Kitchen Sinks Undermount

Sleek and Sophisticated

Sinks that are basically flushed from its supporting counter is called an undermount sink. This set-up presents a more sophisticated installation of kitchen sinks.

For this reason, kitchen sinks undermount is steadily growing in popularity amongst those who are upgrading and remodeling their kitchens. These sinks are ideal for stone countertops because they accentuate the gorgeous grain and polished edge of the stone that rise above the rim of the sink. They have a sleeker profile than the typical overmounted sinks because they are installed at the bottom of the counter. Aside from their effective use of space, their seamless appearance gives them a more sophisticated and classy look.

With these types of sinks, your kitchen will have a more sophisticated appearance because, instead of the corners of the sink covering the side of the kitchen platform, it will be your stone countertop that will be seen. Kitchen sinks that are recessed from the counter are best for countertops that are made of granite, marble and engineered or solid surface stones. Undermounted sinks appear suspended over the countertop but in reality, they are hooked up firmly at the base of the countertop. Therefore a strong and durable stone countertop is the most ideal in supporting the weight of the kitchen sinks undermount.

Styles and Designs
Kitchen sinks undermount are available in many styles, designs and material construction. There are the usual single, double and triple bowls. They are also equipped with standard holes for faucets and sprayers. Their shapes are usually the standard square or rectangles. Some manufacturers also produce a variety of shapes which includes circular, oval, partially-rounded and custom shapes. They are also available in different colors and surface finishes.

Material Construction
Kitchen sinks undermount are also made of different types of materials. The most common material used are stainless steel and cast iron coated with an enamel finish. If you want a more exotic looking sink, there are sink undermounts made of copper, titanium and brass. They can be more expensive though than the common standard materials. If you want a more artsy sink, you can go for a fire clay model or china and porcelain. There are also granite sink undermounts for those who prefer and can afford them. The least heavy and the most convenient to install are those made of acrylic.

Advantages
There are many decided advantages for mounting the sink under the counter. Here are some of them.
• The undermount set-up enhances the elegance and sophistication of your kitchen.
• Easy cleaning of food, water spills and other wastes. These items are easily collected and no worry of getting these items trapped on the rim of the sink since there is no exposed rim in the first place.
• Because of its rimless and seamless nature, there is not much need of attention and maintenance.
• Since the plumbing is hidden underneath the sink, no clutter is seen on the counter. It makes for a clean and orderly look all the time.
• Since there is no part of the sink appearing on top of the counter area, there is not much problem with the blending of color. It will not interrupt the countertop color harmony since it is below the countertop surface.
• Even if there is rusting on the sink, it will not be visible since the sink is undermounted.

Disadvantages
Here are some of the drawbacks in using kitchen sinks undermount.
• These types of sinks are more difficult to install than the standard overmounted sinks. It is not advised to do it yourself which means additional expense in its installation.
• Undermounted sinks can only be accommodated by adjusting your cabinet platform. Not all standard cabinets can accommodate these undermounted sinks.
• As they are harder to install, they are also hard to remove. This is a consideration once you need to replace your undermount sink.

Daily Care and Maintenance
To help prolong the service life of your kitchen sinks undermount, you need to use them carefully and give them their proper daily care. Here are some of the things that you can do.
• When cleaning the surface, use only soft and non-abrasive cloth and mild detergents that do not contain harsh chemicals. Don’t use scouring pads and brushes with hard bristles. They may cause accidental scratches on the sink’s surface.
• Clean food wastes and other debris right away. Don’t let them linger on the surface as they can deposit unsightly stains.
• After you are through using your undermounted sinks for the day, wipe them clean and dry. This will help prevent dirt and stains from leaving their imprint on the sink’s surface.
• Never use strong bleaches and detergents with harsh chemicals as they may ruin the surface protection of your sink.