Undermount Kitchen Sinks: The Pros and Cons

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Naturally, you want it to be as beautiful as it is functional. While counter space and excellent appliances are obvious features in creating a gorgeous kitchen, the sink is just as important. Although often overlooked, your sink is where you’ll begin to prepare meals and clean up after spending time with family and friends. If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen, consider an undermount sink. These smooth, rimless sinks offer several pros and cons.

Pro: They Have Distinctive Features

One reason so many people are turning to undermount sinks for their kitchen remodels is that of the seamless style. Because the sink is mounted underneath the counter, the lip of it is flush against the countertop. This creates smooth lines with a continuous flow that is perfect for a sophisticated or modern home style. In addition, the sink’s faucets can be installed into the wall for a unique look. Without the eye being drawn to your room's sink, your family and visitors will focus on the other decor in your home. Draw their eyes to the textures, colors, or small art pieces that you love.

Con: Improper Installation Could Mean Failure

Hiring a professional to install your new sink is imperative when using an undermounted model. Without the proper installation, which should include high-quality sealant, the sink can cause serious leakage.

The proper support is also necessary for an undermounted sink. Imagine how much water weighs. Now imagine a full sink. Given that it's a kitchen sink, add in a few pounds of dishes. The items in your sink will get heavy fast and improper support will cause it to sag, or might even send it crashing down.

When hiring someone to install your new sink, ask about their experience installing these models and about the products used. A qualified installation professional will use a two-part epoxy adhesive and seal it with silicone caulking around the edges. He or she may wish to use screws, clips or straps to further secure the sink into the countertop. The entire process typically takes less than an hour when done by a professional.

Pro: They Are Easier to Clean

If you've ever tried to wipe down a counter when the lip of your sink is just above the rest of it, you know how easy it is for food and other grime to get trapped in the tiny crevices around the sink. Do it enough times and you'll need a toothbrush to get rid of all that junk. If you’re tired of wasting perfectly good toothbrushes, get an undermount sink. Since the lip of the sink is just below the surface of the counter, all you need to do is wipe any food debris directly into the sink and rinse it down. Some undermount sinks also include a draining board, built in, to keep the wet dishes off of your countertop. Everything looks cleaner, smells fresher and saves you time

Con: You Need a Specific Type of Countertop

Because an undermount sink requires a lot of strength, it doesn't work well with all types of countertops. If your countertop is quite old, it is probably made of laminate or tile. However, these materials have many weak spots throughout that would make it hard to properly secure the sink. Undermount sinks are best used with materials such as marble, soapstone, concrete or granite. If you don't already have this type of counter, you'll need to replace them in addition to replacing your sink.

Pro: They Are on Trend Without Being Over the Top

If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, you are probably wondering the best way to gain interest by incorporating décor trends without creating something that will be out of style in a few years time. An undermount sink is an excellent way to incorporate a current trend that will still be stylish and functional in a decade or even two. The floating sinks of recent years are gorgeous, but they won’t be very practical as people want to make changes to their homes. An undermount sink has the seamless look that is popular in homes today, it allows for any design style in the surrounding room, and because it is easy to clean, the new homeowners will still enjoy it in several years.

Con: The Price Is Often More Expensive

An undermount sink may or may not cost more than a traditional sink. On average, an undermount sink costs about $300. However, you will also need to factor in other costs. Consider whether you want a higher-end sink, which could cost as much as $800 or more. You must also budget for any countertop replacement you'll need to ensure the sink is secure, as well as labor costs for having a professional install your new sink. Remember, your installation expert will need to create a custom hole in your countertop. This makes it harder to purchase a new sink in the future, so buy one that is of good quality the first time to prevent future problems.

Pro: You’ll Have More Space

A small kitchen may leave you scrambling for space. If you use an undermount sink, you won’t have the edge of the sink to get in the way of potential counter space. Instead, you can use the space right up to the edge of the sink. This makes it easier to use small appliances, cutting boards, knife blocks, or even to store a dish drainer or other small items on your counters. This space saver is perfect for apartments, mother-in-law suites, or smaller homes.

So, what’s the verdict on the pros and cons of undermount kitchen sinks? The choice is up to you.

If you’re on a budget and don’t want to install new countertops, or if you prefer a DIY project, you may wish to try a more traditional approach. However, if you already have a countertop that works well with an undermount sink and you are looking for something beautiful and easy to clean, this type of sink may be just perfect for your kitchen.

Either way, always buy your new kitchen equipment from a well-respected retailer to ensure you are purchasing a high-quality product for your home.