Many people find it hard to choose a kitchen sink because there are many decisions to make and factors to consider. What’s more, the more you do research, the more likely you will be confused because you will get to know options you don’t even know about.
This article will walk you through the difference between a top mount and an undermount sink. The main difference between these two sinks is the location of the lip compared to the benchtop. Here is some elaborate information.
Top Mount Sinks
Top mount sinks feature a tip on the top of the benchtop, and the kitchen sink edge lip can be seen. The sink lip is situated at the benchtop and holds it up on it. Top mount sinks are of different types, either pressed or handmade, and are made from stainless steel or granite.
Undermount Sinks
In undermount sinks, the lip is under the benchtop, so rather than sitting on it, it’s doing the opposite by hanging on the benchtop. Nowadays, undermount sinks need planning because it requires a substrate for it to sit on so the lip will be sandwiched between the bench top and the support system.
What Do I Need to Know About Top Mount Sinks
Top mount sinks usually protect the edges of the benchtop. This is essential in stone bench tops because pots knock and pan weaken the stone over time and eventually chip. Most top-mounted sinks are made from stainless steel, which is less likely to get damaged over time.
- Easy Installation
Top Mount sinks are easy to install because you don’t need to work with professionals like in the case of undermount. You can just measure and use a jigsaw to create a hole for it. You don’t need to make it nice; it should just be big enough to fit the sink and small enough to have the lip sitting on the bench top on all the sink edges.
- Cheaper
The easy installation of the top mount also reflects the cost, and it’s easy to install because, most times, you don’t even need to work with an expert.
- Easier to Replace
If you have a normal sink, it’s easier to replace. Mostly, people want to change between single and double bowls or granite to stainless steel. You just need to find one that will fit a bigger version of the current hole. In contrast, it’s hard to find a replacement sink the same size as your current undermount.
- Less Gunk Build-Up
With a top mount, you can access the whole sink, including its edges, making it easy to clean, and you won’t have hidden buildup around.
What Do I Need to Know About Undermount Sinks
- Undermount Sinks Look Sleeker
Undermount is a more premium installation because it enables you to increase the benchtop and make it look like it flows into your kitchen sink instead of having two separate pieces. Its appearance is more integrated.
- Undermount Isn’t Recommended for Laminate or Wooden Bench Tops
If you have a laminate bench top or wooden one, it’s not advisable to try undermount because the benchtop edged will be exposed to water all the time and eventually damage.
Click here to learn more about kitchen bench top materials.
- Undermount Sinks Are Mostly Handmade
These days, most undermounts are handmade. Some sellers will try to push you to purchase a pressed sink because it’s cheaper and tell you it’s of better value. The truth is, it’s actually of low quality. Handmade stainless steel is made in thicker steel.
- Undermount Sinks Require More Planning
If you want to get an undermount, you will need more planning because the cabinet maker will require a stable substrate to hold the sink, and the stone mason will need the exact measurements of the bowl so they can easily smooth the stone edge. Ensure you select and purchase a nice sink early.
Which Should You Choose?
Everybody has a preference, so we can safely say there is no better sink for everyone. When choosing, the best thing to do is to look at your kitchen style and choose one that will suit your lifestyle. Still, for easy selection, here are some points to consider:
- Pots and Pans
If you always clean pots and pans, which means you have a big family, it’s better to consider the top mount because of the number of knocks you will get on the sink edges over time.
- Beauty in the Benchtop
If you have to choose a good-looking benchtop and select a beautiful stone that you will want to show off, consider going with an undermount because it enables you to display the benchtop, and the sink will not be directly in sight. The only drawback of this is that you have to be extra careful around your kitchen, specifically with the sink edges.
- Hate Cleaning
If you are the type of person who doesn’t like cleaning and wants to leave the kitchen as soon as you are done cooking, then we recommend you choose a top mount. With a top mount sink, you don’t need to be extra careful when cleaning. All you need to do regularly is to check the joints where the sink and benchtop meet. This is unlike undermount, which requires regular cleaning, and you may have to re-silicate the joints as time goes by to prevent water from entering them.
Conclusion
Both undermount and top-mount sinks are great choices. What you choose depends on your preference. But to make things easier, we have narrowed down some differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each so it will be easier for you to choose.
Keep in mind that top mounts are easy to install and don’t require much maintenance, but they are not as good-looking as undermount. This, on the other hand, has great aesthetics but is not easy to maintain. It requires a plan for installation because you will need a professional to do the work.