Undermount sinks – a popular alternative

There are two options when mounting a countertop sink: the slider on models that sit on the countertop with a rim around it, and the undermount sink that mounts under the countertop. It is very popular right now.

Sinks

They used to be almost always exclusively porcelain. Today’s popular metal ones were available but they were porcelain coated. They were almost always white, the styles have changed quite a bit. The stainless type is all the rage now. They are easy to clean and maintain, they do not etch like porcelain used to, and they are durable.

For many moons, probably until the 1970s, they were actually independent and the counter space was separate from it. They were very utilitarian but not very practical.

Today, an independent is the exception, not the rule. Countertop space is considered a must, so the sink is really secondary. The sinks that fall are dropped into a hole that is cut in the countertop. The bottom mount sink is mounted to the bottom of the countertop, this is the preferred method because debris can be easily cleaned from the countertop into the sink without getting caught on the edge of the sink.

It is more expensive to mount a sink as a bottom bracket, because the edges of the countertop must be refinished around the sink. Usually if it’s a model sink drop, the under-sink edges don’t have to be polished or finished because no one will see them.

Kitchen styles change as clothing styles don’t change as often, but they do. Under-bracket sinks are very popular and stylish right now, but they may not remain as popular.

Bathroom sinks have the same mounting options as kitchen sinks. The drop-in sink has always been the popular choice, but the bottom-mount sink is also starting to make headway in the forum.

Installing an undermount sink

Installing a undermount sink will likely require more than one person, or one person and equipment to support the sink while it is being installed. The installation process should not take more than approximately two hours. It is easily assembled using the hardware normally supplied with it.