You can purchase a stainless steel sink for granite countertop in either an overmount or undermount design. Stainless steel is incredibly popular for sinks because it: Looks great with granite.
If you are getting natural stone countertops like granite and marble or even quartz, you can have either an overmount or undermount sink installed.
Countertop Compatibility
Rimmed sinks work well with all countertops. Whether you have a granite, marble, or soapstone countertop, a drop-in sink will go in without any hiccups. Undermount sinks, on the other hand, work well with all countertop materials except custom tile and laminate tops.
Technically, you can get a composite from any stone, but for granite countertops, granite composite is the natural choice. These sinks are made from crushed granite and resin. They are as tough as granite but perfectly waterproof (you don't have to periodically reseal them). They are hard to scratch and easy to clean.
However, if you have tile or laminate counters, undermount sinks may not work well, as these counters are wood under the surface. Instead, a drop-in kitchen sink is the better choice. A drop-in sink is suitable for any type of countertop and can be sealed with epoxy under the rim of the sink.
Silicone adhesive
Run a bead of silicone caulk around the edge of the sink, where it will contact the countertop to attach it to the counter. For an undermount bathroom sink, you need to support the weight while the silicone sealant dries to prevent the seal from breaking.
There are two ways to install a sink with a quartz countertop. The conventional way is to mount it with its edge sitting on top of the countertop surface. This is referred to as an overmount sink. The alternative is to install a sink below the countertop, known as an undermount sink.
Composite Granite Sink Disadvantages
Hardness: While some sink materials are more forgiving, composite granite is hard enough to break glassware when dropped onto the surface. This granite composite sink problem is something to consider if you frequently wash breakable dishes in the sink.
Durability. Composite granite sinks are primarily made up of a mixture of quartz granite particles and resin, both of which are incredibly hard-wearing and durable. The result of this is that any knocks that would usually dent, chip or scratch a regular sink will not show up on a composite sink.
Yes, composite sinks can withstand boiling water. There is no issue with pouring hot water down a granite, quartz, or solid surface sink.
Some say drop-in is generally the best option because it's easier to access all parts of the sink for cleaning. However, both types of sinks tend to accumulate grime along the caulk line where the sink meets the counter. Where an undermount sink rim and counter meet, the caulked gap can be trickier to clean.
Undermount sinks are usually more popular for their looks whereas overmount sinks are better for longevity and for kitchen worktop materials such as wood.
Like other posters said - the price of undermount is unjustified considering how easy it is to take a top mount sink and convert it into an undermount. The main thing is to have this done before they come to template it. Also have your new faucet ready - they'll need to drill holes into the countertop for it.
The list of materials that can never be used on a granite countertop is extremely long. Basically, anything that is not perfectly PH neutral is going to harm your stone in some way. This includes any product – natural, man-made, or homemade – that contains anything acidic or alkaline such as lemon or citric acid.
Don't pour soap directly on granite countertops. Stone is porous, and full strength soap can seep into pores causing tough to remove stains. Always dilute your soap with water before cleaning. Don't use an abrasive scrubber.
Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick. Add dish soap and warm water to a sponge, get a good lather and begin cleaning. Avoid using abrasive pads, as granite can be scratched.
'The easiest kitchen sink material to maintain is going to be one made of stainless steel, copper, cast iron or enamel because they will not support microbial growth as they are not cellulose material,' says Darren Hudema, director of training and technical services at PuroClean.
In terms of maintenance, as mentioned earlier, granite is porous while quartz is non-porous. This just means that granite has a lot of minute spaces or holes in the material which allows liquid or air to pass. This makes granite a lot more absorbent to stains and liquids that will be spilled into the material.
No matter if it's natural or artificially formed, a granite sink is durable, long lasting and hardwearing. But there are a few differences between the two. Each piece of natural granite has its own one-of-a-kind look, based on its naturally formed blend of minerals.
-- Top-mount advantages: Lower installation costs, more styles to choose from and sinks can be easily replaced in the future. Disadvantages: Exposed sink edges may be unsightly and tougher to clean. -- Under-mount advantages: Attractive modern look, easier to clean.
There are five common types of mounting installation options for a sink into your quartz countertop: drop-in, undermount (Zero Reveal, Positive Reveal and Negative Reveal) and farmhouse sink.