Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Kitchen sinks have come a long way from the wash basins of yesteryear. With so many to choose from, how do you decide which one is right for you? First, consider your countertop material. With laminate countertops, you ll need a top-mount or drop-in sink. If you re installing stone, composite or solid surface countertops, you could consider an undermount sink for a sleeker look and easy cleaning. Most solid surface manufacturers offer flush-mounted or integral kitchen sinks in the same material as their countertops for a seamless transition and a clean, modern look. Once you ve determined how you ll mount the sink, decide what it should be made of. To coordinate with appliances, stainless steel is a very popular and durable option. Cast-iron sinks glazed in porcelain offer a variety of colors to go with your d cor. Acrylic sinks also come in colors and are very affordable and easy to install, but they can be damaged by hot pans or boiling water. Solid surface sinks are great for durability with a modern aesthetic. For a more historic patina, consider a farmhouse or apron sink or invest in copper, zinc or soapstone. How big should you buy? Measure the width of your sink cabinet. If you have the room, consider a three-bowl sink of varying depths. It s very handy to have separate spaces for food prep, dishes and the garbage disposal. Be sure you factor in holes for all the accessories that will make your sink a more useful tool: strainers, cutting boards and dispensers for soap and filtered water. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Bob is with Andrea Johnson from Corain as Scott Lawyer of Solid Surfacetops arrives to install the shop-fabricated Corian countertops in the Punta Gorda kitchen. This counter features an integral sink that is attached to the counter by the fabricator in his shop. The seam between the sink and counter is made with liquid Corian that forms an impermeable and invisible seam between the sink and the counter. These integral sinks have no edge or grunge line, which makes for easy cleaning and a sleek look. The Canyon color chosen by the homeowners is dark, like the Porcelanosa metallic-look tile. Johnson remarks what a good job the homeowners have done matching the counter color to the tile. Bob adds that the cool, dark colors bring a soothing, cooling presence to the interior spaces of this hot-climate home. Bob then watches as the crew from Solid Surfacetops installs the counter pieces and creates an invisible seam. The two sections of Corian are fitted with wood blocks that will hold the clamps as the sections are glued with liquid Corian that matches the countertop and clamped tight to set. Once the glue has set and dried for about 25 minutes, the clamps are removed and the seam is sanded to give a seamless look to this two-piece installation.

The Franke tri-flow Corinthian faucet is being installed now that the countertop and sink are in place. The faucet features hot, cold, and filtered water. The filtration chamber has a ceramic porcelain exterior with an extruded carbon filter inside. Franke recommends that homeowners change the filters every six months. Frank Lowry of FJ Lowry Plumbing and Heating installs the faucet from underneath. The lines come dropped down and ready to attach, which makes it easy. Lowry installs the filtration system and attaches it to a wall-mounted holder. Luke Groden from Boston Basins, a Franke distributor, shows Bob the specialized ball valve with a shutoff to make filter changes simple. The braided hose that attaches the filter to the faucet has a pressure fitting that grips with stainless-steel teeth inside to withstand high water pressure without pulling apart or leaking. Lowry attaches the hoses to the filter, then solders the hot and cold points underneath.