So many sinks to choose from!

Corian Kitchen Sink IMG_1877_wm

This is one corner of our current sink. Read on to learn why I can’t wait to change it!

If, like me, you are considering replacing your kitchen sink, here are the basics you need to consider:

1. What material do you want? The most popular fabrications are stainless steel, natural stone (soapstone in particular), cast iron, composite granite and copper. Stainless steel is by far the most popular. This article in Houzz,
“Selecting Your Sink Material,”
explains it well.

2. What configuration do you want? Do you like one big sink or do you want it divided? There are MANY pros and cons of each, and each type has its fans.
For ME:  I do not want my drying rack to sit on the counter. That is probably the most important consideration for me. The sink we have now is split, 50/50, and the drying rack sits nicely inside the right hand sink. Perfect. But yes, it would be nice to have a larger sink on the left to do pots. As it is, we are squeezed into a small space. So, I was looking for a double sink but a larger one.

3. The installation type. This is how the sink is actually installed with the countertop. There is undermount, flush mount and self-rimming. This article does an excellent job of describing the differences:
“Kitchen Sinks: Finding the Right One.”
I knew I wanted an undermount.

3. How deep do you want it? Sinks can vary from 8″ depth to over 10″: it makes a difference!

4. What style? Do you want a farmhouse style sink with front apron? Do you want square corners or a softer, rounder look?

It’s a lot to think about and I have spent close to a year trying to decide! I would research, then let it go for months. I asked friends; I went to see other kitchens; I would decide one thing only to change my mind the next week. Hmmmm.

Why AM I replacing the present sink???

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This is an OLD OLD picture of the kitchen when we bought the house! But the sink and counters are still the same. You can see how it’s all one piece.

  • We are replacing our counter tops and it seems the perfect time to invest in a new sink.
  • Our current counter top, which we inherited when we bought the house, is Corian. The counter and sink are all one piece i.e. the sink is “molded.” When we lived up North, in our 1923 house, I would have given almost anything to have this combination counter/sink! We had old/much-loved white formica with a stainless steel sink that was top mounted and thus, food was always getting caught in the cracks. Not a great set up but, of course, quite livable. But still….I longed for something more contemporary.
  • The sink is an off white color. All was fine for about the first year here…and then…well it gets yellow, stained, and scratched about every three days. We use Soft Scrub with bleach and, while it works, it is very temporary and the sink looks a mess in another day. (P.S. We are clean freaks!) I would never recommend this Corian combination all-in-one counter and sink…not after living with it for six years.
  • I had no idea that, due to the cabinet size, we could have a larger sink (side to side.)

    So WHAT IS IT that we are installing?
    The big reveal!

    We are going with a SILGRANIT SINK.

    This is one cool sink. The reviews, everywhere, are great.
    Read all about it HERE.

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This is the “Diamond” Equal Double Bowl.

Just what is it?

The Silgranit II is a composite sink manufactured from 80 percent granite and cast in a single pouring. Unlike natural granite, granite composite is not porous. That means it resists stains, is safe for all foods and, according to Blanco, is fully hygienic.

Blanco, a German company, is the only manufacturer of this sink. We did actually go and see one and loved it right away. We bought the Metallic Gray (one of eight colors available), but even in the white and light colors, it is almost totally impervious to any kind of stain. At all. No more Soft Scrub for us!
It resists scratches and chips:

SILGRANIT is as hard as stone, which makes it resistant to scratching and cutting. The normal impacts and blows such as those caused by pots and pans and falling objects, e.g. glasses, will not cause it to crack or chip.

 I was just about to go with stainless steel when we went to Wilkinson Supply Co. in Carrboro, NC where they have samples of the Silgranit sinks. We were sold immediately.

Installation happens this Tuesday… with, of course, the new counter tops. But you will have to wait for that post! I am very excited, to say the least.
Stay tuned….
We would love to hear your thoughts about sinks, your choices, your experiences and comments so please do enter in.

Final Signature