HELPFUL DESCRIPTIONS

We use a number of terms/phrases in the business and this page explains the meaning of some of these words:

SINKS
Composite Sinks
This describes a material, usually made from a mixture of ground granite and a sort of resin to make kitchen sinks.

* The higher the percentage of ground granite in the mixture, the colder to the touch the material feels. Although it looks speckled the surface is generally very smooth, this avoids dirt, stains and lime scale build up. Set into or under a worktop this material rarely gets chipped or scratched. You can use diluted bleach to clean.

Generally only available in a speckled matt finish rarely produced in one clear colour.

Ceramic Sinks
This describes a natural product made from clay. The clay is moulded to the shape of a sink then fired in a kiln.

A coloured glaze is applied and then the sink is returned to the kiln for a final firing.

* The material is cold, shiny and smooth to the touch. Colours are available both speckled or as one clear colour.

Bleach can be used to clean its surface.

Even though a modern ceramic sink is manufactured to higher and tougher standards than they used to be, none the less if you drop something heavy on its surface it can chip. It is very heavy to lift or transport.

Stainless Steel Sinks
This is a material that cannot rust. Sinks come in various thickness or gauges of stainless steel: thin, medium and thick: Thin sounds ‘pingy’ when you lean on it and it ‘pops’ in and out.

Finishes: It is available in brushed, matt, micro texture, linen or shiny hand polished finishes.

Deep Bowls: A cheap sink is pressed out in one go from thin steel and always comes with shallow bowls.

To make a quality sink with a deep bowl, bowls have be pressed from a thicker stainless steel and then welded on to the thick sink top. So when the manufacturer says a sink is a certain gauge, they mean that gauge all over.

* A good stainless steel sink will last a lifetime and it could sit in your garden for twenty years and never rust.

Things that drop onto it may rust or rot but stainless steel cannot, so just clean the surface. ! It does not matter what finish it started as, the surface of all stainless sinks will scratch. Textured finishes reduce to a minimum, visible scratching. Do not use an abrasive cleaner. Do not put bleach, vinegar or acids on it.

Cast Iron Sinks
This is a material that is made from cast iron. It is the strongest of all glazed materials, bowls can be very deep.

* It is less likely to chip than a ceramic sink. Bleach can be used to clean its surface.

! Price - it costs more than other sinks.

Inset Sinks
This is a type of sink that is set into a hole in a worktop.

First a hole 100mms smaller than the sink must be cut in the worktop and then the sink placed into the hole.

* The drainers on inset sinks do not drop below the thickness of the worktop therefore you can place drawers, washing machines, tumble driers, dishwashers, fridges or any other built under appliance under its drainer area.

It always has to have a worktop to set it into, for support.

Sit-on Sinks
This is a type of sink that needs to sit straight onto a base unit for support.

* It does not need any worktop for support so saves the cost of a worktop.

! It is available in very limited lengths. It needs a base unit underneath which measures exactly the same as the sink.

Roll-top Sinks
This describes a sit on sink that has a front edge or profile which is has a rounded shape.

Undermounted Sinks
This is a type of sink that hangs below the worktop. It can only be fitted to the underside of worktops made from granite, marble or frequently oiled wood. The manufacturers of worktops made from manmade materials must specify that these sinks can be fitted.

* The worktops appear longer and uncluttered. Grooves cut into granite mean that no drainers are required.

! If bowl holes in the worktops are cut too small, accessories such as baskets and chopping boards will not fit into the sink bowls. It must be firmly fixed to the worktops for the sink bowls become heavy when filled with water.

Belfast or Butler Sinks
This is a type of sink that is freestanding made from fireclay ceramic with an exposed front edge.

* Its easily cleaned with bleach, with very deep bowls.

! Its front edge in particular can easily be chipped.

TAPS

Pressure
You will read certain advice placed next to each tap and they are all talking about water pressure: dribble or jet? They say: Operates on ‘a gravity fed system’ or ‘requires a high pressure system or 5 metres head of water’.

Every tap needs a certain amount of water going through it to work. Now answer these questions about your home.

Question 1 Have you a nice new combination boiler [pressure system] fitted in your home?
If the answer is yes, then generally you can choose any tap they will all work fine. If no, answer Q2.

Question 2 Do you live in a] a bungalow b] a flat c] a two storey house and the kitchen is downstairs?
If your answer is a] or b] generally you should choose taps with two handles or levers.

If your answer is c] generally you should choose any tap without attached sprays or brushes.

Pumps
However, if you want to have one of those modern elaborate taps you can have a pump fitted under your sink that will increase your hot water pressure. You can buy that pump from us at a cost of £150.

Valves
Kitchen taps have either Compression Valves that screw up and down or Ceramic Valves that open or close so releasing the water. The later are more modern and better suited to hard water areas. We do not sell valves on the internet. However, if you take your old kitchen valve and tap head to our Ilford shop you will receive old fashioned service with a smile from one of the few places you can obtain kitchen tap valves. But only Kitchen valves please.

Single Separate Taps
This describes two separate taps set into two holes in a sink.

! They do not move so are only suitable for over a single bowl. Not good if you want to use large pots and pans.

Shoulder or Deck Mixers Taps
This describes a tap that needs to fit into two holes in the sink. The hot and cold are linked together and a tap nozzle in the middle can be swung from side to side. Some shoulder taps are available with off set moveable legs to adjust to fit French sinks that have tap holes with non standard centres.

* Useful if you’re still in love with your old sit on sink with two tap holes. Nice in ceramic Butler sinks.

! These are uncommon so not cheap to buy. If you have very good water pressure the old types will leak.

Monoblock Taps
This describes a tap that needs to fit into one hole in the sink. It has a hot and cold handle either side of the nozzle.

* A perfect cheaper tap choice.

! Some of these are still made with the old screw down valves inside which do not wear well in hard water areas.

Single Lever Taps
A monoblock tap that controls the water by moving the lever in and out and from side to side for hot or cold .

* Easy to use when your hands are covered with flour etc. so the tap doesn’t get ‘mucky. You can use your elbow or the back of your hand to turn the water on or off. If you have stiff fingers it’s the ideal choice.

! Not to be used in a bungalow with an old fashioned gravity fed water system the hot water would just dribble out.

Separate Sprays
This describes a spray accessory that needs to fit into one hole in the sink adjacent to the tap.

* Great for rinsing those bubbles off the dishes.

! Another hole in the sink will be needed to fit the tap into.

Pullout Spray Tap
This describes a monoblock tap that combines a tap with a pullout spray. It acts like a normal tap until you pull it out. Some have a button you can press to change from full flow to a fine spray.

* A great tap, such fun and useful to use to rinse things. Usually a very well made quality product.

! You must have good water pressure to fit them.

Filter Taps
This describes a Monoblock tap. The filter under the tap acts to remove salts and minerals from your cold water to make the water fit to drink. After fitting you register and every six months will be reminded to change the filter.

* Saves you money and your back as you don’t have to carry bottled water home from the supermarket anymore.

! You must change the filter every six months as bacteria will start to grow after then.

Hot Water Taps
This describes a separate tap that produces water sufficiently hot enough to make tea etc.
* Saves you putting the kettle, you can make coffee anytime.
! Be careful this is hot, so don’t scold yourself.