Kitchen Sink Guide: Stainless Steel vs Granite, Top Mount vs Undermount

The kitchen sink is the hardest working thing in most kitchens. It is also one of the harder things to change later, because it is built into the countertop. A few minutes of thinking now saves a lot of hassle.

There are really three decisions: the material, how it is mounted, and how many bowls you need.

1. Stainless steel or granite?

Stainless steel is hygienic, handles hot pots, and lasts for years. Look for AISI 304 grade.

Granite composite, such as Hansgrohe SilicaTec, is quieter than steel, resists scratches and stains, and comes in solid colours such as stone grey.

Neither is wrong. Steel is the practical all-rounder; granite is the choice if you want colour and a quieter sink.

2. Top mount or undermount?

A top mount sink drops into the cut-out and its rim rests on the worktop. It is simple to fit and simple to replace.

An undermount sink is fixed below a stone or solid surface top, so there is no rim to catch dirt and you can wipe crumbs straight in. It needs a suitable worktop and more careful installation.

3. One bowl or two?

A long single bowl fits woks, baking trays and large pots. A double bowl lets you soak and rinse, or prep and wash, at the same time. As a rough guide, a single bowl fits a 60cm cabinet and most double bowls need a 90cm cabinet. Always check the cut-out and cabinet size on the product page.

Small details worth checking

• Corners: tight 10mm corners look sharp and modern; rounder corners are easier to clean.
• Tap hole: some sinks have one pre-drilled, others need the tap on the worktop.
• Waste and trap: some sinks include them, which saves buying them separately.

And the tap

A pull-out spray makes rinsing a big sink much easier. If the sink sits under a window, choose a low spout or a mixer that can be laid flat. Browse kitchen sinks and kitchen taps and mixers.

Frequently asked questions

Will a granite sink crack if I put a hot pot in it?

Quality granite composite sinks handle everyday kitchen heat, but it is best not to leave very hot pans sitting in the sink for long periods.

What size sink fits a 60cm cabinet?

Most single bowl sinks are designed for a 60cm cabinet. Check the minimum cabinet size on the product page before you buy.

Get help choosing

Not sure what fits? Bring a photo and your measurements to any Lucky Khoon showroom and our team will help you pick the right model. We are an authorised dealer for the brands we carry, and our in-house installation team can supply and install for you.

• Enterprise One: 1 Kaki Bukit Road 1 #01-01 to #01-05, Singapore 415934. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6346 2172
• Tradehub 21: 24 Boon Lay Way #01-72/73, Singapore 609969. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6795 1862
• TOTO Boutique, Oxley Bizhub: 61 Ubi Road 1 #01-10, Singapore 408727. Tel: +65 6320 3778

Opening hours are on our contact page.