Let’s face it, we’re all bored. 2020 has been an incredibly odd year and without getting into the nitty-gritty of it, the best way to deal with existential dread is by renovating your kitchen and/or bathroom!
Change of space is a very powerful thing, and installing a sexy new bathroom sink could help relieve some of that universally potent sense of world-ending hysteria. In this article, we give a great overview of different styles of bathroom sinks to choose from, but right now let’s take a deep dive into the under mount sink.
Related: Flush Mount Sink | Bathrooms with Pedestal Sinks | Types of Bathroom Sink | Types of Kitchen Sinks | How to Clean Stainless Steel Sinks
The Classy Under Mount Sink
Installation
This is a great balance of style and affordability. Having a rather indicative name, the under-mount sink is mounted underneath your countertop! It requires a pre-cut (or self-cut) hole in your countertop material, and the installation underneath is slightly more complicated. Depending on how much weight is going to be put into the sink, it can either be screwed in from the bottom or be additionally supported by an extra scaffolding type structure below the sink bowl.
The finishing touch is a sealant of either epoxy or silicone caulking, which is crucial to ensure mold doesn’t develop where you can’t see. These can also be installed without a professional, but it does require more finesse and skill.
What’s it Made of?
These are usually made from stainless steel, copper, or cast iron, but are suited wonderfully for harder materials like quartz and granite. It is advised to avoid under-mount sinks if you have a tile or laminate countertop, as there are too many vulnerabilities in these materials and not enough support. This makes for a more expensive sink, but one that is resilient and stylish.
3 Types of Edges
With under-mount sinks you have the option of a zero reveal edge: where the edge of the countertop is flush with the wall of the sink, the positive reveal edge: where there’s a slight reveal of the rim of the sink, but it’s still under the edge of the counter, and negative reveal edge: were the edge of the sink is hidden under the edge of the countertop. But be careful! Not being able to see the sink’s edge means you may not know if there is a mold build-up under there.
The Look
The under-mount sink is aesthetically pleasing and makes for a super easy cross-counter clean up, as well as being frugal about counter space. If you have a smaller kitchen or bathroom, this is a way to utilize as much counter space as possible. (Curious about available looks for bathroom basins? We’ve got you covered, head over here.)
Pros
This a very streamlined option, as the lack of an exposed rim (that the top mount sink so unfashionably sports) makes for a wonderfully clean countertop. Because they have to be made with higher quality materials they’re going to last for longer, and are less susceptible to mold built up than say the top mount sink. The best possible way to avoid mold is with the flush mount sink, check it out here! Repairs for the under-mount sink are just as easy as the top mount sink option.
Cons
The negative aspect of this style of sink is that they’re more expensive, and they aren’t compatible with certain materials as they require materials that have great structural integrity. Also, the installation of faucets has to be placed either on the countertop or on the wall.
Cost
Under-mount sinks are more in the $250 – $800 range, again due to the requirement of high-quality materials. This may end up saving you money in the long run thanks to durability! Ikea has some exceptionally lovely and affordable options for your kitchen or bathroom DIY projects!
FAQ
Can you put an under-mount sink under a laminate countertop?
It is advised to couple materials like laminate with under-mount sinks with a softer material like laminate. You’d really want to avoid filling up your sink with water and dishes just so have it explode from the bottom. Dedicate the under-mount sink to something like granite!
What size of under-mount sink do I need?
The first thing you gotta do is remove your existing sink and measure the diameter of the hole in the countertop. From there you can either find a sink that meets the size point or adjust the size of the hole to fit your desired sink!
Will silicone hold an under-mount sink?
Silicone is used to seal the edge of the sink to make it waterproof. It must be drilled in from the bottom as well.
How do I install an under-mount sink?
If it’s for a bathroom sink, you may be able to get away with drilling in the under-mount sink and sealing it with silicone. Since bathroom sinks are usually smaller and won’t be holding as much weight, you may not need an extra support system underneath the water basin.
