Built-in sinks in the countertop for the kitchen: varieties and selection criteria

A variety of model range of kitchen sinks allows each owner of individual housing to find for themselves a convenient version of the sink. Especially popular were the decisions in which this element of the headset not only harmoniously supplements the countertop, but is built into it. In this case, the sink can be located under the work surface or integrate into it, forming a monolithic connection. This option looks especially attractive.

Modern built-in sinks in the kitchen countertop are mounted both at the manufacturing stage and during the installation of the headset itself. Their design and choice of materials may be varied, but the main advantage is still preserved - perfect fixation without sides spoiling the aesthetics of the structure. Kitchen sinks made of stainless steel, and expensive products made of natural stone or solid acrylic models can also be built-in. The main thing is to correctly determine the appropriate solution and take care of the accuracy of its installation in the countertop.

Kitchen sinks built into the countertop are a popular design solution that can harmoniously fit into the modern design of the kitchen space. They can form a single whole with a common countertop or mounted on a separate stand. Depending on the installation method, such kitchen structures can be located under the countertop or form an integral monolithic block with it.

Integrated, mortise, overhead, semi-recessed models of sinks are an excellent solution to optimize the arrangement of the working area. Such kitchen sinks may have various design options.

1. With one bowl. The classic version, which can take many forms. Oval, round, diamond-shaped, rectangular, square sinks of built-in type are convenient, aesthetic, and durable.
2. With two bowls. A convenient solution for the kitchen, which is a lot and regularly cooked. One of the bowls can be equipped with a waste grinder, supplemented with a flexible mixer hose and used exclusively for processing vegetables and fruits. Also in the second sink it is convenient to cut fish, to defrost meat and poultry. The other bowl at this time will be free to wash hands, rinse dishes.
3. With a wing. Such an additional platform may be located on one or several sides of the sink bowl at once. The presence of the wing greatly facilitates the drying of hand-washed dishes, vegetables, berries and fruits. The departure surface should have a ribbed ribbed coating.
4. Corner The most difficult to execute. It is better to choose models that integrate into countertops and form a single monolith with them. The most aesthetically pleasing is the combination of countertops and sinks made of artificial stone.

The sinks built into the bottom of the countertop, as well as other models, differ somewhat in the way they are mounted from all other options. The following types of their designs are considered the most popular.

• Semi-recessed. Sinks with a front side acting as an apron. They are usually made of ceramic, have a decorative or plain panel in the front. This element protrudes slightly beyond the front edge of the headset, giving the design a resemblance to classic overhead sinks. Products of this type can most often be found in a typical American interior.

• Overhead. They are fixed on the pedestal flush with the tabletop without sides and protrusions. Act as a cover, completely sealed with the rest of the elements of the working area.

• For installation under the countertop. Sinks attached from below to the back of the work surface. Special mounting elements are used here. The whole structure requires careful sealing.

• Integrated. Kitchen sinks made of artificial or natural stone, carved or cast entirely with a countertop. They can have a different shape and depth, do not have mounting gaps, are installed as part of a solid construction of the working surface.

• Glued. They are similar to integrated ones, but occupy their place in the headset due to the formation of an adhesive connection with the countertop. Mounted using professional equipment and compositions.

• Mortise. Sinks installed in a pre-made hole in the countertop are fixed flush with the rest of the surfaces or with small sides at the edges.

Sinks of each type have their own advantages. But their main feature is the need for professional installation.

Among the materials used for the manufacture of kitchen built-in sinks, there are a number of options that give the finished product unique properties. So, modern ceramic sinks are aesthetically pleasing. Copper looks expensive and respectable, but less practical than steel and stainless. Expensive models made of natural and artificial stone look luxurious, but require appropriate framing.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks are made of alloyed 18% chromium and 10% nickel alloy. Finished products have a wall thickness of 0.4-1.2 mm, the recommended figures are at least 0.6 mm. Such steel built-in sinks have sufficient mechanical strength, hold their shape well, and do not bend when pressed mechanically.

Stainless steel sinks do not differ in the variety of colors and textures. But they can be decorated with mirror polish, matte chrome finish, have a decorative textured finish. Such sinks are optimal in terms of price and quality, they do not require complicated maintenance, they are easily installed in different ways.

An interesting design solution is a copper sink. Such an accessory will harmoniously fit into the interior in the style of retro, vintage, country. Manufacturers create interesting designs, glossy copper plated or antique. The unusual reddish color of the metal looks very impressive, such sinks are characterized by the presence of an antibacterial effect, the affordable cost of the product. But thin-walled products can create too high a noise level, it is better not to save and purchase more expensive thick-walled products.

Copper sinks look beautiful and unusual, but need to be carefully maintained.

The manufacture of built-in sinks for kitchens made of artificial stone can be made on the basis of stone chips and an acrylic binder. Whole products with high mechanical strength, practical care, and durable are cast from the material obtained. Plumbing equipment of this type has good water-repellent properties, it is diverse in design and color scheme. Built-in sinks made of artificial stone are quite heavy, massive, creating a serious load on the surface.

Kitchen sinks made of ceramics are usually made in a semi-built-in form due to the characteristics of the material. Porcelain and earthenware sinks are distinguished by aesthetics, sufficiently high strength, practical, undemanding in care. The surface of the clay base to increase its resistance to external influences is covered with a special protective coating.

Also on sale can be found metal sinks coated with protective enamel. Integrated or separately cut natural stone products are popular. Luxurious granite and marble, onyx and travertine in the kitchen look very original. But the large massiveness of such countertops complicates their use without additional strengthening of the frame part of the headset.

Usually the manufacture of built-in sinks takes place on an individual basis, especially when it comes to products made of artificial or natural stone. But there are a number of averaged parameters that allow you to determine which one is small or large, the sink is suitable for the kitchen interior. Among the most popular options, models with a length of:

• 40 cm;
• 45 cm;
• 50 cm;
• 60 cm

But these are average indicators. Among the mortise models under the tabletop, you can find options with a bowl size of 22 cm wide, they are built in as an additional module for a full sink. The length of a single bowl is rarely more than 40-60 cm, double can have indicators of 80-100 cm. The depth of the sink should exclude intensive spraying of liquid, indicators from 18 to 24 cm are considered optimal.

For round models of kitchen sinks, a diameter of 50-60 cm is characteristic. Oval can also have a similar length. Corner structures usually have a size of 100 cm, are equipped with two wings on the sides or have on one side an additional mini bowl for washing fruits and greens.

When choosing a sink built-in type for the kitchen, the following important points should be considered.

1. Sizes. Even semi-built models in width should not exceed the size of the countertop. If you have to install a sink in a ready-made set, this factor will be of significant importance.
2. The color scheme. The best option is the built-in sink option, which in color and texture completely merges with the countertop. You can achieve 100% compliance only when installing integrated models. But glued models also allow you to achieve impressive results. Ceramic sinks can be white and colored, often only the outer side of the front edge is decorated.
3. The shape of the bowl. In straight worktops of linear type, a square or rectangular type of built-in sinks is installed. This allows you to rationally use the area, vary the depth of the thicket with respect to the side. Oval, round, diamond-shaped and other complex-shaped models are recommended to be mounted in an angular format, where space saving is of the utmost importance.
4. The number of bowls. A single should be quite spacious and capacious, suitable for immersion in a large pot, pan, roasting pan. If you are not planning to wash massive objects, but there is a need for regular separation of tasks in the kitchen, it would be better to choose the sink option with two more compact bowls.
5. The presence of holes for the mixer. If it is absent, the plumbing equipment will have to be mounted on the wall or in the countertop, doing unnecessary work. In the kitchen, a flexible hose with a holder attached to the wall can be a good solution - it is convenient to use it for washing vegetables and fruits, during installation you do not need to make cuts in the base of the countertop.
6. The size of the kitchen. If we are talking about a small space, a reasonable solution would be to choose a built-in round or corner sink, complemented by wings, a hinged mesh for washing greens. The spacious kitchen allows you to place a truly large double sink in the interior.

Following these tips and tricks, you can easily choose the best design option for a built-in type kitchen sink.

See how to install the sink in the countertop correctly.