Choose a heavy stone, cast iron or enameled-steel undermount sink only if you're sure the countertop can support the weight. Color: Undermount sinks come in gloss white, matte black and everything in between. Choose one that matches your countertop or, if you prefer drama, choose one with a contrasting color.
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.
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.
OVERHANG - The countertop extends over the edge of the sink on all sides by approximately 1/8" - 1/4". Use caution with this installation to be sure that accessories such as colanders or cutting boards will fit properly.
A typical 33 x 22-inch sink will fill a 36-inch base cabinet. If you're replacing a sink, make sure it fits the existing cutout. If the cabinet allows, you may be able to install a larger sink by expanding the cutout. A farmhouse sink may require a special cabinet size.
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.
An undermount sink is just like the name sounds – a sink that fits underneath your countertops. This sink has many benefits compared to other options and makes task work in your kitchen much easier. Undermount sinks work best when they are installed in conjunction with natural stone countertops, like granite.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
Kitchen sink depth:
The standard depth is around 8 to 10 inches. Anything shallower than 8 inches will make it difficult for you to have enough space to wash dishes. The extra depth can make it easier to wash oversize pots, which is helpful for anyone cooking for a big family or entertaining guests.
Minimum thickness of the actual countertop material is one half -inch. In addition, a one-inch build up around the sink is preferred. recommends that undermount sinks and routering of your solid surface material should be Installed by a professional installer for best results.
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.
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 it can be done, changing a sink in a granite countertop puts the stone at risk of damage, which can be very pricey to repair. Fortunately, the process of removing a sink in a granite countertop is far less challenging than it seems – so long as you have the proper tools.
Insecure clamps: The clamps or the epoxy, or both, used to secure the sink to the bottom of the countertop were loose enough to cause the caulk to quickly pull away. Tighten the clamps thoroughly. Wrong sink sealant: The sink installer may have failed to use the correct kitchen sealant.
Granite has a higher porosity than quartz, but a higher porosity doesn't necessarily translate into better quality. This is because the higher the porosity of a material is, the higher its absorption rate, which means that it can easily be stained with spilled food particles and drinks.
Most undermount sinks come with clips to attach them to the underside of your countertop. However, you don't have to use clips for all undermount kitchen or bathroom sink installations. You can also use brackets or the two-part epoxy. You can also use a combination of attachment methods for a more secure hold.
Most Popular By Configuration. Single basin, apron/farmhouse, workstation, and double basin kitchen sinks are the most popular sink styles for the upcoming years.
A better quality stainless steel kitchen sink is the 18-gauge, which is 0.0500 inches. Many home improvement choices recommend 16 to 18 gauges as a good choice for a stainless steel kitchen sink. The more costly, a 16-gauge stainless sinks is often touted as a luxury sink and are 0.0625 inches thick.
Measure the opening width under your existing sink (or where the new one will be installed) from left to right. This measurement is your cabinet size. Then, allow at least 2-3 inches on both sides for mounting hardware. For example, a 36" cabinet can accomodate a 30-32" sink.