Different types of Kitchen Sinks 

A sink is one of the most used fixtures in every kitchen. However, with many types of kitchen sinks available, choosing the best one for your home can be daunting. For that, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different types of kitchen sinks before you undertake your kitchen remodel. 

Lucky for you, that’s exactly what we’ll be looking at in this blog post. So, read on to learn more about the different types of sinks on the market and how they’re categorized! 

15 Different types of kitchen sinks 

While there are many types of kitchen sinks, they can be classified into 4 categories depending on certain factors. These factors are; kitchen sink material, installation type, bowl type, and number of bowls. 

To help you get a better understanding of each type, we’ll look at different types of sink by category! 

Installation

Whether you’re renovating or building a new home, the new sink must be compatible with the countertop you’re installing it on. For that, it’s important to consider the installation type of the sink you intend to buy before you settle on any unit. In that regard, kitchen sinks can be classified into the following types; 

• Drop-in/ Top-Mount/ Self-Rimming kitchen sink 

Also known as an overmount sink, a top-mount/ drop-in sink sits on top of the countertop, creating a rim/ lip around the sink. A hole is cut into the countertop and the sink is dropped down into the opening, while the rim is caulked to secure it in place. In addition, the rim contains pre-cut holes that are designed to be compatible with a faucet of the same configuration. 

One notable benefit of an overmount sink is that it’s easy to install and replace as it doesn’t require any changes to the countertop. Plus, it can be crafted from any material, regardless of how heavy it is as it provides extra support. More notably, this type of kitchen sink is less costly than their under-mount countertops, even with professional installation. 

However, drop-in sinks have their fair share of drawbacks as well. For instance, this kitchen sink is not as aesthetically pleasing as the under-mount sink. Not to mention that it’s relatively difficult to keep clean due to the debris and grime that stick on the rim. 

• Undermount kitchen sinks 

As the name implies, an under-mount kitchen sink is installed under the countertop using undermount clips. This creates a seamless transition between the sink and the countertop since the outside lip of the sink remains hidden. Even better, this design makes it easy to clean the sink area as it allows you to push the debris straight into the sink without sticking on the lip/ rim. On top of that, these types of kitchen sinks are highly versatile and compatible with most kitchen layouts. 

On the downside, under-mount sinks are usually more costly to install than other kitchen sinks since you have to drill a custom hole in the countertop. For that, it’s recommended that you hire a professional to install this type of kitchen sink to avoid improper support and serious damage. In addition, this kitchen sink does not work with all countertops. For instance, tile or laminate countertops are not strong enough to support undermount kitchen sinks. 

Apart from these issues, an under-mount kitchen sink is a great option when renovating or building a new kitchen if you want a visually appealing and seamless look. 

• Dual-mount kitchen sinks 

A dual-mount kitchen sink is designed to be either a drop-in or undermount sink depending on how you want to install it. Therefore, they don’t offer any benefit over drop-in or under-mount sink types since you have to settle on one style of installation at the end of the day. 

• Farmhouse/ Apron front kitchen sinks 

An apron or farmhouse-style kitchen features an exposed front and large, deep basins. The exposed front design prevents water from landing on and damaging the kitchen cabinets. Instead, any excess water to the floor down the front of the kitchen sink and onto the floor. On the other hand, the large, deep sinks provide ample space for washing bigger pans and pots. 

As for the material, farmhouse sinks can be made from fireclay, porcelain, or stainless steel. More notably, this type of kitchen sink is a popular choice for those who want a traditional or rustic look in their kitchen. However, they are also available in different styles to complement any kitchen decor.

A major drawback of farmhouse sinks is that the exposed front is exposed to a lot of chipping, damage as well as wear and tear. For that, it’s important to choose a farmhouse sink that is made from a durable material that can withstand wear and tear. 

In addition, these kitchen sinks are pricey and more difficult to install than other types of sinks. This is because they have to fit into a specially made cabinet that is designed to accommodate the unique size and design of the cabinet. As a result, you cannot replace the farmhouse sink with another type of sink once the cabinet has been manufactured. 

Material

When choosing the right type of kitchen sink for your home, you’ll have to make a decision about the material to go with at some point. While stainless steel is the most commonly used material, kitchen sinks can be made from several other materials. 

That said, here are the different types of kitchen sinks depending on the material used; 

• Stainless steel

As already mentioned, stainless steel is by far the most popular material in kitchen sinks, and for a good reason. 

First, stainless steel offers exceptional resistance to severe temperatures, stains, and acidic substances. At the same time, stainless steel looks good with various design and color options. As a result, it’s an excellent option for kitchen sins as it allows homeowners to maintain a sleek modern appearance in their kitchen space. 

Best of all, stainless steel is cheap, easy to clean, durable, and ideal for use in different types of sinks including apron front, drop-in, and under-mount sinks. 

• Cast Iron

Cast iron kitchen sinks are vintage and fashionable in style. For that, they’re quite popular in farmhouse kitchen sinks. However, they are also common in other types of sinks like drop-in and under-mount installation styles. 

Typically, these kitchen sinks are crafted from solid cast iron. In addition, they’re coated with a heavy porcelain enamel finish to protect them from rust. Better still, the porcelain enamel finish makes the sink easy to clean, while giving it exceptional ability to resist scratches and stains. 

One thing you need to note though is that cast iron is heavy, with an average-size sink weight of up to 100 lbs. This makes them more difficult to install, especially in undermount kitchen sinks as you’ll need additional support to hold in place under the countertop. 

• Fireclay

Fireclay sinks are made from a cast of clay that is heated at high temperatures and then glazed with a ceramic finish, resulting in a tough and sturdy sink material. Moreover, this material resists chipping, easy to repair, versatile, and highly customizable. On top of that, they’re non-porous and acid-resistant. 

Unfortunately, fireclay sinks are a bit more difficult to install than their stainless steel counterparts due to their heavy design. In addition, they’re considered a higher-end type of sink and fall in the most expensive category. All in all, fireclay is the go-to material for most farmhouse sinks. 

• Copper 

In recent years, copper sinks have gained popularity and are commonly used as secondary sins in bar or kitchen areas. Thanks to their exquisite look and rich color, they are a great alternative to traditional stainless steel. As a result, they will enhance the aesthetics and add a touch of class to your kitchen. 

One issue with copper sinks though is that maintaining them is both laborious and time-consuming. For instance, you have to regularly dry them with a towel after use to prevent the formation of water spots. More importantly, they’re more expensive than traditional stainless kitchen sinks, seeing that the cheapest copper sinks cost around $800. 

• Composite Quartz/ Granite  

Quartz kitchen sinks are made from a combination of composite quartz and other resins. For instance, granite composite kitchen sinks are made from 20% acrylic resins and 80% quartz. Interestingly, this results in a durable and sturdy sink material. 

In addition to being durable, these kitchen sinks are scratch-resistant and available in all types of color options. However, they are not as heat resistant as other higher-quality sink materials. 

There are 2 major manufacturers of composite quartz kitchen sinks in the United States; Blanco and Elkay. Blanco is the first company to use this material to make kitchen sinks. Specifically, their quartz kitchen sink is known as SilGranit. Plus, it is available in various installation types and color options to resemble different countertops. 

On the other hand, Elkay manufactures several types of quartz sinks such as Quartz Luxe, E-Granite, and Quartz Classic. These sinks have more vibrant colors than SilGranit sinks. 

Number of Bowls 

• Single-bowl kitchen sink 

As the name implies, a single-bowl kitchen sink has one large compartment with no dividers and a single drain. This makes them a great option for a small kitchen with limited countertop space as they don’t take up a lot of space. Better yet, they allow you to clean large cookware without splashing water onto the counter as they can accommodate a couple of large trays or pots. 

The only issue with single-bowl kitchen sinks is that you can use them to clean the dishes and prepare food at the same time. Other than that, they’re ideal for single individuals and smaller households. 

• Double Bowl Kitchen Sink 

A double-basin/ bowl kitchen sink has 2 compartments, with each compartment having its own drain. That way, you can use each bowl for different purposes at the same time. For instance, you can use one bowl to wash dishes, and the other to soak or rinse them. 

As you would expect though, double-bowl kitchen sinks are wider than their single-bowl counterparts. For that, they can only fit inside a kitchen cabinet that is wider than 33”. 

Another drawback of double-bowl kitchen sinks is that they provide less space than a single-bowl sink. Therefore, they’re not a great idea for small kitchens. Also, they make it difficult to wash large cookware. That is because the separate basins leave less room for washing large pans and pots. 

• Triple-Basin Kitchen Sink 

3-bowl kitchen sinks come with three separate compartments; one for washing, one for prep work, and one for drying. As a result, these kitchen sinks can be as long as 60”, but the basins can vary or be the same depending on your preference. However, this type of kitchen sink is not commonly used in residential kitchens as they’re usually reserved for restaurants and commercial spaces. 

Bowl Type 

Lastly, you can classify kitchen sinks based on their bowl type. Generally, this approach focuses on the design cues or shape of the basin instead of the number of compartments. 

• D Bowl Kitchen sinks 

A D-bowl sink is a specific type of sink that is designed for laundry areas and small kitchens. As the name implies, the bowl of this kitchen sink is shaped like the letter ‘D’, helping it take advantage of the full standard 24-inch cabinet depth. However, this means that you cannot install the kitchen faucet directly in the middle of the sink. Instead, the faucet is installed either on the right or left side of the arc. 

• Offset Bowl sink 

A kitchen sink with offset bowls usually consists of 2 bowls. The first bowl occupies the full depth of the counter, while the 2nd bowl is shallower to allow the kitchen faucet to be installed behind. However, offset bowl sinks can come as a single-basin sink. 

• Prep/ Bar sinks 

Lastly, a bar or prep sink is a smaller version of a standard kitchen sink. However, this sink is used for niche tasks like rinsing greens and meal preparation as opposed to regular clean-up tasks. More importantly, these sinks are usually designed to fit in cabinets that are smaller than 21” and come in more unique shapes like square and round. 

Choosing the right type of kitchen sink for your home 

Different types of kitchen sinks vary significantly in terms of weight, price, and installation process. For instance, some sinks like farmhouse sinks may require you to alter the countertop, while others like under-mount sinks may require a professional installer. So, if you’re planning to install the kitchen sink yourself, consider a sink that does not need any modification to the existing opening. At the same time, look for a sink that is made from a light material like stainless steel. 

In addition to the installation process, the best kitchen sink for your home should fit your counter space, lifestyle, budget, cooking habits, cleaning needs, and personal style. Luckily, with so many types of kitchen sinks available, you can easily find one that suits your needs and lifestyle!