A note about sink cutouts

14 years ago

I often see pics here where the rim of the undermount sink is exposed. this is the "normal" or "traditional" way to undermount a sink and matches the cutout template typically provided by the sink OEM.

several years ago we started customizing our cutouts making the actual hole 1/16" smaller than the vertical wall of the sink(s). It takes more expertise to do it this way as it requires CAD skills and (preferably) a CNC router.

the advantages are that the caulk joint between the sink and countertop is hidden, you have one less surface to clean, and you eliminate the small ledge that gets beat up over time. It also looks cleaner which, for the homeowner, is usually the most attractive feature.

if you are doing an undermount you might want to consider this. fabricators can buy templates from their tooling suppliers for most sinks if they lack the expertise to do it themselves.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

angie_diy
14 years ago
Oldryder, I am confused. I know that you own a stone shop, and I am a mere dilettante. However, I was under the impression that the negative reveal that you suggest is actually easier, not harder, for the fabricator to perform. I was also under the impression that it was (accordingly) a little more standard.

My Elkay sink was designed, they said, so that a positive reveal (i.e., some of sink showing) was more aesthetically pleasing. The instructions directed the installer, in bold letters in multiple places, to make sure the homeowner knew that the installation would have a positive reveal; presumably, Elkay regarded this as the unusual situation.

By the way, we have had many threads on sink reveals. The first one is my favorite due to Circuspeanut's artwork:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0920592124293.html
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0701230626695.html
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0414122722861.html
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1123372129047.html
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0517201412743.html
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg080902291020.html
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0116500717929.html
Debbi Branka
14 years ago
Oldryder - When I was getting my sink, the negative reveal (stone covers the edge of the sink) was teh "standard" install. I went to my fabricator's shop and was very specific that I wanted a positive reveal. Have you ever looked in a hotel under the stone reveal on their bathroom sinks? They are full of mold and gunk. No way I want to have a hidden place that can grow stuff. I wanted the positive reveal so I could clean that little edge and be sure nothing was nasty. I've had it for almost 2 years and wouldn't change it at all. My bathrooms will also be done with a positive reveal when that time comes.
Related Professionals
Dover Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Zanesville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Georgetown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Rockford Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Saginaw Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Oneonta Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Las Cruces Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Amarillo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pierre Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Provo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Olean Kitchen Remodelers · Idaho Falls Kitchen Remodelers · Branson Custom Countertops · Lansing Custom Countertops · Worthington Custom Countertops
ginny20
14 years ago
When I was doing the kitchen, I read the threads on pos vs neg reveal and I asked the opinion of the various granite guys I talked to. I ended up with neg, and I'm happy with it. It isn't hard for me to clean. I think it's like "pulls vs knobs," whatever floats your boat.
PRO
Granite City Services
Original Author
14 years ago
good comments. the trick to doing a good job on a "negative reveal" or overhang is keeping very small. as noted large overhangs are places for bacteria to grow.

an overhang is "easier" if the fabricator isn't concerned about variation in the overhang. On a reveal (top of the sink showing) variation is conspicuous to the end user so it can be considered more challenging.

the standard template from the OEM for a Kohler 2210 (typical vanity sink) is almost 1/2"!! meaning you are losing almost a full inch of sink space if the fabricator uses the Kohler template

regarding whats standard; we've been making sink templates which are sold thru tooling distributors nationally for more than 10 years and have over 1000 kitchen and veggie sinks in our library. the vast majority of those come from the factory with a template that has a reveal (exposed top edge)