Sink Configurations

A single bowl may be the best choice for cleaning large bowls and cookie sheets. It is a good idea to install a smaller second sink in another location. If two separate sink locations are not possible then a double bowl may be the better choice, one side can be used for washing foods while the other side holds the dirty dishes. Triple sinks require a large sink base, approximately 42 to 48 inches. These sinks provide one small prep bowl and two larger bowls. If you are the kind of homeowner who stacks dishes on a countertop drain board, take a look at the sinks that are configured with an integral drain board.

Another consideration is the depth of the bowl. You will find the average depths to be 7 or 8 inches. Deeper bowls may cause a strain on your back. Look carefully at the curvature of the bowl. Examine where the sides and bottom meet. The less radius of a curve the wider the sink will be at the bottom. Remember that an undermount bowl will end up deeper because of the thickness of the countertop.

When purchasing a sink keep in mind how many holes will be needed for the faucet and other plumbing accessories. Stainless steel and porcelain enamel sinks (both cast iron and steel) must be ordered with the proper hole drillings. Solid surface and stone can be can be drilled by the fabricator as needed on the job site.