A Quick Guide to Drop-In Kitchen Sinks

If you’re tackling a kitchen remodel, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sink choices available on the market. Even after removing all the bells and whistles, like color or finish or matching faucets, you’ll find there are many different styles of sinks, with drop-in sinks in particular showing up everywhere you look. Before deciding to install one, it is wise to learn all about drop-in kitchen sinks: the pros and cons, the ins and outs, and the care and proper maintenance of these familiar household remodel standbys.

What is a Drop-In Sink?

Drop-in kitchen sinks, also called self-rimming sinks, overmount sinks, or top-mount sinks, are sink basins that install and sit on top of your kitchen counter. There is a visible rim or lip on the perimeter of the basin that rests just over the cut-out for the sink. Drop-in sinks are supported by this lip and a series of hidden clips that attach to the underside of the countertop.

What Overmount Sink Styles Are Available?

Drop-in kitchen sink basins come in a wide variety of options to match your preference and style for your home.

• Double-basin sinks are the most popular type of top-mount kitchen sinks available to consumers, closely followed by the ever-reliable, single-basin designs.  
• Three-bowl drop-in kitchen sinks offer a third basin for extra space and a characteristic shape. These are fairly common in commercial kitchens, however, more stylized versions can also be found for home use. If you use your kitchen for cooking elaborate dishes, or would like an extra basin to dedicate to grimy chores or gardening, a three-bowl design may be for you.
• Sink manufacturers also offer double basins with low dividers. These drop-in sinks are a hybrid of single and double basin sinks: one large basin is divided into two sides by a low wall that allows water to spill over from either side.
• If you’re looking for a sink that does double or triple duty, you can look for a drainboard sink. These overmount styles include a built-in dish draining area and cutting board as part of the rim design.
• For tricky areas that necessitate sticking your kitchen sink in a corner, a limited number of manufacturers also offer corner mounting drop-in kitchen sinks.

What Materials are Drop-In Sinks Made From?

Stainless steel is the most popular material for drop-in sinks. Made from a mixture of steel, chromium, and nickel, it’s affordable and strong. Steel is also easily recycled and repurposed. If American-made and eco-friendly processes are a priority in deciding where to spend your hard-earned money, it’s not hard to find sinks made domestically from recycled materials. Stainless steel, self-rimming sinks range from 22-gauge thickness to 16-gauge thickness. The lower the number, the thicker the sink, and the better the durability, but at a higher price tag.

If stainless steel isn’t your preference, you can also find overmount basins made from natural or manufactured stone. Stone drop-in basins may be fully made from one material or a composite of several materials. Popular choices for kitchen sinks include granite, soapstone, and quartz.

Stone drop-in sinks are typically more durable than stainless steel and other metal basins but also have their own set of drawbacks and specific cleaning needs. Certain chemicals can wear off the protective finish over the stone, resulting in a stain or bleach-spot that is susceptible to scratching and catching grime, ruining the appearance and the durability of the sink. Be careful to only use cleaning supplies that are safe for stone if you choose that route.

Other materials such as cast iron, copper, and ceramic are also options when it comes to kitchen sink models, though they’re far less common than their stone and steel counterparts. They also may have very specific care needs and usage limitations. For instance, while cast iron is durable, often the porcelain or enamel coating used to seal it is susceptible to scratches or chipping which can, over time, lead to rust problems. Acrylic sinks are durable, however, they are prone to scratching, and can melt when exposed to a hot pot or boiling water.

The Advantages of Drop-In Sinks

Drop-in sinks have some clear advantages over other styles, especially in the kitchen.

Cost

They’re generally cheaper to buy and easier to install than undermount sinks. In fact, even weekend warriors and DIY newbies should have no problem installing a basic overmount sink. If cost is a consideration in your kitchen, an overmount sink with a do-it-yourself install is a great way to stay within budget.

Cleaning

While cleaning may not be your foremost concern when choosing a kitchen sink, it should be considered. After all, you’ll have to care for and maintain your sink regularly. The basin of an overmount sink is easier to clean than the basin of an undermount sink.

Protection

If you’ve got soft countertops, drop-in sinks can help protect the edges of the sink cutout.

• Marble and some specialty counter finishes benefit from the added protection provided by the lip of a drop-in kitchen sink basin. It prevents the build up of water on the surface edges of the stone through repeated exposure of use.
• If you have laminate countertops, drop-in sinks are the only option: the particle board below the laminate surface isn’t strong enough to support undermount sinks but plays well with self-rimming basin types.

The Disadvantages of Drop-In Sinks

It wouldn’t be fair to sing the praises of drop-in sinks without mentioning their problems as well.

Size

Self-rimming kitchen sinks take up valuable counter space with the overhang. If you’re working with a small kitchen and simply need that extra space for food prep, a drop-in sink might not be the best choice.

Cleaning

Cleaning drop-in sinks isn’t all fun and games. While the basin of an overmount sink is easier to clean, drop-in sinks make it harder to clean the surrounding countertop, particularly when the sink is close to a wall or backsplash. The area between the sink overhang and the wall can create a hard-to-reach channel that becomes a natural pooling place for sink water and grime. Not only that, but food particles and water can become trapped under the rim of overmount sinks, leading to mildew and bacteria buildup.

Design

If you’re looking to build a designer, high-end kitchen, you may not want a drop-in sink. The overhanging edge raises and rounds off the edge of the sink, compromising on the aesthetics of straight-lined countertops when used with pricey materials like granite or quartz. Similarly, if you know you’ll be moving, overmount sinks do nothing to add to the resale value of your home.

Choosing a Drop-In Sink

When choosing a drop-in sink, consider your habits while cooking, cleaning, and performing regular household chores to choose the sink configuration that best meets your needs. You may find that a single- or double-basin drop-in sink is just right for you, or you may opt for a different basin configuration while still taking advantage of the overmount sink design.  For those low on counter space, a drop-in drainboard sink may be just the ticket to take advantage of precious kitchen countertop real estate.

Choosing a kitchen sink doesn’t have to be difficult, even though there are seemingly endless sink options available on the market. Consider everything about drop-in kitchen sinks: the pros and cons, the various basin styles and materials available to consumers, and any budgetary and resale value concerns when considering a self-rimming or overmount sink for your home.