The undermount sink is positioning itself as a benchmark in modern kitchens. It is rare today to see, a new or minimalist kitchen that does not have a built-in or undermount sink. Although there are people who do not like it in general there are more advantages than disadvantages.
Pros or advantages of undermount sinks
- Practical and clean: By having the sink below the countertop, it is easier when cleaning the kitchen countertop. You do not need to clean the top of the sink with a cloth. You can clean the remains of products, that we have left on the countertop taking advantage of the hole in the sink. Otherwise, they get embedded between the joint and the sink, causing a mixture of dirt that is difficult to remove over time.
- Design and aesthetics, although it is not an advantage. But it does make it more beautiful to see a countertop with the sink below.
- To prevent the upper edge from deteriorating: by placing the sink below, there is no contact with the edges with the cleaning products. Therefore, the product ends up having a longer life since when cleaning we do not pass the cloth over the edge of the sink but on the counter.
- If you want to change it, it is easier to replace an undermount kitchen sink than an overmount one. Since being below it, the joint between the frame of the old sink and the new one would not be so noticeable because the countertop below would hide it.
- There is no possibility of food remains or particles becoming embedded between the joint of the sink and the countertop.
Disadvantages or cons of undermount sinks
- The price of installation is a little more expensive. Moreover, the installation process of the sink above the countertop is faster than the undercounter one, which is more expensive. Therefore, sometimes we have to pay a little more to install them. It is also true that if the kitchen is new and is not repaired, this cost is often included in the global price.
- There is also a price difference between the old sinks that were placed above the countertop. Such as stainless steel ones, and those that are placed today in fiberglass, either below or above the countertop.
- Installation is more cumbersome since a good polymer adhesive needs even for those who do not trust glue. Some supports provide greater security and prevent it from expiring over time.
Undermount sink manufacturers
there are few sink manufacturers in the USA, but if we open the range to Europe, things change.
As for fiber or synthetic sinks, the national market leaders are Syan and Poalgi while at the European level Luisina, and Smeg, stand out. There is another producer of sinks with resins such as Urdaplast but it is not as well known as these two.
About stainless steel sinks, the best known are Andemen, Luisina, Franke, Dada, Blanco, Nodor, Teka, Rodi, Pyramids, and Ukinox. Mind that although they are called stainless steel, their composition is varied since they are usually made up of chrome, nickel, and an alloy of other metals.
We find Chambord, Luisina, Poalgi, Reginox, and Rodi in granite sinks. The same thing happens here as in stainless steel sinks. They are commonly known as granite sinks but their composition has a high percentage of compact quartz. Quartz makes them very resistant.
Ceramic sinks are the ones of a lifetime, they have great resistance to temperature and shock, and they are easy to clean. The most relevant manufacturers are Franke, Blanco, Monolite, Sanindusa, Galassia, Villeroy, Luisina, and Chambord.
How much does it cost to replace an undermount kitchen sink?
Although prices vary a lot from one province to another, indeed, there is usually a price range to change a sink in the kitchen. As it is very cheap we can find it from 50 dollars plus VAT to even triple its price of 150 dollars plus VAT. This variation is due to the market situation in the area. The standard of living in Madrid or Formentera is not the same, or the mismatch between supply and demand makes prices rise and fall. In addition, plumbers do not like to give closed or very tight prices because it can happen that the change later costs them a lot of work due to some unforeseen problem. They end up losing money in the budgeted work.
Read another article about Choosing the right sink for the kitchen
What material is better for a kitchen sink or are they more resistant?
This is a great question, some faithful defenders say that they are granite, others that fiber, and others that stainless steel. We are going to comment on the main differences to see what you think. Granite sinks are manufactured using high-pressure injection with a mixture of acrylic resins and 70% granite or quartz. Therefore, granite and quartz give the sink greater resistance. Among their qualities, they stand out in that they are resistant to scratching, they are not porous, and therefore stains do not become embedded as happens with natural stone. In addition, they withstand high temperatures up to 280º.
The defenders of stainless steel say that this material is the best for a sink. Because it has the maximum resistance to shocks and to cold/heat and great durability over time. It is the material that has lasted the longest throughout history. It is very easy to clean and very hygienic.
Finally, we are left with those who bet on fiberglass sinks. It must be said that today they have the largest market share. Their success is due to price, design, and high performance. A fiberglass sink with proper maintenance can last you a lifetime. They are very resistant to shocks, high temperatures, and scratches as they are finished with a gel coat, which is a very resistant material. It is the paint that is used to finish the exterior hulls of ships.
What is undermount?
The undercounter concept refers to putting the sink below the countertop. The countertop gap must be the same as the sink, otherwise, we may have a small variation that will look bad aesthetically. Apart from that, it can be impractical when using the stack to introduce plates and glasses or kitchen utensils. They are also called integrated because they are supposed to be integrated under the countertop.
On wooden, laminate, or chipboard countertops, it is not recommended to install this type of sink below, since, with the water, the liquids can deteriorate more quickly.
Difference between built-in and undermount sink.
When it is placed from above, the upper edge of the sink is outlined. In this case, it is embedded in the countertop and the edge is not noticeable. To flush it, you have to adjust the sink to the countertop. Measuring the edges of the upper part and making that hole in the countertop, this way it looks perfect.
To be able to embed it or flush it you have to be a good professional. Since you have to make the notch on the edge of the countertop and it has to be perfect. Otherwise, it will not fit well and will end up being a nest of residue or particles. In addition, it won’t be pretty.
What is the size of a kitchen sink?
The normal measurements of the sinks range from 45 to almost 130 cm. Formerly the sinks occupied the width of the kitchen modules (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 centimeters). They were manufactured based on these measurements to be able to fit on the module but today it has changed. It should be noted that the standard format ranges from 60 to 80 centimeters. Except in large kitchens where interior designers include large sinks and even sinks with a drainer, as is the case with the Syan Core Undermount Sink that measures 122 cm.
If you think to buy a sink for your kitchen, choose either an undermount or countertop at the best price. Do not hesitate to look at our category of kitchen sinks.
