Self-Rimming Sinks feature a rolled edge that mounts directly over the countertop. They are the most common and easiest to install.
Double sinks are the most common in new construction, with one bowl available for washing and one for rinsing dishes.
Single bowls are necessary in small kitchens with little counter space or can function as a second sink for meal preparation.
In triple sinks, the middle bowl is designed for the garbage disposal.
Shapes are rectangular or square; custom sinks can be round, oval or other shapes.
Standard size is 8″ deep; low-end sinks are only 5-7″ deep and top-quality sinks can go 10″ deep.
Sinks are constructed of many different materials including enameled steel, stainless steel, cast iron, brass, stone and composites such as quartz or granite combined with resin.
Enameled steel has a tendency to chip and is less durable than cast iron or stainless steel.
Stainless steel comes in different gauges; the lower the number, the thicker the steel. Thicker steel is less noisy, and undercoating can help dampen noise. Satin finish is the easiest to clean.
Other accessories for kitchen sinks include sliding cutting boards, clip-on colanders and custom dish drainers.