Recommendations for sink/faucet in kitchen upgrade?

[AndrewR]

We're doing granite in the kitchen in the near future (0-3 months), and I've been researching kitchen sinks and faucets but have made little headway. While I immediately thought Kohler for the sink, given the brand recognition, it seems that they may not have the most sterling reputation anymore across the board. We bought a Kohler toilet recently, and while it's a decent one, they have plenty of dogs in their lineup apparently. Makes me wonder about their other products as well.

So, what brands should I consider for a sink? We're looking for a double bowl undermount and are ambivalent about the material. We originally were thinking about cast iron (grey to black color), but we're entirely open to stainless -- no acrylic. Deep bowls, maybe 8" or so. Elkay, Blanco, others? I think the minimum is 18 gauge from what I've read so far.

Retailers? Faucet maker recommendations?

Price for the sink...$500-700 or so. Faucet...nothing extravagent.

 

[JulesMaximus]

We bought one about a year ago when we had our granite countertops put in. The sink is a double bowl stainless steel sink, 18 gauge with sound deadening material. It is near silent when running the disposal unit. The sink we bought simply has an e on it. It's not Elkay though, those sinks were well over $1,000. This one was a few hundred IIRC. The bowls are different size with one larger and deeper than the one with the disposal unit on it. You'll probably want to buy the sink through your counter installer so that they can cut the countertop to fit that particular sink.

Our sink is similar to this one.

I went with a Grohe faucet similar to this one.

Our kitchen after remodel.

 

[Bspendleton79]

I personally like the deep farm sinks, perfect for cleaning large heavy items, etc..... but honestly I don't know how much they cost.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
We bought one about a year ago when we had our granite countertops put in. The sink is a double bowl stainless steel sink, 18 gauge with sound deadening material. It is near silent when running the disposal unit. The sink we bought simply has an e on it. It's not Elkay though, those sinks were well over $1,000. This one was a few hundred IIRC. The bowls are different size with one larger and deeper than the one with the disposal unit on it. You'll probably want to buy the sink through your counter installer so that they can cut the countertop to fit that particular sink.

Our sink is similar to this one.

I went with a Grohe faucet similar to this one.

Our kitchen after remodel.

Wow, nice job on the remodel -- that's a beautiful kitchen. I wish we could redo the cabinets, but we're only planning to stay in this place for 5-6 years so it's silly to rip out the fairly good quality oak cabinets when the countertops are the only part needing replacement.

Where did you buy your sink, from that site? As for the counter installer, every one I've talked to doesn't care where the sink comes from as long as I have it when they're ready to start (most will template on site, from what I understand).

Thanks for the advice.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Bspendleton79
I personally like the deep farm sinks, perfect for cleaning large heavy items, etc..... but honestly I don't know how much they cost.

They cost a crapload and require different cabinetry. Actually, my parents wanted to put one in their kitchen, but the contractor recommended against it because the apron front (which I think is what you're talking about) allows water to drip onto the lower cabinet, causing damage. Obviously, you can avoid that by cleaning up the water, but the contractor said he's seen MANY people with that problem after putting in an apron front sink.

The cheapest ones I remember seeing were $1500 or so going up to over $3000. Ouch.

 

[shiner]

Grohe are nice, but if something goes wrong with them getting parts can be a pain. Stick one of the higher end Delta faucets and it will function just as well and be easier to repair when the time comes.

 

[shiner]

Not the greatest pics, only ones I have, but here's a couple of shots of the faucet we put in the kitchen when building our new house. It is a Delta. Pretty sure the model is Allora.

pic

pic

 

[NL5]

Sinks are pretty standard - get whatever configuration you like. We have this faucet - http://www.us.kohler.com/onlin...sultPage=0--1551591838 and get compliments on it all the time. Plus, you get to laugh when friends can't figure out how to turn it on......

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
We bought one about a year ago when we had our granite countertops put in. The sink is a double bowl stainless steel sink, 18 gauge with sound deadening material. It is near silent when running the disposal unit. The sink we bought simply has an e on it. It's not Elkay though, those sinks were well over $1,000. This one was a few hundred IIRC. The bowls are different size with one larger and deeper than the one with the disposal unit on it. You'll probably want to buy the sink through your counter installer so that they can cut the countertop to fit that particular sink.

Our sink is similar to this one.

I went with a Grohe faucet similar to this one.

Our kitchen after remodel.

Wow, nice job on the remodel -- that's a beautiful kitchen. I wish we could redo the cabinets, but we're only planning to stay in this place for 5-6 years so it's silly to rip out the fairly good quality oak cabinets when the countertops are the only part needing replacement.

Where did you buy your sink, from that site? As for the counter installer, every one I've talked to doesn't care where the sink comes from as long as I have it when they're ready to start (most will template on site, from what I understand).

Thanks for the advice.

We bought it through the company that did the granite install. They measured on a Monday IIRC, cut the granite on Tuesday and installed on Wednesday. They had to cut the countertop at their warehouse and then bring the pre-cut pieces to our home to install so they brought the sink we picked out when we picked out the slab.

The install was perfect and I'd highly recommend the company that did our granite. They warehouse the granite, they cut it on site, and they install using their own employees, not sub-contracted out.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Not the greatest pics, only ones I have, but here's a couple of shots of the faucet we put in the kitchen when building our new house. It is a Delta. Pretty sure the model is Allora.

pic

pic

I think you have the same granite I have.:thumbsup:

 

[slsmnaz]

Elkay makes some very good SS sinks. Blanco, Kindred and Kohler also make good ones. You will be able to get a template out of the box for the counter guys prior to them cutting it.

Moen, Delta, PPfister, Kohler, etc. are all going to give you options once you decide price and function you want. Also, be sure to pick out all accessories before they cut your counter holes too (soap disp, filtered water, etc.)

I also recommend the wholesaler as opposed to the big box stores. They have better displays, more in-stock choices, you can save some money by buying together and they will also be more helpful (things like giving you the template before making you pickup the sink)

 

[drnickriviera]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Not the greatest pics, only ones I have, but here's a couple of shots of the faucet we put in the kitchen when building our new house. It is a Delta. Pretty sure the model is Allora.

pic

pic

I think you have the same granite I have.:thumbsup:

Looks like venetian gold to me

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Not the greatest pics, only ones I have, but here's a couple of shots of the faucet we put in the kitchen when building our new house. It is a Delta. Pretty sure the model is Allora.

pic

pic

I think you have the same granite I have.:thumbsup:

Looks like venetian gold to me

Something similar...but that's not it. Can't remember the name. The Venetian Gold was too yellow for my wife's liking.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: drnickriviera

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Not the greatest pics, only ones I have, but here's a couple of shots of the faucet we put in the kitchen when building our new house. It is a Delta. Pretty sure the model is Allora.

pic

pic

I think you have the same granite I have.:thumbsup:

Looks like venetian gold to me

Something similar...but that's not it. Can't remember the name. The Venetian Gold was too yellow for my wife's liking.

St. Cecilia

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: drnickriviera

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Not the greatest pics, only ones I have, but here's a couple of shots of the faucet we put in the kitchen when building our new house. It is a Delta. Pretty sure the model is Allora.

pic

pic

I think you have the same granite I have.:thumbsup:

Looks like venetian gold to me

Something similar...but that's not it. Can't remember the name. The Venetian Gold was too yellow for my wife's liking.

St. Cecilia

That might be it....I'll have to ask her.

I know originally she liked Crema Bordeaux, but changed her mind at the last second.

 

[skyking]

I work for a commercial plumbing contractor, and our service guys all prefer delta for parts availability and serviceability. I have used Price Pfister, delta, moen and only notice that moen will be higher priced for a similar item.

 

[AndrewR]

Anyone care to comment (skyking, would love to hear your impressions) of the reliability of the pullout sprayers (the all-in-one units, not the separate sprayer)? I've heard bad things about their reliability, which might have to do with people buying lesser priced ones, but I've also noticed that the ones at HD and Lowe's always seem to have broken buttons on them, rocker switches, etc.

We were originally strongly considering the pullout sprayers, but I've backed away given what I wrote above. Comments?