Tips On Buying A New Kitchen Sink - Lottare

FOR BEST RESULTS, ALWAYS GO STAINLESS STEEL    

Are you thinking about getting a new kitchen sink?  If so, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you being your new sink home.  By following these few tips, you can save a lot of time, money and effort.

TIPS ON BUYING A NEW KITCHEN SINK

1) Choose quality: In the end, choosing a quality sink will always cost you less over the long haul than choosing a cheaper version.  While the initial cost of acquisition is usually higher, you won’t have to worry about replacing it for many years.  Stainless steel is a favorite for its clean look and durability.

2) Pay attention to the gauge: When it comes to stainless steel, the gauge of the steel will be directly related to the quality of the sink.  Those that are too thin will dent and scratch easily; resulting in a need to replace the sink much more quickly than if you choose a heavier gauge.  Most experts recommend that you choose a sink that is 16-18 gauge steel in order to avoid this particular pitfall.  Be equipped to handle heavier items. Your best bet, stay within the 16-18 gauge range.

3) Choose a sink that has a lot of depth.  The reason for this is that you will need the extra space to prepare meals, place dishes for washing and many other things.  The more shallow the sink, the less working space you have, forcing you to rely on counter space.  If this isn’t a luxury you can afford, make sure that you get a deep enough basin. Most experts recommend having a sink that has a 9 inch basin.

4) What is the purity of the steel? The more steel your sink has in it, the more durable it is.  This is why it is important to know what has gone into the making of your sink before you buy it.  So, how do you know how much steel is in your sink?  Simply take a magnet with you to the store and check to see if the sink is magnetic.  If not, stay away from it as it will not include enough steel to be durable enough for your needs.  Don’t shortchange yourself by choosing a sink that includes too many contaminants in the manufacturing process and stick with those that are a higher quality.

5) Have you heard of the thump test? This is a test that you can perform to get the highest quality from your new sink. High quality stainless steel sinks will have a rubbery under-coating and pads. Why? This will cause the sound of running water to go silent. It also has an effect on the silverware too.

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When to Replace Your Kitchen Sink

SHOULD I REPLACE MY KITCHEN SINK?

Are you thinking about replacing your kitchen sink?

If so, there are a few things that you should know before heading out to your local hardware retail outlet. Below is a list of items that you need to be aware of, before you put out the money. 

1) What is the story behind your tailpiece? This is important. Unless you plan on replacing all of your existing plumbing, you’ll need to ensure that your new sink will match up to your existing tailpiece and other plumbing fixtures.  If you aren't sure, contact a professional in order to ensure that you understand what sink will work for your particular needs.  

2) Is you new sink going to cover everything? Measuring your sink opening is necessary to ensure that you are buying the right sink for your needs.  The last thing you’re going to want to do is buy a new countertop to accommodate your new sink.  And having ugly gaps in your existing countertop is simply unappealing.  Measure twice and buy once in order to save time, money and a lot of frustration.  Once again, if you are concerned about your ability to measure and choose the right sink for your existing space, call in a professional who can help.  

3) Have you had water leaks in your old plumbing?  If so, your countertop and cabinetry may have become damaged due to water exposure and your new sink may not fit properly.  Look for water stains along the rim of the countertop and under the sink in the cabinet to see whether if there is evidence of previous water leaks.  If so, you should consider replacing your countertop and cabinet as well.  If not, you should be good to go.  

4) Buy new sealant for your new sink.  Many first timers and inexperienced DIYers will try to reuse old caulk and sealant to set the new sink.  But, this inevitably leads to leaking and faulty fitment in the new sink.  Buy new caulk and sealant and completely remove all of the old sealant before installing the new sink before installation.  

5) If you do install a new sink, take the time to inspect and flush out the existing plumbing.  It is a rare opportunity that you will get the option of cleaning your plumbing, so take it when you can.  Completely flush out your existing plumbing before hooking up new supply lines or other new plumbing.  This will ensure that you don’t wind up with clogs or leaks later.  

6) Do you have enough holes? Last but not least, when you are selecting your sink, you will need to ensure that the new sink has the same number of access holes as the old one.  Otherwise, you might not be able to reuse your existing hardware such as your faucet or sprayer.  Make sure that you have the same number of holes or plan to purchase the additional hardware you need to make it work.

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Common Mistakes Designing A Kitchen

Designing your kitchen can be a challenging, yet fun and exciting task. Whether you know what you are doing or not, there are some guidelines you should keep in mind. Here is a short list of what not to do.

THE NOT-TO-DO LIST: THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES THAT OTHERS HAVE MADE

1) Copy Kitchen Designs. One of the biggest mistakes that many do-it-yourself kitchen designers make is that they fail to allow their own personality to shine through their kitchen design.  Rather, they attempt to copy a design they've seen in a magazine or on a website.  Have some fun with your kitchen project and be creative.  Make your kitchen your own.

2) Hanging Cabinets Below the Ceiling Line.  Another big mistake that many novice kitchen designers make in their kitchen designs is hanging their cabinets too low.  Not only does this shortchange you when it comes to storage space in the kitchen, the void above the cabinets tends to get dirty and cluttered with unnecessary items.  Rather than to fall into this trap, simply purchase and install kitchen cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling.

3) Cluttering the Kitchen. Ever heard the phrase: less is more?  This is savvy advice for many aspects of your life, including your kitchen design.  You will be better served by keeping your design simple, yet functional rather than trying to cram too much into your design.

4) Adding too much stainless steel.  The latest and greatest craze in kitchen design is stainless steel.  However, with so many options for adding stainless steel to your design, it’s easy to go overboard and lose the visual appeal.  Add stainless steel appliances and balance it with a natural stone or tile backsplash and flooring solution.  Or add a stainless steel counter top and stick with black appliances and vinyl flooring.

5) Going bigger is not always the better solution. If you have a small kitchen, why not make it work for you? As long as you are using the best materials and are putting thoughtful detail into the design, having a small kitchen can actually have its advantages.  The trick is to make the space work in your favor.  Make the best use of both your horizontal and vertical space and keep your design simple in order to make the most of your small kitchen.

6) Less is more. Don't go overboard with accessories or with cabinets in a small kitchen. It's okay to have some main ideas in the kitchen, but the space in your kitchen is your most precious commodity.  Putting too many accessories, appliances of other design elements into a small kitchen will overwhelm it and make it look cluttered.

7) Stick with the good stuff.  Whether your kitchen is large or small, investing in quality appliances and design elements will not only make your kitchen look classy, but ensure that your kitchen will serve you well for many years to come.

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