If you are getting natural stone countertops like granite and marble or even quartz, you can have either an overmount or undermount sink installed.
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.
Stainless steel sinks offer a complementary look for quartz countertops and can bring out different colors and patterns in the natural stone. Stainless steel is durable and water-resistant. It's also easy to clean and lends an industrial, urban visual to your bathroom space.
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.
Integrated sinks are available in a wide variety of materials and finishes. The most common materials are marble, granite, and quartz stones, and they are available in polished, honed, leather, and antique finishes.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
Con: Integrated Sinks Can Be Expensive – They are often carved directly from the same material of the countertop. This means that they represent a sizable additional expense with some materials, such as marble.
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.
Quartz sinks can withstand any high traffic kitchen since they are incredibly durable and difficult to scratch or scuff. Since quartz is the hardest component of granite, combining it with acrylic creates one of the strongest sink materials, making it perfect for everyday use.
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.
Durability and Maintenance
This means that quartz is harder than granite which indicates the durability of the materials. Since quartz is harder, however, it can be very heavy and can be difficult to install. In terms of maintenance, as mentioned earlier, granite is porous while quartz is non-porous.
Most any sink can be undermounted. Don't make such a project out of it. The main requirement is adequate support.
Marble and granite
In this case, they are ideal for undermount sinks because they also happen to be durable. The fact that they are porous also helps in helping the adhesives bind more firmly with the stones. Despite what most people think, marble is not a “soft” stone.
The lack of a visible lip with an undermount sink makes it quite a bit easier to clean your counters; you can sweep any debris from your counters right into the sink. However, top mount sinks are the simplest of the two types of sink to keep clean themselves.
Because quartz composite sinks are not the same as solid quartz stone sinks, they don't deliver the same variation in pattern, shine (available in matte finish only), and color as natural stone sinks. Additionally, quartz sinks can be hard on dropped dishes, so be careful when you wash your fragile glasses or china!
Quartz sinks are made with a composite of quartz and acrylic (generally 80% quartz and 20% acrylic), which offers strength and flexibility, making them highly unlikely to crack.
Almost certainly, yes. Generally speaking, unless your kitchen units are very old, it is highly unlikely that they will be too weak to handle the weight of any solid stone worktops, including quartz.
Since undermount sinks to not have anything above the counter to help carry their weight, they need more support. They also need more solid countertops that don't suffer easily from water damage. This often makes them a more expensive sink than other options and also makes installation more difficult.
Of the kitchen sink options, undermount sinks are a perfect choice to keep the home clean. Because they are caulked or clipped directly to the vanity or counter space, there is no gap underneath the sink.
Pros of an Undermount Sink
Undermount sinks are: Easy to clean: Countertop cleanup is more streamlined with undermount sinks since you can wipe any spills or crumbs directly into the sink. Highly durable: Undermount sink types can be worth the price for their durability and quick countertop cleanup.
Double Basin/Bowl Sink
The most popular type of kitchen sink arrangement, dual basins allow for washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other side.
A stainless steel sink is the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen sink as they are resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. What's more, they are also some of the most versatile sinks coming in a variety of styles and sizes meaning they fit in most kitchens easily no matter the size or style.
One of the most costly options for a kitchen sink is natural stone, like marble or granite. Stone is a high-durability material that is resistant to scratches, dents, chips, and heat.
Avoid using both alkaline and acidic cleaner because they will break down the bonds between quartz and resin and cause long-term damage to the surface. Harsh and acidic cleaning agents such as vinegar, lime, lemon are going to erode the sealant of the countertops' surface over time.
While most coffee and tea mugs will not burn through your quartz counter the first time you set them down, you do not want to tempt fate. Use coasters to protect the stone from heat marks. Over time this will help you with the maintenance of your counter.