Sink corners

[MelissaH]

The time has come to replace our laminate countertops with solid surface, which means it's time to replace our sink with an undermount version as well. My husband just asked me whether I wanted a sink with rounded corners, or one with square corners. I don't have a clue. Which do I want? Pros/cons of each? My knee-jerk response is that the rounder the corners, the easier it will be to keep clean, but I have no data points for comparison.

What do we need to consider in my choice of corners on our new sink?

[heidih]

I find it a lot easier to clean gunk out of a rounded corner than a square one. I also find them more aesthetically pleasing. Here is a picture of the kitchen I re-did last year - the sink cut-out in the granite is gently rounded.

[Dave the Cook]

Are we talking upper (counter-level) corners, or lower (sink-bottom) corners?

[heidih]

I thought I was missing something in the question. As Dave asks - Are you talking about a zero-radius sink like this? http://www.justsinks.com/zero-radius-sink/

[DickL]

My preference is for a sink that is integral with the counter top-- no seam between them to catch dirt, etc. We have Corian, but I believe there are several other materials available.

My other preference is for rounded corners-- as you suggest, easier to keep clean.

Dick

[Syzygies]

the sink cut-out in the granite is gently rounded.

Yes, we're just finishing a kitchen remodel, undermount and granite as you describe. It is very nice to have no obstructions, sweeping into the sink.

Our stainless steel sink is deeper than before. Took us a bit by surprise but we like it.

[IAte]

MelissaH it all depends on your preference only! I'd probably take squere sink with rounded lower corners next time for I have now round sink and I want to try something new. My friend says - you have to see it to know you like it)) maybe this will help you.

heidih one more thing that made me worry. Natural granite may contain radioactive elements. People mostly pay no attention to this fact but I think it's important to be aware of things like this. You can see here more http://www.epa.gov/radiation/tenorm/granite-countertops.html

[MelissaH]

I'm talking zero-radius vs. larger radius corners, in a stainless steel sink. We're being careful with our sink depth, because we really don't want to have to redo all the plumbing back into the wall!

Are we talking upper (counter-level) corners, or lower (sink-bottom) corners?

[IAte]

Then choose sink with larger radius corners.
I should be more usable I think and easy to clean. Still I doubt it has any other functional benefits.

[glepore]

I don't find square corners an issue, but there seems to be a trend towards overly flat bottomed sinks to get depth, and they are a pain to keep routinely clean.

[sadistick]

Squared sinks look better, but rounded is easier to clean.

I have this sink, I think its made by Moen, that is the best of both worlds, it LOOKS squared, but is not, and has a slight round edge to it which is easy to get to for cleaning.

[Syzygies]

We're being careful with our sink depth, because we really don't want to have to redo all the plumbing back into the wall!

Just checking, have you confirmed what will be hard and what will be easy, before picking your sink? You don't want to unduly constrain yourself.

Firs of all, there will be some plumbing work, to put in a new sink. And under-sink plumbing is modular. It goes from "a bit harder than changing a light bulb" to "needs a professional" as one reaches the wall, but this transition is generally out of the way of a deeper sink. (It was for us.)

[dcarch]

For those of you who are suffering with corner-phobia:

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00GjJQypYParog/Double-Bowl-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Sink-SD-903A.jpg

dcarch

[PassionateAmateur]

Think in terms of what pans you'll be wanting to wash in it. The more rounded the corners/bottom of bowl, the more you limit your ability to fit a half-sheet pan or roaster in there, which I would argue is a bigger long-term hassle than keeping the corners shiny clean.