Kitchen countertops and sinks: main varieties and their

A properly selected and correctly installed worktop is not only a multifunctional furniture element, but also an important component that forms the design in a kitchen room.

Not so long ago, while arranging the kitchen, unattractive short-lived individual enameled sinks were used. Today, anyone can purchase a countertop with a cast sink or kitchen furniture with a more affordable mortise modification.

In this article, we will consider the main criteria for choosing modern countertops with integrated sinks, and in addition, we will list the modifications presented in the assortment of most specialized stores. Finally, we will talk about how to install the sink in the work surface.

Criteria for choosing a work surface for kitchens

Modern worktop must meet a number of requirements that should be considered when choosing.

Among these requirements, we note the following:

• surface resistance to regular contact with water;
• resistance to abrasion;
• cut resistance;
• resistance to mechanical shock;
• resistance to contact with hot dishes;
• aesthetic design in harmony with the rest of the furniture and the interior of the room as a whole;
• simplicity and ease of maintenance;
• An attractive price that will fit into the framework of the budget allocated to the arrangement of the kitchen.

Now, when we know what to look for when choosing, consider what modifications of the working surface are commercially available.

Classification according to the type of production materials

• An affordable black worktop and black wash will most likely be made from postforming. (laminated chipboard).

The market offers a wide selection of work surfaces made of chipboard various color and texture versions.

Important: There is a significant drawback to the tops of postforming, namely, a small operational resource in case of incorrect installation.

• Stainless steel worktop is an excellent solution for modern kitchens.. Such a work surface is smooth, durable and easy to use.

Steel cast sink with a tabletop is more expensive than analogs of chipboard, but also able to serve many times longer. Polished and matte countertops are on sale. Polished products are more practical, since they are easier to wash and there are practically no stains on them.

The design of steel countertops is a sheet of pressed steel, mounted on a chipboard. Such a solution eliminates the possibility of metal deflection during the washing operation.

• Artificial stone worktop - it is an excellent alternative to expensive granite and marble products.

Such products combine beauty, durability, wear resistance and hydrophobicity. Moreover, work surfaces made of artificial stone are guaranteed to fit into the interiors of kitchens, decorated in both classic and modern style.

More than 90% of artificial stone consists of quartz crumb, pressed with an acrylic binder. Therefore, such tabletops are not inferior in strength to products made of granite.

• Granite countertop - This is a popular solution for the interior design of elite kitchens.

Granite coatings are wear-resistant, heat-resistant, and therefore suitable for everyday use.

Unlike products from an artificial stone, granite demands special leaving. In order to avoid stains on the working surface of kitchen furniture, granite should be regularly coated with protective impregnations.

Specialized firms can order a wide range of granite countertops with a glossy or matte texture.

• Marble countertops are made to order and are expensive. Since organic impurities are practically not absorbed into the thickness of marble working surfaces, they are easy to clean and clean. For the care of the marble does not need any special tools, except for a wet cloth and a washing gel.

Now, when we have dealt with the varieties of work surfaces, we will decide how to install the sink in the countertop.

Installation methods

The location of the sink on the tabletop depends largely on the type and configuration of the bowl. For example, there are products that involve the use of one installation method and this should be taken into account when choosing them.

If the bowl on the edge has a characteristic protrusion, then it can be fixed on the working surface exclusively by the method of tamping. If the sink is invoice, then you can simply cover it with a cabinet and fix it with screws. Thus, it becomes possible to completely abandon the purchase and installation of tabletops.

By the way, a tabletop with a cast sink made of artificial stone precisely because of its initial readiness for operation today is becoming increasingly popular.

From the currently relevant methods of tapping the bowl into the work surface, we note the following:

• surface mounting;
• installation flush with the surface;
• mounting with a ledge above the surface.

Consider the methods of performing installation in more detail.

Installation of the surface wash

This method is in demand if a special washing cupboard is used without a top. Laid on sink, most often, is made of stainless steel and is a whole with the working surface. In addition to stainless steel products, you can order an overhead sink made of artificial or natural stone.

Stainless steel structures are mounted on the cabinet by the self-propelled screws or held without fixing due to their weight. Stone products are fixed by means of special spacer fasteners, which can not only fix the invoice design, but also align the edges relative to the perimeter of the pedestal.

Installation instructions are simple:

• the sink is installed in its place;
• fastener tightened screwdriver;
• in the lower part the mixer is mounted and connected to the water supply;
• A siphon is installed inside the cabinet and is connected to the sewer.

Mounting the mortise shell

If the question is how to glue the sink to the countertop, then most likely we are talking about a mortise type sink.

This is the most common method, which involves the following steps:

• A bowl is applied to the installed tabletop and its perimeter is indicated;
• Further along the perimeter of the jigsaw, a hole is cut;
• In the hole falls the bowl;
• Fixing the bowl and the working surface is carried out by means of special l-shaped fasteners or using sanitary silicone.

Important Installing the bowl on silicone is particularly preferable, since in this case the possibility of contact between the table top and water is excluded.

• At the final stage, a mixer is mounted in the process hole and a siphon is installed.

Installation of the sink below the working surface

This method of installation is not very popular, since it implies the need for complex machining of the table top.

The purpose of the installation work is to ensure that the edge of the bowl is flush with the work surface. Due to the fact that the bowl is located as if in a recessed state, it becomes possible to avoid unnecessary protrusions on the surface of kitchen furniture.

This installation method is suitable for most mortise shells.

Conclusion

So, we looked at how to choose and install your own sink on kitchen furniture. Of course, these recommendations may not be universal, and in this case, during installation, you will have to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

There are questions that need to get a comprehensive answer? Find the information you need by watching the video in this article.