Sink Spotlight: Pros and Cons of Undermount Kitchen Sinks
Choosing the perfect sink for your new kitchen renovation can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on kitchen sinks to help you make an informed decision. In this post, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of undermount kitchen sinks. If you’re more interested in inset or butler sinks, we’ve published articles on each of those, too.
If you’ve already decided on how you want to fit your sink, check out some of the other pieces in our Sink Spotlight series. We’ve covered topics like choosing the perfect kitchen tap and each of the most popular materials for kitchen sinks. Click on any of the links below to learn more:
- How to Pick the Perfect Size of Kitchen Sink
- How to Decide on a Great Kitchen Sink Design
- Which Kind of Kitchen Tap is Best for You?
- Add Function With Kitchen Sink Accessories
- Our Top Advice for Hiring a Plumber
- Stainless Steel Sink Pros and Cons
- Fireclay Sink Pros and Cons
- Cast Iron Sink Pros and Cons
- Acrylic Sink Pros and Cons
- Ceramic Kitchen Sink Pros and Cons
- Pros & Cons of Composite Kitchen Sinks
- Trendy Copper Sink Pros and Cons
Kitchen Renovator Price Guide
Pros and Cons of Undermount Kitchen Sinks
Pros
- undermount kitchen sinks look expensive
- easy to clean both the surrounding counter and the sink
- available in many different materials
Cons
- more expensive to fit than drop-in sinks
- hard to DIY the installation
Undermount Kitchen Sinks
With an undermount sink, your worktop sits above the lip of your sink, creating a continuous path from the worktop to the sink. This makes it easier to brush crumbs or other food scraps into your sink. These sinks are also easier to clean than drop-in sinks, as there is no ledge on top of the worktop that catches crumbs or other debris.
If you’re leaning towards an undermount sink, know that they work better with some worktops and worse with others. An undermount sink will work well and look great with a solid worktop (like granite, quartz, or concrete). They don’t work well with a laminate or tile worktop. Solid worktops are able to support the weight of an undermount sink, while laminate or tile worktops have too many weak spots to hold the weight of this sink. Laminate worktops also have an unsightly edge when cut that would look bad when paired with an undermount sink.
This type of sink is relatively expensive to purchase and install, as it needs to be installed in a particular fashion in order to be strong enough to hold a sink full of dishes. These sinks must be built with specific materials that are stronger than materials used for drop-in sinks. When you choose this type of kitchen sink, you’ll also need to install a kitchen tap on your countertop or wall.
You won’t want to DIY this project, as it could result in your sink falling apart from your worktop. Instead, you can find a professional plumber to install your new sink on Bidvine. All you need to do is answer a few quick questions and you’ll be on your way to custom bids from skilled sink fitters.