Choosing an Undermount Kitchen Sinks

Undermount kitchen sinks sinks that are attached under your kitchen countertop. They either hang from the underside of the countertop or are supported from underneath by the base cabinet structure and give your countertop a clean, sleek look.

One of the benefits to having an undermount sink is that you are able to brush items from the countertop directly into the sink without anything getting caught under the lip of the sink. This type of sink requires clips and other mechanical fastening devices to attach them to the countertop. Heavier kitchen sinks like ones made from cast iron or stone require a well-designed mounting system in an undermount installation.

Another form of undermount sink is a solid surface sink combined with a solid surface countertop, even though it may not look like it. In this case the sink is glued to the underside of the solid surface countertop. The installer then smooths the joint between the two surfaces, making the seam between them invisible.

The "reveal" of an undermount sink refers to how far the countertop extends over the edge of the sink. A positive reveal means the lip of the sink is slightly extended from the edge of the countertop. A negative reveal means the countertop surface overlaps the edge of the sink.

Sink Materials

Kitchen sinks come in a variety of materials, each have their own specific benefits and drawbacks. Some of the more popular materials include:

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel sinks have always been very popular for their neutral, clean look and durability. Stainless steel comes in either brushed or polished finishes. Better sinks are made from thicker gauge steel. The higher the gauge, the thinner the steel, for example, 20 gauge steel is thinner than 16 gauge steel. Stainless sinks have a bit more flexibility than a harder material like cast iron and are more forgiving when dishes or other hard objects are dropped on them.

Cast Iron
Cast iron has a history of being a very durable material for sinks. They usually have porcelain enamel finishes, which is fired at high temperatures to provide durability. Cast iron sinks are very durable, however, it's possible for the enamel to wear away or chip over time.

Fireclay
Fireclay sinks are a form of ceramic, similar to vitreous china, but stronger and more durable. The added durability comes from the higher temperatures that fireclay is fired at. Fireclay differs from cast iron because it is a clay based structure with a topical glaze that is fused with the fireclay base and not the primary structure of the sink.

Acrylic
Acrylic sinks are economical and are extremely easy to maintain surfaces that are very stain resistant. Acrylic is a plastic that's molded to form the shape of the sink and typically reinforced with fiberglass.

Solid Surface
Solid surface sinks are made from the same material as the solid surface countertops. This type of sink offers a clean and seamless look to any kitchen counter design without ridges or edges for dirt and grime to collect in.

Copper & Bronze
A copper and bronze sink offers a very distinctive look that takes on an aged look depending on the type of care it's given. This type of sink is best suited for a kitchen that has a rustic decor.

Stone
Stone sinks can be made from a variety of different stone. The most common stone sinks are made out of granite or soapstone, however, there are also sinks made from travertine, marble and onyx. These sinks are heavy and require substantial support.

Stone sinks can be made by joining stone slabs together to form the basin or can be hewn out of a solid piece of stone. Sinks that are made of slabs should have an adequately sloped bottom to minimize any residual standing water.

FaucetDepot carries a large selection of durable and long lasting undermount kitchen sinks at the best prices around. We are one of the top retailers of sinks from the finest manufacturers in the industry including Elkay, Blanco and Kohler, to name only a few. Our sinks will hold their finish and stand up to the most rigorous usage for years to come.