Sink size fitting into cabinet

14 years ago

My current cabinet size for the area for my kitchen sink is 42" and it currently holds a 42" 30 year old cast iron 3 bowl sink. Why does a new Elkay 40" 3 bowl sink require a 45" cabinet? The current cast iron is a top mount and Elkay is an under mount if that matters. I have a trash compactor to the left and cookie sheet cabinet to the right and obviously cannot or do not want to move the compactor and if I use the area to the right and install the sink it will be off centered. Is there any way to fit the new Elkay into the cabinet without changing anything? We're talking 3 little inches, 1 1/2 on each side!

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Comments (7)

selphydeg
14 years ago
That's a good question. I am interested in the silgranite single bowl. The bowl is 30", yet the catalog said that it requires a 36" sink cabinet. Maybe the catalog just say that to make sure people will have enough space?
rollie
14 years ago
Top mount vs undermount does matter.. Top mount has gravity on its side, and the undermount needs room for the supports..

Now, I'm not saying that the 40 inch sink needs the full 45inches, because I know that it doesnt, nor does the 30 inch bowl need 36 inches of cabinet space..

Framed or frameless makes a difference also.

Frameless gives you a wider opening between the sides than framed..
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angie_diy
14 years ago
In which Elkay sink are you interested?
User
14 years ago
You've got to have room for the sink clips or the cradle in the cabinet. If you don't have enough room, you have to scoop the sides of the adjacent cabinets to provide for the sink support. That not only voids your cabinet warranty but it also offers less support for your granite in an area that needs all the support it can get for a heavy sink full of heavy water.
willtv
14 years ago
That sink should fit in your present cabinet.
A 42" cabinet typically has 40 1/2" of interior space.
If that's true in your case then the sink should fit.
It may be a bit of a tight squeeze, but it should fit.
Other things to consider are if you'll be able to fit the sink through the cabinet door opening to get it into position, and if your present countertop cutout will accommodate the new sink.
mrsjoe
14 years ago
I have a question about scooping out the sides. I've seen it done on framed cabinets, but you probably couldn't do it on frameless right?
carters5
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I should have mentioned that the interior of the cabinet is actually 42". I thought that was the size of the cabinet. Also, I am having the counter tops changed so fitting the sink in through cab doors is not an issue. In any event, I am looking at a two bowl sink now. Really beginning to feel like the 3 bowl is a real pain to work with. Water is always getting all over your clothes from splashing on the middle dividers. I have been torn because the window above it is a 70" window and I didn't want to have a smaller sink in front of it but I think I have found a Blanco that's a 33" and a Julien that's a 38". Only problem now is that the Blanco has the finish I want and the left larger bowl, but the Julien has the width but not the finish. Not sure if the Julien at 18x18 two bowls will look modern enough with two exact bowl sizes as opposed to the Blanco with the left bowl larger than the right.