Drop in or undermount for bathroom sink?

last year

My kitchen sink is an undermount and I hate it. I don't think it was installed properly and "stuff" gathers where the sink meets the granite and is impossible to clean off the caulk or glue that is there. Undermount looks better but I'm unsure if it will be hard to clean under the mount. Any thoughts/advice appreciated. And is porcelain best sink to use?

Featured Answer

kandrewspa

last year

I have had undermounts (in granite and marble) in numerous bathrooms (current and previous house) and never had the problem you describe. But in my current house the kitchen sink is an undermounted SS sink (in granite) that does have this issue, which makes me wonder if it is an installation issue.

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Comments (13)

NagyMama
last year
In my experience, drop in sinks are easier to clean and keep clean - bathroom or kitchen. Plus, I prefer the look. I’m redoing all sinks in my house from under mount to drop in.
Deborah Lee thanked NagyMama
NagyMama
last year
PS: I agree about the gunk.
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K Laurence
last year
I guess it’s just a personal preference. I’ve had both, never had a problem with my undermount sinks, but I really dislike my vessel sinks in our master bath ( installed by previous owner ) , replacing them with undermount sinks.
Boxerpal
last year
@K Laurence yes, I agree. I almost got a vessel sink and am thankful I did not. I hear they are a pia to clean.

Drop in or undermount.? I like the undermount in our kitchen but I have not had issues with the gunk under the sink. I agree with Kandrewspa, it might be how it was installed. We have drop ins in out master bath. either would have been fine.
kculbers
last year
I love my undermounted sinks. I have them in my kitchen and 3 bathrooms. The were expertly installed; no issues.
Deborah Lee thanked kculbers
kculbers
last year
Oops here is a picture of my undermounted sink.
Deborah Lee thanked kculbers
acm
last year
You could do Corian counters and get integral sinks -- no seam at all! :)
K Laurence
last year
Boxer pal, .… yes, cleaning more difficult plus cords from hair blower, etc. get caught on them.
chispa
last year
I have remodeled/built 11 bathrooms over the years and never considered anything but undermount sinks. I did use a Corian integrated sink in one of my kids' bathrooms and that was really easy to clean.

I have lived with drop-in sink in the past and would not choose that for a remodel/build.

Corian integrated sink. Using the same white for sink and counter, you don't even see the seam.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
If you have black/brown crud at an undermounted sink, that sink is leaking, I promise. The sink must be dropped, the stone bottom and sink flange cleaned, the flange siliconed, and the sink must be strapped, not clipped or blocked, back in place.

If your undermount sink is leaking, that's fabricator/installer error.

A seam undermounted sink such as Corian or Karran does not have mechanical fasteners, no silicone, no reveal, and no crud line or maintenance ever.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I always bow to Joseph on this subject I think the install is almost always the issue and for sure if gunk is getting in there . I never like integrated sinks and always love stainless regardless of which type
kculbers
last year
Patricia Colwell Consulting. I totally agree with you. Any wonderful, no issue, kitchen reno is not only about the products you choose, but also how correctly they are installed.