New Home Source Blog

Today's kitchen sinks come in a variety of styles, materials and designs, like this Kallista cast iron kitchen sink designed by Mick DiGiulio.

By Camilla McLaughlin

In today’s well edited spaces, every feature counts — even the kitchen sink.

It’s no surprise that in recent years the lowly sink has been elevated to a status equal to a stove or an oven. Increasingly, it’s being called a “water appliance.” From a place to scrub pots and pans to babies and small dogs, sinks are one of the most versatile (and hardworking) elements in the kitchen.

“You may be surprised to learn that the most used appliance in the kitchen is actually the sink/faucet center,” says California sink manufacturer, Rohl, citing research that shows that, on average, the sink, faucet and complementary accessory are used 10 to 30 times a day. “More often than most other kitchen appliances experience in a week.”

Bigger is Better

“Bigger sinks are here to stay just because of the style and the way they look,” said Jake Smith, Rohl’s technical director, who along with Rohl colleague Skip Johnson led a seminar for design professionals at the recent Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas.

Smith is also quick to point out that selecting a sink depends very much on lifestyle and owners’ preferences. “There is no one perfect kitchen sink,” he explained, noting that each style and materials have different attributes and appeal. But, he cautioned, choose the wrong sink and it might not fit with the kitchen.

Choices, Choices, Choices

Courtesy of Rohl

From standbys such as stainless steel and porcelain to composites, stone and copper, the materials that kitchen sinks are made from are just the beginning of choices consumers have to make today. Configurations range from double or single bowls to long, linear shapes in traditional, modern or transitional styles. Installation options range from an apron front or farmhouse style, drop in or self-riming.

“Undermount is king today, whether it’s an apron front or a complete undermount. This is where everyone is going. It allows for the best customization,” explained Johnson.

Material-ism

Still, materials are most important factor in choosing a sink because they determine the amount of maintenance required and durability, in addition to aesthetics. Cast iron, a favorite that has been around since the 19th century, is durable, stable and nonporous. Its enameled surface allows for a huge range of colors. However, the enamel can scratch, chip and even rust especially if abrasives are used to clean it.

Composite sinks are made from granite, quartz and acrylic polyester. Lightweight, nonporous and easy to install, they can be coordinated with countertops. While they are prone to chipping, the color runs throughout the material.

The most durable sinks are fireclay sinks, made of a glaze and unique clay that fuse together when fired at extremely high temperatures. They can last for generations and require no special maintenance.

Stainless steel comes in a variety of shapes with multiple mounting options. The quality of the material can differ. Prices reflect the mount of stainless steel in the product — quality makes a difference with this material. Other options for materials include copper, which has natural antibacterial attributes. A low melting point might make it sensitive to hot pans, though.

The best way to preserve your sink — regardless of the material — is to try to avoid using abrasives on it. Instead, mild dish detergent and white vinegar are preferred.

Camilla McLaughlin is a freelance writer who specializes in real estate, house and home and luxury homes. She is a regular contributor to NewHomeSource, where you can search for and get information on new homes and new construction communities.

Smart home technology allows our home appliances and devices to alert us to problems. Photo Courtesy of Digital Trends.

By Seve Kale

Imagine receiving a text from your refrigerator alerting you that your milk is nearing its expiration date or a thermostat that communicates with your security system, automatically adapting itself depending on whether you’re home, out running errands or on a two-week vacation.

In this day and age, your favorite feature of your new home may not even be something physical, such as a luxurious master spa or a spacious back patio. Instead, you might favor one of the many new “smart home” technologies that make your new home more convenient and secure.

It’s all a part of the “Internet of Things,” a term that describes the quickly growing world of connected devices (like your thermostat or lights, yes, lights). You can control these items from a computer, mobile device and now, your vehicle, allowing you to, say, lock your front door while away from home or turn on your heater from an app on your car.

Like science fiction predicted, these technologies are quickly becoming a reality — and the possibilities are seemingly limitless. Most recently, this technology has been found in home automation and home security systems. “Between advancements in IP-based technology and a rapid increase in smartphone and tablet adoption, home security and automation systems are the future,” says Chris Black, spokesperson for AT&T. CLICK TO TWEET THIS

With so many new options, however, it’s easy to end up dazed and confused when deciding which smart technologies to implement in your home. Here are some things to consider:

How Smart?

When building your new home, its certainly worth considering just how “smart” you want it to be. Some smart features are easier to install than others and require little to no effort on your part. For example, think about installing a “smart” thermostat that can help regulate the temperature in your home, increasing your comfort level while ensuring that your system is as energy efficient as possible.

Systems such as Google's Nest or Honeywell's Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control (which we featured in a recent slideshow on the hottest products from the International Builders' Show) quickly learn your energy usage habits and adjust automatically. Did you forget to set your thermostat before going on vacation? No problem — you can access these thermostats remotely.

Security & Maintenance

In addition to added comfort and convenience, smart technologies extend to your home’s security. “Whether you work late or have a second home, being able to monitor your home provides people with a peace of mind that their homes are safe,” says Black. For instance, if you are on vacation and receive an alert saying a water leak has been detected in the basement, you can shut off the main water source with an app on your mobile device and without having to return home.

Convenience

Beyond security, convenience is also a huge factor — certain types of devices, such as security and keyless entry systems, give you the ability to allow certain guests to enter your home while you’re away. “The connected home is not only important for security while on vacation, but is also critical for occasions where you may be at work and need to let in a contractor, babysitter or dog walker,” says Arthur Orduña, ADT's chief innovation officer.

Hack Proof?

With great power comes great responsibility — and in this case, a potential for hacking. As much of this technology is still very new, it’s extremely important to make sure your data is secure. “Cloud security concerns will only deepen as the Internet of Things proliferates,” says Identity Theft Expert Robert Siciliano. “Data access, ID and authentication, legislative boundary constraints and other issues must be considered.”

Though the growing intersection between the virtual world and the real world presents a whole new host of issues, it will be exciting to watch this technology develop and adapt in the future. If you’re not already part of the growing “Internet of Things,” chances are good you’ll become familiar with some “smart” technology in your new home very soon.

Seve Kale is a writer for NewHomeSource, where you can search for and get information on new homes and new construction communities. You can find her on Google+.