While undermount sinks are currently preferred for looks, overmount can be a better investment in longevity for certain countertop materials like wood.
2) Flushmount
Often confused with undermount, the main difference is that flushmounts don't have a seam between them and the bench.
Kitchen Design
Rectangular sinks with sharper edges contribute to a minimalist or modern kitchen design. Rounded edges are better for traditional kitchens. If your kitchen has a trendy style, opt for D-shaped sinks, which offer more space than similarly sized rectangular sinks.
TOP MOUNT SINK
One of the disadvantages of this style of sink is the 'lip' it creates on top of the benchtop, meaning you won't be able to wipe directly into the sink. They can also trap crumbs around the edges.
Top-mount sinks offer numerous advantages, including water conservation and greater storage space. There are also some disadvantages to this type of sink, including being harder to clean. Although these downsides aren't enough to make you stray away from choosing a top-mount sink, they are still worth noting.
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.
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.
Timeless: Think farmhouse sinks in porcelain, soapstone sinks (integrated into the counter, or not), and surprisingly, concrete (subtle colors akin to soapstone or slate). Copper is a timeless material for pantries and bars.
'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.
A flush mount sink, also known as a tiled-edge sink, sits flush with the countertop, supported by the base cabinets. The sink itself will usually have a couple of extra inches around the bowl.
An undermount kitchen sink is easier to clean. Since your countertops are below your sink, there will be little need for scrubbing them. You will also have less counter space, so cleaning will take less time. With less counter space, you will also have less waste from pans and pots.
When choosing the right fixture, get the one that will fit well within your room. Start with this rule of thumb – in feet, add together the width and length of the room then convert this sum to inches. This would dictate the approximate width of your flush mount.
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.
Overall, which is better: Undermount or Drop-in Sinks? In general, which sink type is best for you will come down to preference. Drop-in sinks represent a sink type that is affordable, flexible, and easy to install. But drop-in sinks do not have much in the way of resale value and are aesthetically outdated.
Stainless Steel Sinks for Granite Countertops
Stainless steel is incredibly popular for sinks because it: Looks great with granite. Resists chipping and cracking. Gives a modern look to the kitchen even in a farmhouse style.
While Shaker kitchens might date back to 1774, when the Shakers who arrived in America from England, created the style out of necessity for usefulness and practicality over kitchen trends, the Shaker kitchen style has never gone out of style, even today.
Quartz countertops from companies such as Caesarstone and PentalQuartz are another good option. Blackband recommends sticking with white or, if you don't like white, a neutral color, such as tan, beige or ivory. Go with a subtle pattern and low veining for a longer-lasting look.
Stainless steel sinks are very low maintenance; they are corrosion and rust resistant, and as long as they are cared for properly and wiped down after every use, they should not stain. Find out more about how to clean a stainless steel sink by reading our guide with handy tips and tricks from our experts.
Birchfield agrees, pointing out that fireclay and granite selections have been on the rise as they offer more warmth or a sense of nostalgia to the kitchen space. "White fireclay apron front sinks have been on the rise offering a charming statement piece.
An increasingly popular alternative to a classic ceramic or stainless steel sink, a natural stone sink brings warmth and character to kitchen trends. Natural materials are a key tenet of 'soft' minimalism, the latest wave of the trend synonymous with calming, clutter-free spaces.
Undermount sinks also remain popular, with Beesley sharing that they're “a popular choice for customers as they are installed under the level of the worktop creating a seamless design. These types of sinks save space, and create a clean and sleek look which is great for minimalist-style kitchens.”
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.
The oval sink is also the most practical sink shapes amongst undermount sinks. The oval shape allows the sink to be wide without having to take as much space on your counter as the rectangular sinks. In addition, the vast majority of oval bowls swoops down which allows for better drainage than the flat bottom sinks.