Undermount vs. Overmount Sinks
Hi Tom,
We are thinking about using overmount sink for our granite kitchen countertop for our new home, even though the trend is to use undermount sink. We think that the overmount could be safer after we saw the sealant used in the model home undermount kitchen highly visible. When I wash my foodstuff in my current overmount sink, I often have the water filled to the rim. With this habit of mine applied to the undermount sink probably will wear off the sealant fast and also induce some residue from the sealant to my food. There is some advice out there that overmount sink for granite countertop will make the sink surround difficult to keep clean. My question is: Will sealant wear off faste when constantly immerse in water? Will sealant leech out some toxic when immerse in water. Why overmount difficult to keep the surrounding granite clean as some advice stated? Thank you for your advice. Hope
Hello Hope,
Let me present the pros and cons for both types of sinks and you can at least make a well informed decision.
Undermount sink: It can be debated that an undermount sink allows the granite to present itself better because a bulging sink does not stop the eye from admiring the beautiful natural veining and minerals. The polished sink edge along with faucet holes going through the granite also enhance the high-end upgrade for which you paid so much money. Another benefit is that you can clean your countertop by simply sliding what you are cleaning right into the sink.
Now for the cons of undermount sinks! Undermount sinks do create a maintenance situation at the caulking joint between the sink and the underside of the granite. The degree of maintenance is measured by the method and expertise in which the sink was installed. I have seen the worse and the best. If you go with an undermount porcelain sink, insist that steel ’sink-spreaders’ are used to hold the sink up. Do not accept cleated wood or notched and screwed wood anchors. These will not last.
Furthermore, the sealant used is traditionally a latex or acrylic-laex caulking. Sometimes 100% silicone is used but because the messy application process of silicone, most installers opt for the water soluble latex caulking. This caulking is sufficient to keep splash water from seeping into your cabinet but it is not suppose to be 100% submerged. Therefore, if you are the type to fill you sink all the way up, don’t use latex caulking.
In fact, I would only recommend a special caulking made by Vulkum Products which specifically states that it is 100% submersible caulking.
Top Mount Sinks: I really don’t like the look but they do have functional purposes. You can get a much bigger sink with a top mount sink because they are not limited in size by the cabinet walls. I feel that is the #1 consideration for going with a top mount sink. If you are going with a soft countertop stone, like marble, the a top mount sink would protect the edge.
Usually you will save $150 to $200 by selecting a top mount cut, instead of a polished edge finish.
January 31st, 2007 at 7:46 pm
We found an outlet for imported Chinese granite that seems very inexpensive. Is this an inferior grade of granite, is it more porous than other types of granite?
September 10th, 2007 at 5:55 am
We are thinking of putting in an undermount sink in our new granite countertop. I really like the look of the undermount stainless steel sink. How much trouble is it to replace later and is it better to use a standard size sink?I like the look of the 1 and 3/4 sink. I’m worried about finding the right size if it needs to be replaced. what are the pro and cons of an undermount sink (caulking, keeping it clean, leaks etc..)
Thanks for your advice, Debbie
October 6th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I have recently remodel my kitchen and purchased an undermount stainless steel sink for my Cambria quartz counter top. Looks great.
I was dismayed today (Sat) to notice that the sink has separated from the counter top.
Way causes that? What is the fix?
The installer cannot be reached on the weekend and I am upset over this problem with my high end kitchen remodel.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
What is the best way to clean the caulking between my staninless steel undermount sink and granite? It is mildewed. After I clean it and remove the excess caulking what kind of caulking should I use? Thank you.,
August 1st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I’m getting granite countertops and like the undermount sink, but wonder if the undermount sink is replaceable should it be damaged or we want it changed for any reason. The sink will be in large island and replacing all the granite should the sink required replacement would be cost prohbitive. Designer is suggesing black sink but I’ve seen one in a friend’s kitchen and there are places where it looks as though a pan or some other heavy item my have taken a bit of the black finish off and it looks sort of silvery. Not good. Any suggstions?
August 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I had someone tell me that my 130 lb. Kohler cast-iron undermount sink (K-6626-6U-0) is too heavy to install underneath a Quartz countertop. I can’t believe this is true. Could someone here tell me?
September 9th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I have a laminate countertop in my hobby room where I paint, watercolor, oit, etc. I need a sink that will fit in a 21 in deep top, want a stailess steel sink to fit a 1/2 sheet of watercolor paper (15 x 22), foud a schon sink, but it is an undermount, can thiese be used with waterproof caulking and what type anchoring would I need?
January 15th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Can we install an overmount sink like an undermount? What kind of caulking do you suggest? I have a granite countertop. Thanks..Laura
May 20th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I have a corian counter with an overmount sink. I really like the
undermount sinks better. Can I replace with an undermount sink without
replacing or taking out the corian counter? Also the sink is very close to the
window, probably only 1/2 inch away from the wall. Thanks.
Jan
August 12th, 2009 at 11:57 am
We have granite counters with an overmount sink. Is it possible to change from an overmounted to undermounted sink? If it can be done, how would it be done?
December 29th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Undermount bath sinks vs. overmount bath sinks – pros and cons?
June 14th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I have been reading through your blog and appreciate the information. I am hoping that you can give your opinion on an upcoming project.
We are preparing to remodel the kitchen in our church fellowship hall. We are installing two sinks. One 37×22 sink with two tubs and a single tub prep sink. The counter tops are going to be corian. I opted out of the built in corian sink and decided on a stainless steel top mount. The kitchen is not a high production kitchen. It gets used with medium to heavy use approximately 15 times per year and very light use throughout the year. I have my reservations about doing an under mount in a commercial application but understand that they are easier two work around when cooking. Question! Would you choose the built in corian sink, the stainless steel under mount or a stainless steel top mount? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Steve Lobato
July 25th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
hello. I am remodeling my kitchen and i am wondering if we can buy a topmount sink can i use it as undermount sink? and as far as style which will look better with a black granite counter top and white cabinets.
March 20th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Hi Tom
My undermount stainless sink is looking old. Can it be replaced without damaging the granite counters?
Thank you
Jackie
May 8th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
I had new granite and undermount stainless sink installed 3 years ago. Unbeknownst to me company used cleat wood to hold the sink up. The sink has dropped. Can that be fixed without removing the countertop? Company out-of-business
September 21st, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I bought a house a couple of years ago and the kitchen has granite countertops and the sink is overmounted. I wanted to know if it is possible to replace the sink and undermount one on the granite that is already installed. Is it possible for the edges to be polished while the granite is in place?
September 24th, 2011 at 9:44 am
My undermount sink is stained. Can it be replaced without damaging the granite counters?
Thank you
November 26th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
I am looking at a home with a Corian countertop. I am wondering if it would be possible to have the sink opening changed to accommodate an undermount sink instead of the current overmount sink. also, would it be possible to modify the edge from a convex to a straight, or half bulnose style. I would also like to remove the small backsplash at the back in order to have a tile backsplash. How feasable/expensive would thes optionsbe?
November 27th, 2011 at 12:21 am
The seams around the kitchen drain are gone. Now undermount kitchen sinks have a smooth, pure basin. A seamless flow from granite countertop to the drain. No…
May 13th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
I want to replace my undermount kitchen sink with an overmount sink. I have tile countertops and can’t afford to replace it so I thought the overmount sink would look good. How do I do that? Thanks for your help. All the articles out there are for doing the opposite.
Lisa