Undermount Kitchen Sinks
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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