The rising value of sinks - The Columbian

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Sunday, February 18, 2007
By ALITA BOWDER for The Columbian

Let function be your guide, experts say, as kitchen mainstay takes on specialized uses, new shapes, variety of materials, colors and prices

It's easy to be dazzled with the array of options when searching for the perfect kitchen sink. There's stainless steel, cast iron, solid surface, composite, concrete, copper. One compartment, two compartments, three compartments. Deep bowl, shallow bowl, or both.

Todd Skidmore can tell you, never forget the most important feature: utility.

"I have a really big pan I bought at Costco, and I couldn't fit it in my sink," Skidmore said.

Skidmore, who has more experience than most dealing with kitchen sinks as an inside salesman for Standard Supply Co. in Portland, said a single-bowl sink worked best for his needs. That choice might -- or might not -- work for his customers.

"If they use the kitchen to cook a lot, really think about what type of sink they want," he said. "A lot of people end up with a dual-compartment sink, and they end up going in the future to one big bowl."

One sink or two?

How you use your kitchen also makes a difference in the number of sinks you should have.

If you have room in your kitchen, you might want to consider more than one sink, suggest Matthew and Cheri Clarkson of Soaring Eagle Homes in Camas. The Clarksons know something about creating a pleasing kitchen. Their entry into the 2002 Parade of Homes won numerous awards, including best of show and best kitchen.

Matthew Clarkson said the buzzword they are hearing in the industry is "kitchen-centric."

A common saying is that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and more and more house designs are being geared around that concept, he said.

Kitchens are also social gathering places, adds Cheri Clarkson, and with larger kitchens comes the opportunity to have more than just one sink.

"I am seeing the idea of sinks that do two different functions. A cleanup area with a sink, and another for food prep," she said.

As far as prep sinks, there are many options available. There are long trough sinks that can double as a food preparation and beverage center. A Kohler tray sink, for example, is just a couple of inches deep and makes a good place to prepare veggies.

Myriad of material choices

What material the sink is made out of also is important. Stainless steel may be a popular look for many, but Skidmore says shoppers should also consider the quality of water going INTO the sink.

"I have noticed with customers, a lot of people think they like the steel look. But it generally shows water spots," he said. "I live out in Vancouver, and, well, the water is really hard there."

Skidmore went with a Blanco Silgranit series sink, which is granite composite. He likes it not only because of its ease of cleaning, but also because of its durability.

"It doesn't show water spots, doesn't stain and is built tough. You drop a pan or something, and it doesn't chip," he enthused.

The price is on the higher end for sinks, generally between $300 to $500. Of course, that doesn't count some of the special order, designer sinks. Those can run $1,000 or more.

Cheri Clarkson also is intrigued with Silgranit sinks.

"If you are looking for something new and different, that is at least something I am using more," she said of Blanco's Silgranit series.

Clarkson likes the matte finish on the sinks, which are 80 percent natural granite mixed with an acrylic resin. Depending on the model, the sinks are available in white, anthracite, metallic gray or biscuit.

On the lower end of the sink price range there is American Standard's Lakeland series. It is made out of Americast-brand engineered material and has a glossy porcelain finish, Skidmore said. According to American Standard's Web site, the sink comes in 15 different colors.

"They are like fiberglass and hold up well," Skidmore said. Americast sinks generally cost between $150 and $200.

Of course, holding up well doesn't mean they are indestructible. But Skidmore said if a porcelain-finish sink does chip, you could repair it yourself with products such as PORC-a-FIX.

The risk of chippage prompts some to spend extra to get sinks that can better withstand weight.

"But that doesn't mean you can just say, 'Hey, honey, throw this into the sink real quick,'" he said.

If your heart is set on stainless steel, do your research. Thicker steel means a better chance to prevent dents and scratches and reduce noise when using the garbage disposal. The chrome and nickel content is also important, according to kitchen design sites. As is the importance of undercoating.

More than just useful

And then there is the aesthetic value of some of the sinks being made today.

"Elkay has a line of wave sinks called Mystic. We just did this in an outdoor kitchen," said Cheri Clarkson. "It just looks cool, for starters. It is a place to put food and drinks and have a water source."

Farmhouse-style sinks are popular, and Clarkson said she doesn't think they are going away.

"One thing we did this last year is put a big farmhouse sink in a house that was a little bit more country" in style, she said of the big, single-bowl sinks. "I wouldn't put it in a contemporary house. It is a kind of thing you accent the look and feel of the home with."

There are other options out there, including metals such as copper and bronze.

"They tend to be much higher end ... very high maintenance," Clarkson said. "Some of them are show pieces, like a butler's pantry."

Clarkson has worked with concrete as a sink material and calls it "a unique animal."

"If you are doing concrete, part of the nature of it is that it is going to show wear. It changes and transforms," she said. "I've read some interesting articles on it. If you are really fastidious of your counter looking perfect, you are not a client for it."

What to consider when picking out a kitchen sink

How much room do you have to install the sink? How you use your sink will help determine what size and how many bowls you'll need. For every inch of sink, you'll lose an inch of counter space.

What material best suits your needs? Look for materials that are durable and retain their appearance through years of use.

How would you like it mounted? You have a number of choices when it comes to how you mount your sink. Countertop construction and the material you choose for the sink will factor heavily into the decision.

What shape and size would be most practical? Average dimensions for kitchen sinks are around 33-by-22 inches. If you need to use the sink for cleaning vegetables or washing dishes, pick a sink that's wide enough to provide plenty of workspace and deep enough for odd-sized pots and pans.

Consider more than one sink, such as a salad or prep sink, to increase workspace and accommodate multiple cooks in the house.

What features should you consider?

Drain position: Sinks with rear or offset drain positions have pipes at the back, creating more cabinet space underneath. If your sink doesn't come with one, you'll need a drain strainer.

Accessories: If you find yourself short of counter space, look for sinks with custom-fitted cutting boards. Some units also accommodate colanders and drain baskets.

Holes: Sinks typically have between one and five holes. The primary sink hole is for your faucet. Secondary holes can accommodate spray hoses, filtered or instant hot water dispensers, soap dispensers and other items. And be sure to pair your sink with a faucet that provides the style and functionality you desire.

Source: Home Depot

Features, Maker determine Prices

There seem to be as many different prices for kitchen sinks as there are options. Size, material, mounting, brand name and more all play a role. And expect to pay more for a special-order version.

Linda Dougan, a sales associate for the Northeast Andresen Road Home Depot's kitchen design center, took a look at some of the single-bowl sink options out there and ran down some price ranges.

Stainless steel: Runs between $200 and $800. But there is an Elkay 16-gauge stainless steel undermount sink reminiscent of a stream -- 51 inches long, 13 inches wide and 7 inches deep that curves -- that will set you back $1,421.

Composite: In the $219 range up to $1,785.

Copper sink: Farmhouse sink with an apron front, $2,124. A stainless steel version costs $1,500.

Americast: Between $250 and $500.

Cast iron: Kohler brand runs from $200 to $600, although you can get one for around $169 and $179.

Fireclay: An undermount apron front runs as much as $1,400.

Solid surface: Corian single bowl is in the $400 range. Double bowls usually around $550.

Kitchen sink types

Undermounted: Attached underneath the countertop.

Integral: Sink and countertop are made from one material. No visible seams on the surface.

Self-rimming/flush mounted: Rolled edge mounted over the countertop.

Rimmed: Flat metal strip used to seat the sink to the countertop.

Tile-in: Used with tile countertops so there is no visible separation between sink and surface. However, you can undermount porcelain tile and granite tile, as well.

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