Butler Sink

Glossary A to Z

The words, in plain language

Terms: 25

A bright farmhouse kitchen with a white butler sink set into a wooden worktop, a brass bridge tap and a window above.

B

  • Butler sink

    A butler sink is a deep, rectangular kitchen sink with a single large bowl, traditionally made of glazed ceramic. Its depth suits washing large pots, roasting tins and trays, and many have a thick front face that stands in line with the cabinet doors. Modern versions come in several materials and layouts, so the name describes a shape, not a standard size: always check the maker's specification for the exact dimensions, weight and fitting requirements of the model you like. See also: Fireclay, Exposed front, Single bowl, Base unit.

  • Bridge mixer

    A bridge mixer is a tap that pairs two separate taps with a connecting pipe that ends in a single spout. It offers the traditional look of pillar taps with the practical mixed flow of a mixer. Two holes are needed, and their centres must be spaced to match the tap exactly, so check the measurement in the tap's specification against the sink's holes, or against the worktop if it is fixed there. See also: Pillar tap, Monobloc tap, Tap hole.

  • Basket-strainer waste

    A basket-strainer waste is a larger waste fitting with a removable basket that traps food scraps and a plug that seals the outlet. It protects pipework from blockages and is popular in kitchens, particularly with deep bowls that hold a lot of water. Clean the basket regularly, because food residue builds up there first, and check that the fitting suits the sink's outlet size and, where there is one, its overflow connection. See also: Waste, Overflow, Trap.

  • Base unit

    A base unit is the kitchen cabinet that sits beneath the sink and supports it. For a heavy butler sink it must be strong, level and the right size, and it may need reinforcement or replacing, particularly if it has been damp. Standard units are not always built for heavy ceramic, so check the sink maker's published weight and support guidance and ask a qualified installer to assess the cabinet before you order. See also: Exposed front, Fireclay, Cut-out template.

C

  • Composite sink

    A composite sink is made from mineral particles, such as quartz or granite dust, bound with resin and moulded rather than fired. Composite sinks come in many colours, often in muted matt tones, and usually feel warmer and quieter than metal. Some resins can be marked by very hot pans placed straight on the surface, and darker matt finishes can show limescale, so follow the care guide and use only approved cleaners. The classic exposed-front shape is more often found in ceramic. See also: Stainless steel sink, Fireclay, Glaze.

  • Cut-out template

    A cut-out template is a pattern or drawing, supplied by the maker, showing the size and shape of the opening needed in a worktop or cabinet. Following it closely avoids costly mistakes when fitting inset or undermount sinks, because a cut that is too large cannot be undone. Ask for the template or installation guide before you buy and share it with your installer, who will check the dimensions on site before cutting anything. See also: Inset sink, Undermount sink, Exposed front.

D

  • Double bowl

    A double bowl is a sink with two equal basins side by side, separated by a wall. It lets you wash in one basin and rinse in the other, or keep one side clear for food preparation, which suits households that wash mostly by hand. Because the overall width is shared, each bowl is narrower than a single bowl of the same total width, large pans may not fit comfortably, and two wastes and more cabinet space are needed. See also: Single bowl, One-and-a-half bowl, Spout reach, Trap.

E

  • Exposed front

    An exposed front is a design in which the thick front face of the sink is visible in the kitchen, standing flush with or just proud of the cabinet doors. It gives the classic butler look and lets you stand close to the bowl, but the cabinet must be made or altered to suit it, and because gaps show, the cut must be neat and accurate. The visible face is also open to knocks and splashes. See also: Butler sink, Base unit, Cut-out template, Undermount sink.

F

  • Fireclay

    Fireclay is a type of clay that is shaped, glazed and fired at high temperature to make a hard, dense body, and it is widely used for traditional butler sinks. It gives a classic look and a smooth, glossy surface, but it is heavy and can chip if struck hard, for example by a dropped pan. The names fireclay, ceramic and vitreous china are sometimes used loosely, so ask the seller what a sink is actually made from and how it is glazed. See also: Glaze, Base unit, Exposed front.

G

  • Glaze

    A glaze is the glassy coating fused onto ceramic during firing. It makes the surface smooth, shiny and easier to clean, and a good glaze resists everyday scrubbing. If it is chipped or worn, the body beneath can be exposed and may collect dirt or stains. Harsh scouring powders and hard pads can dull a glaze over time, so use the cleaners the maker approves; grey streaks left by metal pans are often surface deposits rather than damage. See also: Fireclay, Composite sink, Sealant.

I

  • Inset sink

    An inset sink, also called drop-in, is lowered into a cut-out in the worktop, with a lip resting on the surface. It is a widely understood method, so many installers are familiar with it, and it suits many worktop materials as long as the cut edges are sealed. The visible rim can trap crumbs and moisture along the join, and the opening must match the maker's template exactly. See also: Cut-out template, Sealant, Undermount sink, Sit-on sink.

M

  • Monobloc tap

    A monobloc tap is a mixer tap that combines hot and cold supplies in one body with a single spout, usually needing just one hole, which makes it simple and tidy. It lets you adjust temperature at the spout and comes in traditional and modern styles. Before ordering, check the hole diameter, the thickness of the surface it is fixed through and the height and reach of the spout against your bowl. See also: Pillar tap, Bridge mixer, Tap hole, Spout reach.

O

  • One-and-a-half bowl

    A one-and-a-half bowl is a layout that combines a full-size main bowl with a smaller secondary bowl alongside. The large side handles pans and trays, while the small side serves for rinsing, vegetables or scraps, so it suits people who want a big working space and some separation. It generally needs a wider cabinet than a single bowl with the same main bowl, so compare the overall external width with the space you have measured. See also: Single bowl, Double bowl, Base unit.

  • Overflow

    An overflow is a channel that carries excess water away if the sink fills too high, preventing spills over the rim. Some butler sinks have an overflow slot, usually near the top of the back wall, and others have none, which reduces connections but means a running tap must not be forgotten. The waste must be compatible with the overflow connection, and a tap placed close to the slot should not block it. See also: Waste, Basket-strainer waste, Trap.

P

  • Pillar tap

    A pillar tap is a tap with a single water supply, hot or cold, used in pairs with one for each. Pillar taps suit traditional kitchens, but they do not mix water at the spout, so you may fill the bowl with warm water rather than adjust it as it runs. Each tap needs its own hole in the sink or worktop, and the spacing between the holes matters. Check the specification of the sink for the number of holes. See also: Monobloc tap, Bridge mixer, Tap hole.

S

  • Stainless steel sink

    A stainless steel sink is pressed or fabricated from stainless steel. It is lighter than ceramic, so it asks less of the cabinet, and it resists chipping, but it can show fine scratches and water marks, particularly on a mirror finish; brushed or satin finishes tend to hide wear better. Thin steel can be noisy under a running tap unless the underside is sound-deadened. Thickness and finish vary between makers, so read the specification before buying. See also: Composite sink, Base unit, Sealant.

  • Single bowl

    A single bowl is a sink layout with one large basin and no divider. It gives the most room for big items such as roasting tins, large saucepans and oven trays, and it is simple to clean, with one waste and no dividing wall to scrub around. It offers no separate space for rinsing, so you may need a washing-up bowl or a rack. It is often the most useful layout when a dishwasher handles most crockery. See also: Double bowl, One-and-a-half bowl, Waste.

  • Sit-on sink

    A sit-on sink rests on top of the cabinet or on a base within it, with its rim standing above the surrounding surface and the worktop cut to fit around it or placed beside it. It can be a practical choice when retrofitting a sink into an existing cabinet and has a traditional scullery look. The join between the rim and the worktop must be sealed and kept clean to avoid grime, and the raised rim increases the working height. See also: Inset sink, Sealant, Base unit.

  • Spout reach

    Spout reach is the horizontal distance a tap spout extends from its base. With adequate reach, water lands in the centre of the bowl; too short a spout leaves the front of the basin dry. Height matters too: there should be room to fit your largest pan under the spout without it splashing excessively. On double-bowl sinks, a swivelling spout with enough reach is useful for serving both sides. See also: Monobloc tap, Double bowl, Tap hole.

  • Sealant

    Sealant is a flexible waterproof material used to close the joins between the sink, worktop and wall. Good sealing stops water creeping into the cabinet, where it can swell chipboard and some timber worktops. Sealant can crack, peel or blacken with age, so check it regularly and ask a professional about replacing it when it fails. Use products suited to your sink and worktop materials, and ask the worktop supplier how to seal cut edges. See also: Inset sink, Undermount sink, Sit-on sink.

T

  • Tap hole

    A tap hole is a pre-formed opening in a sink or worktop for fixing a tap. The number, diameter and spacing of the holes decide which taps fit: a sink may have none, one or two, or a rear ledge made for a tap. Check these figures in the specification before choosing a tap. Never enlarge or drill holes in ceramic without specialist advice, because a sink that took weeks to arrive can crack. See also: Pillar tap, Monobloc tap, Bridge mixer, Wall-mounted tap.

  • Trap

    A trap is a curved section of pipe beneath the sink that holds a small amount of water. This water seal stops drain smells rising into the room. It needs space within the cabinet, and a deep bowl or a second bowl leaves less room beneath, so check that the trap and pipework will fit before you buy. Fitting should be done by a competent installer who follows the sink maker's instructions and the water rules for your area. See also: Waste, Double bowl, Base unit.

U

  • Undermount sink

    An undermount sink is fixed beneath the worktop so that the worktop edge overhangs the bowl, giving clean lines and letting you wipe crumbs straight in. It needs a worktop material that tolerates exposed cut edges and constant moisture at the opening, careful sealing and secure support from below. Untreated timber, for example, may be unsuitable unless sealed to the maker's advice. Not every butler sink is made for undermounting, so check the instructions before buying. See also: Inset sink, Sealant, Base unit.

W

  • Wall-mounted tap

    A wall-mounted tap is a tap that comes out of the wall above the sink instead of from the sink or worktop. It keeps surfaces clear, makes cleaning easier and suits sinks with no tap holes, but the pipework must be planned before the wall is finished and tiled, and its position fixes the tap's height and reach, so measure carefully. Discuss the plan with a qualified plumber before work begins. See also: Tap hole, Spout reach, Monobloc tap.

  • Waste

    The waste is the outlet at the bottom of the bowl and the fittings that connect it to the drainage pipework. Waste fittings come in different sizes and types, such as plug-and-chain, pop-up or basket-strainer, and they must match the diameter of the sink's outlet hole and any overflow connection. A mismatch is a common cause of leaks, so ask the seller to confirm that the waste you choose suits the exact sink model. See also: Overflow, Basket-strainer waste, Trap.