:  Changes and upgrade options to kitchen sinks and faucets will be reviewed in a subsequent blog.  Besides changing the existing sink and faucet a large kitchen may benefit from adding a second prep sink and faucet..

Backsplash:  Likewise there are many options for the kitchen counter backsplash; tile, glass tile, paint, stone, solid surface materials, etc.  These will be reviewed in depth in the next blog.

Paint:  Painting is a task most homeowners can manage with a little time and effort.  New paint can brighten and refresh a kitchen at a small cost.  Painting of ceilings and wood trim are also good options but a little more challenging.  Painting existing cabinets is not nearly as simple or fast as painting walls. It involves stripping and sanding the cabinets, then applying primer and two finish coats.  This is a task probably best left to a professional painter. However, painting the cabinets, especially combined with new cabinet hardware, can  make a major improvement to your kitchen. 

Flooring:  Kitchen floors can be a variety of materials including wood, engineered wood, laminate, tile, cork, or vinyl.  Floors can typically be installed without removing cabinets and often without removing the existing floors. 

Other Small Projects:  Other projects to improve and remodel a kitchen without a total kitchen replacement may include installing new windows, removing walls between the kitchen and an adjacent room, creating a pantry, or installing new moulding.  All can significantly improve the enjoyment and everyday use of your kitchen.

Note:  The concept for this and the next few kitchen and bath blogs comes from Case Handyman and Remodeling.

Guild Quality

ADR recently renewed our membership in Guild Quality.  Guild Quality provides customer surveying for builders, remodelers, and real estate companies.  Customer satisfaction surveys help us to deliver exceptional customer services.  You can check out the site at www.guildquality.com.  And then under the search engine enter ADR Builders.

We hope clients and potential clients find these reviews as helpful as we do.

Kitchen Remodeling and the Budget – Kitchen Estimator Spreadsheet

This is now going to get a little more complicated and require some participation.  On our website, we have created a kitchen budget calculator based on an Excel spreadsheet.  By entering your home’s current approximate value in the budget calculator you can find an estimated budget for your kitchen.  Or you can enter a fixed budget amount and arrive at the total allowances you may wish to consider for the various products and services required in a kitchen remodel.

Please note the calculator is one two worksheets.  Worksheet one is the actual calculator, worksheet two has explanations and general notes to consider when using the calculator.

Good luck and happy estimating.

Click here for the calculator!!!