Many people don’t have to think about the type of sink in their kitchen because it was already there when they moved in. But for many homeowners, choosing the right one is important to how well the kitchen performs. This is especially true for people who love to cook or use the kitchen a lot.
If you’re building, renovating, or simply designing a house, you must consider how often the kitchen will be in use, what it will be used for and the sink usage. You must also consider the countertop space and how many kitchen sinks you plan to install. While you might be aiming for aesthetics, ensure you factor in the room’s functionality in the long run. Several factors influence the cost of a kitchen sink, and this article breaks them down in detail.
Factors that Determine the Cost of Kitchen Sinks
There are four main factors that inform the price of the sink you install in your kitchen: style, material, size, and installation. Let’s discuss them to see how you can manage your budget if you have a tight one.
- Style
Common styles for kitchen sinks include the top-mount, undermount and farmhouse. Each has features that affect its price in the market. The top-mount sink, which is also called a self-rimming or drop-in sink, is one of the most affordable options. The reason is the installation cost; it’s easier to install this type of sink than others.
As the name suggests, it mounts from the top and sits with its rims above the counter, which can eat up valuable space. Still, it works well with almost every countertop, regardless of design or style, which makes it popular and always in demand. That means you don’t have to spend a fortune getting it to align with the countertop and any material you get works with the rest of the decor.
Next is the undermount sink, which is more expensive than the top-mount type because it fits from under the countertop and requires more careful and extensive installation steps. One thing it has going for it is that it doesn’t eat up countertop space, which is great for a kitchen with minimal space. Moreover, it presents a sleeker and more modern design because of its fit and you can easily sweep food debris from the countertop into it without stress.
Then, there’s the farmhouse sink, also called an apron sink because of its front edges that extend a few inches beyond the edges of the surrounding cabinets and countertop. It also fits underneath the surface of the countertop, but its unique design requires a different installation method.
Apart from the installation, which may require detailed cutting and shaping in the cabinets to accommodate it, the size and material of the sink also affects its cost. Still, its durability and easy maintenance make up for that cost in the long run. Click here for a breakdown of the installation costs of different sinks.
- Material
The material is probably the most important factor when it comes to price. For example, a large undermount sink that comes in stainless steel material may be less expensive than a small undermount sink in acrylic or porcelain material. In other words, while style and size are important, the material can make the sink expensive.
Plus, it can determine the installation method since some materials are more fragile than others. Stainless steel is the most popular and preferred material because it’s affordable, durable, easy to clean and versatile. It’s also non-porous, meaning it allows no air or liquid to pass through.
Fireclay is another popular material, although not as popular as stainless steel. It’s especially used for farmhouse sinks because of its density. Although typically expensive, fireclay sinks are durable and can withstand high temperatures. Besides, they are beautiful and can fit into any kitchen decor, whether traditional, rustic, or modern.
There’s also granite composite, a mixture of acrylic resins and granite stones. This unique blend makes it hard and durable but also expensive. However, they are not as expensive as fireclay; you can even find decently priced options with excellent features.
Like the fireclay options, granite composite sinks last a long time and work well with different decor styles and aesthetics. In addition to these, kitchen sinks are also available in porcelain, copper, chrome, cast iron, acrylic, etc.
- Size
Kitchen sinks come in various sizes, from single-bowl and double-bowl to triple-bowl types. A single-bowl sink, also called a single basin sink, refers to any kitchen sink with just one basin. It can be any of the styles or materials previously discussed but the number and dimensions of the basin determine its size.
It goes without saying that larger bowls will cost more but when you add other factors, like the material, the price will significantly change. Still, a single basin means a straightforward installation process, which makes it the most popular choice. Next is the double-bowl, also called the double basin. It is almost as popular as its single basin counterpart because of its extra space and convenience.
While many of them are not exactly bigger than a large single bowl when mentioned in dimensions, the convenience of having two separate bowls makes cooking and washing more enjoyable. Low-partitioned double sinks are even better because they can accommodate cookware or containers with long handles compared to high-partitioned double sinks.
Because of the material required to partition the two bowls, this sink cost noticeably more than the single option, especially when you go toward the high-end options. Then, there’s the triple-bowl or three-basin sink. As the name says, it has three basins divided by partitions.
It’s not as popular as the other two but if you have a large kitchen with lots of countertop space and cook a lot, choosing a kitchen sink size like this might be ideal. It’s mostly available in copper and stainless steel because of its lack of popularity so it may not be very expensive. However, the extra material needed to construct it factors into the cost.
4. Installation
As mentioned, some sinks are easier to install than others, but the style is not the only determining factor. The size and material play a significant role in how much these costs. An acrylic or porcelain double-bowl under-mount sink will cost a pretty penny to install compared to a granite composite double-bowl farmhouse sink.
Additional fixtures and features also determine the installation costs. You must also consider the installation team; some charge more than others so it helps to get several quotes to make the best decision for your budget.
Conclusion
Finding the best kitchen sink based on your budget shouldn’t be difficult if you know what to look for. The countertop space should determine the size unless you plan to create more space. Also, check the material that best fits the room while being practical and durable. The style is important because you’ll need functionality. Remember to make room in your budget for unforeseen expenses during installation to prevent delays in your project.
