An undermount kitchen sink is defined by the way the sink is installed on the kitchen countertop. Rather than being dropped into an existing cut hole in the countertop, these sinks are installed under the counter.
Because of the way undermount sinks are installed, there is no rim between the countertop and sink. A range of materials can be used for undermount sinks, including stainless steel, solid surface, cast iron, and copper.
Both double-bowl and single-bowl undermount sinks are available when you look for an undermount kitchen sink supplier.
While the world of kitchen sinks is varied and large, for many homeowners doing a kitchen remodel, the field narrows down to some basic configurations: undermount, drop-in, and farmhouse sinks.
When the undermount sink first hit the consumer market, they were quite expensive and considered difficult to install.
But now that professionals are comfortable installing these sinks as they are with drop-ins and prices of undermount sinks have become more competitive, the choice is that much harder.
Benefits of Undermount Sinks
Best for Counter Cleaning
For most people, the primary benefit of undermount sinks is how easy they make the cleaning of your countertops.
Ease of cleaning is the major selling point, especially for kitchen sinks. Since no lip or rim is acting as an obstruction, cleaning countertops is easy and simple.
You can wipe the mess straight into the sink. Other sinks, like drop-in sinks, have higher rims which don’t allow for such easy cleaning.
Save Countertop Space
Undermount sinks give you more countertop space. Since they allow your kitchen countertop to extend to the sink, you get a little more countertop space with this type of sink.
This is especially helpful for smaller kitchens. If you are tight on room and require every possible square inch of counter real estate, undermount is the way to go.
Undermount Wins for Resale Value
Whether your kitchen has an undermount sink or drop-in sink will not, by itself, change the resale value of your home.
Resale value is affected more by major upgrades, such as additions, whole-house flooring, or finished rooms, than by single elements like a kitchen sink or bath vanity.
That said, undermount sinks have a more custom, high-end look and feel compared to conventional drop-ins.
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Things You Should Consider with Undermount Sinks
While there are many advantages to undermount sinks, there are few things to consider before choosing one for your kitchen renovation process.
If you prefer DIY installation methods, this may not be the style for you. Undermount sinks are not easy to install drop-in kitchen sinks.
If there is already a pre-cut-out in place in the countertop fitting the sink dimensions, a drop-in sink is simple and painless for homeowners to install independently. This is not the case for undermount kitchen sinks.
Undermount sinks are usually more expensive than drop-in sinks. Costs are higher for both the materials and the labor involved in an installation process.
Lastly, consider your countertop material. You can attach an undermount sink to all countertop materials except for laminate. Unlike undermount sinks, drop-in sinks can be installed on any countertop type and materials.
How Is an Undermount Sink Installed?
The defining feature of undermount kitchen sinks is that they sit below the countertop in your kitchen. These sinks hang underneath the countertop, so the sink’s edge lip is mounted below the counter.
This style creates a constant flow from the countertop into the sink, compared to sinks that place on top of a countertop with a visible rim.
Properly installing and sealing a sink is essential for this style of kitchen sink. To prevent damage and any leakage, you’ll want to ensure your undermount sink is properly sealed.
Your countertop and supports need to be able to hold the undermount sink in its place and hold its weight safely.
Installation of an undermount sink can be difficult for one who isn’t familiar with this type of sink. It can be a wise decision to hire a professional for the installation process.
Most professionals will be able to install a sink in just 30 minutes.
While undermount sinks offer several advantages, there are a few things to consider for the installation process.
Solid surface countertops are ideal
Undermount sinks are mostly used with solid surface countertops such as stone, wood, or composite. Tile, laminate, and other materials with joints can have weak spots that may separate or have trouble supporting an undermount sink’s hanging weight.
Structural support is required
Undermount sinks need support from inside the counter. Without solid mechanical support, the adhesive could give out and cause a messy issue when the sink drops into the counter while full of dishes or water.
Extra finish work required for cut-out
Since the edge of the kitchen sink cut-out will be visible, additional work is required to ensure a smooth, nice-looking finish.
Top mount sinks simply drop in over the cut-out, covering any imperfections from the cutting process.
So, if you are looking for an undermount kitchen sink supplier, you should know all about these things to make an ideal choice.
