Countertop kitchen sinks: pros and cons

Each housewife spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Every day we cook, wash food, clean dishes. Therefore, the sink is the main detail of any kitchen set. The choice of this element should be taken seriously. It must have the following characteristics: be comfortable, reliable, wear-resistant, and have a beautiful appearance. In addition, the interior of the room will be transformed for the better with a properly selected kitchen attribute. In this article, we'll take a look at the kitchen sinks built into the countertop.

Types of built-in sinks for the kitchen

Modern built-in washbasins are versatile and very easy to use. Usually they think over in advance where it will be located, and with this calculation they select kitchen furniture. Thanks to the large selection of sinks of different designs, sizes and shapes, you can choose an option that is perfect for any kitchen. They are divided into three types: the classic model, with two bowls, with one or more wings.

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• classic version - the model consists of one bowl, square, round or oval;
• the model with two bowls is a very comfortable sink. You can wash dishes in one container, and vegetables and fruits in the other;
• model with one or two wings - it is convenient to place clean dishes and detergents on the wings of the product.

The sink can be positioned against the wall, away from the main area, or made a continuation flush with the stove. In corner kitchen furniture, the sink is usually installed in the corner. For lovers of original interiors, the island option is suitable. In this case, the sink is mounted in the middle of the room.

Advantages of inset sinks

1. A flush sink makes it easier to keep your kitchen clean and tidy.
2. Unlike the overhead built-in sinks under the kitchen countertop, in which various dirt and grease constantly accumulated, this does not happen in the inset models.
3. It turns out a solid work surface.
4. The kitchen interior is becoming more stylish and modern.

Installation method

Manufacturers make sinks of three designs, which differ in the installation method:

• overhead design - an overhead sink is mounted on a kitchen cabinet that does not have a countertop;
• cut-in design - a hole is cut out in the countertop into which the sink is installed. This model is the cheapest and most popular;
• integrated design - flush with granite or stone countertops. The result is a solid surface. Installation is carried out only with special equipment. Sometimes integrated sinks are supplied with kitchen furniture.

What material is the best built-in sink made of?

The cut-in model can be made of ceramics, granite or stainless steel. Marble, acrylic and copper are rarely used.

• Ceramic models. In addition to the fact that ceramic models have a beautiful appearance, they have a high level of impact resistance, are not afraid of the effects of acids and various detergents.
• Corrosion-proof material. The most common option is built-in stainless steel sinks. Inexpensive models, environmentally friendly, are not afraid of sudden temperature jumps, they look beautiful outwardly. They are easy to care for, easy and quick to clean. The surface of the sink can be matte or mirrored, polished or embossed. Water droplets and scratches are invisible on the embossed surface, so these models are the most practical. Stainless steel has a service life of about 20 years, which is less than that of other models.
• Granite models. Acrylic, granite chips and quartz sand are used for the manufacture of sinks. The advantages of such models: they have a beautiful appearance, absorb noise from water, are durable to shock and scratches, and are environmentally friendly. Despite all the advantages, in order to further protect the bottom, some users stack a steel pallet. The model, made of granite material, is considered the most durable, its service life is more than 50 years.

We can confidently say that whichever sink you buy, each of them will be reliable. All of these materials are resistant to various external influences, do not crack or deform from high temperatures. The bathroom can also be fitted with built-in sinks.

Installation of a flush sink under the countertop

The sink can be installed by hand, but this requires certain skills. It is better if a specialist does it. Otherwise, due to improper installation and the simplest mistakes, leaks or other emergencies will occur. The installation consists of three stages: assembly of the sink, installation and connection to communications.

How to assemble correctly?

First, a mixer and a siphon are installed on the sink, otherwise it will be problematic to do this later:

1. The water hoses are screwed into the mixer by tightening them with an open-end wrench.
2. Then the mixer is fixed with a nut.
3. A small hole is made in the sink for the mixer, water hoses are pulled through it and the mixer is inserted. If there is no hole, make it yourself using a round diamond cutter.

Sometimes in sinks made of granite, marble or ceramics, the tap hole is hidden. Several partially drilled holes are on the back. This is done specifically so that the sink can be installed in any direction. Using a percussion tool, the required hole is made. Sharp edges are smoothed out with a grinder.

Installation

When replacing an old sink with a new one, any model of the same size is selected. Then it is inserted in the same place. If the kitchen furniture is new, you will have to cut a hole in the countertop for it. This is done as follows:

1. To prevent water splashing on the lower cabinets and the floor, there should be at least 5 cm from the edge of the countertop to the edge of the sink.
2. A sink is placed upside down to the countertop and a contour is drawn with a pencil. Inside the contour, make another one, 1 cm less.
3. Using an electric jigsaw, cut a hole along the inner contour. To insert a jigsaw file into the tabletop, a hole is drilled on the inner contour with a drill.
4. The slabs are covered with liquid silicone, which will provide protection from water.
5. Then they try it on. The walls of the countertop and the sink should not be close to each other. If necessary, cut off another part of the plate to form a small gap.
6. Next, a sink is installed, the countertop is preliminarily coated with transparent silicone on top. This is necessary so that the joints are tight. The remaining silicone is wiped off.
7. Using L-shaped clamps, the sink is attached to the countertop from the inside. At the same time, on the one hand, the retainer is wound over the countertop, on the other hand, it is attached to the sink, pressing with the adjusting screws.
8. When everything is ready, they again check the tightness of the connection between the sink and the countertop. If the joint is not tight, it is sealed again with silicone.

Plumbing connection

The water connection is the last step in the installation:

1. The water hoses are connected to the water pipes.
2. Under the sink, a siphon with an overflow tube is connected to the drain hole. The tube protects against overflow and is fixed in the upper part of the sink.
3. The siphon is connected to the sewer system using a corrugated hose.
4. When all the connection work is ready, the siphon is checked for leaks. If necessary, carefully tighten all connections.

Specialist recommendations

You shouldn't buy products from unknown manufacturers. Even if its cost is much cheaper. The product may turn out to be of poor quality due to the fact that dubious firms often save on material or violate the technical manufacturing process.

It is not possible to install a large sink on a narrow worktop. Therefore, its size should correspond to the size of the kitchen unit, and not the parameters of the room.

A built-in washbasin of any size is suitable for countertops 60 cm wide.

In terms of volume, they can be deep or too shallow. With some non-standard furniture sizes, it is more reasonable to install a corner sink option. The standard product depth is 17 to 19 cm.

The installation of an integrated sink is carried out with special equipment for cutting stone. Therefore, it is impossible to do the installation with your own hands.

Conclusion

Domestic and foreign manufacturing companies offer a large selection of built-in sinks of any design, made of different materials, in any color. And models with additional accessories, which, according to consumers' reviews, make the operation process even better, are in greatest demand. These include not only filters for water purification, but also special blocks (disposers) that grind food that clogs the drain. The inset sink for the kitchen will transform the room, creating special comfort and aesthetics.

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