-- 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.
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.
Undermount sinks are usually more popular for their looks whereas overmount sinks are better for longevity and for kitchen worktop materials such as wood.
Traditionally the sink was installed below a window to provide a view when washing up but if you prefer to let a dishwasher take the strain, save the view for somewhere you'll linger longer, like the main prep area or a breakfast bar.
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.
Undermount sinks are simply more practical, functional and aesthetically pleasing than overmount sinks. With undermount sinks, it is really easy to wipe food crumbs from the countertops into the kitchen sink. There is no edge, no seam and no calking in the way.
Top-mount sinks are an excellent choice for many reasons. They save space on your counters, are easier to install, and do not require any extra planning. In addition, they are also less expensive. Top-mount kitchen sinks are often made of stainless steel.
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.
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.
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.
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 most common option for a kitchen sink material is stainless steel. This material is well-known for its water-resistance, durability, and scratch-resistance, and is also often recognized for superior rust-resistance and antimicrobial properties. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for just about any kitchen.
Undermount sinks are often a no-brainer decision when remodeling a kitchen. There's lots to love: they look nice, let you to wipe water and crumbs directly from the counter into the sink with a single swipe, and they eliminate that gunk-magnet seam around the lip of overmount sinks.
Unlike recessed sinks, the apron sink sports a front that juts out slightly from the supporting cabinetry. Again, this was a practical design that helped prevent cabinet damage. Any water or suds that dripped over the lip would fall to the floor rather than puddle on cabinet countertop wood.
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.
'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.
Unfortunately, the weight, moisture, and vibration of the garbage disposal will literally pull the sink away causing it to separate and fail. The result is moisture problems in your sink cabinet, stressful haggling with the installer to fix it, and even costly repair bills to make it right!
The Key Differences between an Undermount vs a Drop-in sink.
An under-mount sink is installed below the sink, so the rim is hidden from view. This increases the counter space available in addition to making it much easier to clean the counter. A drop-in sink is installed above the counter and has a visible rim.
A drop-in sink (also known as top mount or self rimming) has a finished edge or rim and is installed or mounted on top of the countertop. Ideal for replacement, drop-in sinks can be removed and installed without damaging countertops and are a great option for the DYI-er weekend project.
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.
Items not recommended to store under the sink
Harsh chemicals, bug spray, paper towels, waxes, carpet shampoo, drain cleaners, polishes and paints. Even some cleaning products, including dishwasher pods and colorful spray bottles, can be dangerous and entice curiosities for paws or tiny fingers.
Many designers agree that centering a kitchen sink under a window is the optimum placement, it often looks tailored and well-planned, however, this is not always practical. If you have a small kitchen with very little room for large reconfigurations, you may have more limited options in terms of optimum sink placement.