If you are looking for a stainless steel undermount sink, you have a few choices to make.  The sink you buy will depend on a few factors.  One of these is where you will be using it.  There are stainless steel undermount sinks designed for the kitchen, the bar, the bathroom, and the laundry room.  In addition, there are different layouts to choose from.  This is a guide to the different types of stainless undermount sinks available.

Stainless Steel Undermount Kitchen Sinks

The most common place that you see this type of sink is in the kitchen.  The reason is because stainless steel works great in the kitchen due to the sanitary properties of stainless steel.  A stainless steel undermount kitchen sink adds convenience by allowing you to simply wipe crumbs or liquids directly into the sink.  Unlike other kitchen sinks, there is no sink lip.  These undermount sinks are mounted under the countertop, giving it a smoother look.  Different layouts are available for these kitchen sinks.  Most people these days go with double bowl undermount sinks, but single bowl models are available as well.  In addition, you can get offset kitchen sinks, which have one large bowl and one smaller one.  Prices of stainless undermount kitchen sinks range from under $100 for low end models to over $300 for designer sinks.

Stainless Steel Undermount Bar Sink

The kitchen isn’t the only place where people use these sinks.  For many of the same reasons people like this type of sink in kitchens, stainless steel undermount bar sinks are very common as well.  Bars need to be kept sanitary and clean, and these sinks are definitely very easy to keep sanitary.  The difference is that most bar sinks are different than kitchen sinks.  They tend to be smaller and shaped differently.  Some are round, others are oval, and still others are long and rectangular, designed to hold many glasses.  Undermount sinks are so popular in bars because bar counters tend to be wet.  Having an undermount sink ensures that water doesn’t seep into the crack between the sink and the countertop.  Instead, it just flows into the sink.  Prices for stainless undermount bar sinks start at around $60 for small ones and get up to a couple hundred dollars for larger fancier models.

Other Types of Stainless Steel Undermount Sinks

There are a few other places where you can have a sink like this. Although not very common, a stainless steel undermount bathroom sink exists.  Most people choose ceramic bath sinks, but once in a while someone will want a stainless one.  I have also come across a stainless steel undermount laundry sink before.  This type of laundry sink isn’t so common, mostly because laundry rooms seldom have counters.  Most laundry rooms have free standing sinks, hey, if you want one, by all means go for it.

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You might be wondering what in the world an undermount sink is.  This is a type of sink that is installed under the countertop.  Most sinks have a lip that goes over the counter, but undermount sinks have their lip under it.  The main reason people want this type of sink is because it makes it easier to clean the counter.  All you have to do is take a sponge or kitchen towel and wipe things into the sink.  Since there is no lip for food to get caught in, it just goes right into the sink.
Before you go out and buy a new undermounted sink however, make sure you have the right kind of countertop.  You can only use this type of sink with a solid countertop.  Granite, Marble, or a solid composite countertop will work fine.  Some counters are made of glued-together particle board, and these will get moisture in them and swell up.  In addition, undermounted sinks are fastened to the countertop, which needs to be solid and strong enough to support the weight of a large sink full of water.

This type of sink can be made using a few different materials.  By far the most common is a stainless steel undermount kitchen sink.  They are lightweight, simple to sanitize and keep clean, and are inexpensive.  If you don’t want a stainless one however, they come made from granite, cast iron, ceramic, or composite materials as well.  While stainless steel undermount sinks are always silver, those made from one of the other materials can be a different color.  Most of them are either white or black, although it is possible to find other colors as well.

Undermount Kitchen Sinks

The most common location for this type of sink is in the kitchen.  Solid rock and composite counters are very common these days so many people are opting for an undermount kitchen sink.  Although there are a few different types, the stainless steel undermount kitchen sink is the most common because most people like the convenience of cleaning the counter into the sink.

Undermount Bathroom Sinks

The kitchen isn’t the only place where this type of sink is used.  Many people prefer the look of an undermount bathroom sink to the normal kind.  While an undermount stainless steel sink may be great for the kitchen, they are normally not used in the bathroom.  Most people prefer ceramic, cast iron, or composite sinks in their bathrooms.  These can be glazed with a white finish, making them look great for bathrooms.

Undermount Sink Prices

There is a lot of price variation in sinks.  At the low end of the spectrum, you can find a cheap stainless undermount sink for under $100.  These sinks will work fine for most households, if you are satisfied with the basic style they offer.  On the other end, there are some very luxuriously priced models.  One example of this is a Franke undermount sink, which can cost hundreds of dollars for some models, and even climb over $1,000 for their most prestigious lines.  Some people want only the best for their kitchens or bathrooms, and designer brands fill that need.

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What is an Undermount Kitchen Sink?

A lot of people don’t even know what an undermount kitchen sink is.  It is a sink designed to sit below the counter top level.  While the majority of kitchen sinks have a lip that fits over the counter top, undermount sinks have a lip that attaches to the bottom of your counter top.  Having the sink at a lower level than your counter lets you easily clean the countertop, wiping scraps right into the sink.
One major difference between undermount kitchen sinks and normal sinks is that they should only be used with solid counter tops.  They work great with marble, granite, or any other solid rock.  You can also use them with solid Corian counters or those of another type.  The reason why you don’t want to use them with counters that aren’t solid is because the cut edge of the counter will be exposed, and being around water and moisture constantly, moisture will inevitably seep into the counter top material and cause it to bulge and de-laminate.  When this happens, you will be forced to either live with an ugly looking counter top or replace the whole thing.  In addition, while the sink itself weighs very little, a double kitchen sink full of water and dishes can be pretty heavy, which is why it needs to be attached to something very solid that has no chance of breaking off.

Types of Undermount Kitchen Sinks

In terms of sink layouts, you usually have a few choices.  Sinks come in either single bowl or double bowl layouts.  Single bowl kitchen sinks are normally used when space is limited and there simply isn’t enough room for a larger sink.  Most homes these days are large enough for double bowl undermount kitchen sinks to be installed, which is a bit more convenient for washing dishes.  Unless space is very limited, I would recommend installing a double bowl sink. One other sink layout worth mentioning is the offset model.  Offset sinks have one larger bowl and one smaller one.  These are a popular choice for small kitchens as well, since some of them are the same size as single bowl sinks.  Others are large, and the offsetting serves to give the sink a bit of style.

By far the most common type is the stainless steel undermount kitchen sink.  Stainless has long been considered the best material for kitchen sinks because it is doesn’t rust or stain and is extremely easy to keep clean and sanitized.  An undermount stainless kitchen sink is also relatively inexpensive, and many sinks can actually be installed either on top of the counter or below it.

If you want something a little different than the run of the mill stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks, there are a few other options available.  One choice is cast iron. Undermount cast iron kitchen sinks have some great advantages.  First, they are virtually indestructible, and many of them carry lifetime warranties for as long as you own the home.  Cast iron won’t dent or scratch like stainless steel will.  In addition, cast iron sinks come with an enamel coating, so you can get them in a different color. Kohler undermount kitchen sinks come with a white color that is guaranteed not to chip off.

Some sinks are made of composite materials, which mean that they are available in different colors.  After stainless steel and white, another common choice is black undermount kitchen sinks.  Black is the natural color of certain rocks, including granite. Undermount granite kitchen sinks usually come in black, and are extremely resistant to chipping, due to the great properties of granite.

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