What Is the Best Drop-In Kitchen Sink?

What Is the Best Drop-In Kitchen Sink?

If you’re currently taking on a kitchen remodel, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of sink choices available on the market today. Aside from all the fine details, like finish, color, or pairing faucets, there is a wide array of sink styles – with drop-in sinks being one of the most widely available options.

Before you decide to install a drop-in sink in your kitchen, it’s important to learn more about them, along with their pros and cons and what is the best drop-in kitchen sink for 2021.

What is a Drop-In Kitchen Sink?

Also referred to as overmount sinks, top-mount sinks, and self-rimming sinks, drop-in kitchen sinks are simply sink basins that are installed through the top of your kitchen counter, resting on it as well. They feature a visible lip around the perimeter of the sink that sits just outside of the sink cut-out. This lip is what supports a drop-in sink, in addition to a number of clips underneath that attach the sink to the underside of the countertop.

What Drop-In Kitchen Sink Styles Are Available?

Fortunately, drop-in kitchen sinks are available in a wide array of options to fit the style of your home and your personal preferences.

• Double-basin sinks are considered the most popular style of drop-in kitchen sinks out there, which are closely followed by their single-basin counterparts.
• Three-bowl drop-in sinks feature a third sink for a distinct shape and additional space. These are most commonly found in commercial kitchens, but stylized models can also be found for residential purposes.
• Some kitchen sink manufacturers also produce double-basin drop-in sinks with low dividers, which are essentially a cross between single and double sinks.
• Consider a drainboard sink if you want more functionality out of your drop-in sink. These styles are outfitted with a cutting board and draining section built into the rim.
• For unique kitchen layouts, there are a few kitchen sink manufacturers that offer corner mounting drop-in kitchen sinks.

Drop-In Sink Materials

Among all the kitchen sink material options, stainless steel is the most popular. Constructed out of a combination of nickel, chromium, and steel, this material is both durable and cost-effective. Stainless steel drop-in kitchen sinks are typically categorized based on their thickness – ranging from 22-gauge to 16-gauge. The lower the gauge, the thicker the sink. Although thicker stainless steel sinks offer more durability, they are also more expensive.

If you prefer something other than stainless steel, drop-in kitchen sinks can also be found made out of stone. Stone overmount basins are typically made from one material or a composite of multiple. Popular stone options for drop-in kitchen sinks include quartz, granite, marble, and soapstone. Although stone sinks are more durable than stainless steel, certain chemicals can destroy the protective finish and ruin both the durability and appearance of the sink.

Additional drop-in kitchen sink materials include ceramic, cast iron, acrylic and copper, although they’re less common than steel and stone.

Pros and Cons of Drop-In Kitchen Sinks

When it comes to kitchen applications, drop-in sinks offer a number of advantages over other designs:

Pros of Drop-in Kitchen Sinks

• Affordability and easy installation. Drop-in sinks are usually more inexpensive to buy and easier to install that undermount kitchen sinks. The average DIYer should have no issues installing a standard drop-in sink. If cost is a factor for you, opting for a drop-in sink with a DIY install is an excellent way to stay on budget.
• Basin is easy to clean. Caring and maintaining your sink on a regular basis is important to the health of any sink. Fortunately, the basin of a drop-in sink is much easier to clean than an undermount sink basin.
• Protects edges of sink cut-out. This is especially beneficial if you have soft countertops. These sinks offer more protection for stone countertops, preventing buildup of water on the edges of the stone.When it comes to laminate countertops, though, a drop-in sink is your only option as they are not strong enough to support an undermount sink.

Cons of Drop-in Kitchen Sinks

• Take up a lot of counter space. The overhang on a drop-in sink takes up a considerable amount of precious counter space. If you have a small kitchen, you’ll be losing necessary space for food prep.
• More difficult to clean surrounding countertop. Although the basin may be easier to clean, drop-in sinks make it cumbersome to clean your countertops. They don’t allow for food, debris, and water to be easily wiped into the sink, which can lead to buildup of food particles, mold, and mildew in the area where the overhang meets your countertop.
• Less aesthetically pleasing than undermount sinks. If you’re designing a more high-end space, a drop-in sink may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option. Not to mention, these sinks do nothing to increase the resale value of a home.

What Is the Best Drop-In Kitchen Sink?

With the features, materials, styles, and pros and cons of drop-in kitchen sinks in mind, what is the best drop-in kitchen sink available today? The answer to this question is entirely subjective, as the ideal drop-in kitchen sink will depend on your cooking and cleaning habits, personal preference, style, and individual needs. Although there are so many different models and manufacturers to choose from, finding the best drop-in kitchen sink doesn’t have to be difficult.

Need help finding the best drop-in kitchen sink for your home? Contact the experts at Anytime Plumbing today! We’ll help you narrow down your options and choose the best drop-in kitchen sink for you and your family’s needs. We will even install it for you at an affordable rate! Our plumbing technicians have several years of experience in the industry and are available 24/7 for all your plumbing needs in Santa Cruz County, and beyond.

Call us today at (831) 431-6593 to speak with one of our dedicated plumbing professionals.