Sinks & Taps

This category brings together kitchen sinks, matching sink and tap packs, sink wastes and replacement waste parts. Choose the sink, tap and waste together, because the bowl layout, tap holes and outlet all have to line up with each other and with the base unit underneath.

Sink layout and fitting

• Inset sinks: drop into a cut-out from above, with the rim resting on the worktop. They suit any worktop, including laminate, and usually include a drainer.
• Undermount sinks: fix beneath a solid surface such as granite, engineered stone or solid wood, leaving the cut edge of the worktop on show.
• Bowls and drainers: single and 1.5 bowl layouts are common, with the drainer on the left or right. Reversible sinks have tap holes front and back, so you choose the handing when you fit them.

Check the minimum cabinet width given for the sink, and measure the base unit. Sinks are made in stainless steel, granite composite and ceramic.

Taps and wastes

BS EN 817 covers mechanical mixer taps for sinks on supplies between 0.5 and 10 bar. Check the tap's minimum working pressure against your system: a tank-fed gravity system gives much lower pressure than a combi boiler or a mains-fed unvented cylinder. Taps on the drinking water supply must be suitable under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Many kitchen wastes are basket strainers, and spares such as waste cartridges are made for particular sink models, so match the sink model and the waste you are repairing.

For a wider choice, see kitchen sinks and taps.