Under mount sink vs traditional 'overmount'

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

About to order a bench top for our new kitchen renovation. It will be a black stone bench top. We were advised by a kitchen designer that an 'undermount' sink runs the risk of chipping the surface when placing large heavy items in the sink. Mounting my sink on top seems less contemporary to me and I wanted to know which is the most stylish option? Is there really a risk to the edge of the bench top by undermounting?

Featured Answer

hatetoshop

12 years ago

I did chip the granite around the undercount sink in my last home. It was a case of misjudging where the edge was as I placed something large and heavy in the sink.

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Comments (10)

squonk27
Original Author
12 years ago
Anyone out there??
PRO
Sharon Charboneau, RESA Pro, Interior Stylist
12 years ago
I have not heard of this, so can't comment. However, I think it's personal taste. Check out Ideabooks on this site for looks that you find appealing, and then review with Kitchen Specialists/Plumber.

I have an undermount in my own kitchen and have had no issues, as I think it has to do with proper installation.
squonk27 thanked Sharon Charboneau, RESA Pro, Interior Stylist
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PRO
S&K Interiors LLC
12 years ago
We have used undermount on all of our contemporary/modern designs for years with no issues with chipping. We have only used granite or other solid surfaces such as Cambria, Silestone, etc. We can't say whether chipping is possible with a laminate surface.
squonk27 thanked S&K Interiors LLC
saratogaswizzlestick
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Never heard that before. I place huge pots filled with boiling water ect in my oversized under mount seat and have experienced no issues. I also prefer both the look and functionality of an under mount sink. I have granite, perhaps if you are putting in laminate there could be a chipping concern.
squonk27 thanked saratogaswizzlestick
red543
11 years ago
Laminate countertop + undermount sink is the way to go for a neat kitchen.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
11 years ago
Laminate and undermount I don't think that is a good idea. She did say she has black stone counter though so I would go undermount.
feeny
11 years ago
With softer stones (soapstone, or even marble) there is a risk of chipping at the sink edge with an undermount. Granite is pretty hard to chip, though as hatetoshop notes, not impossible. I'd still do an undermount for aesthetics with any countertop (including laminate--though the undermount options there are more limited).
Anne Jacobs
10 years ago
I am renovating my kitchen and in the past have always had undermount with granite. I've never had an edge chipping issue; however, there was a mold issue underneath in this current kitchen. I am currently renovating my kitchen and have ordered a fabulous Kohler black cast iron sink that in the showroom was overmount which is how it caught my eye. It can be installed either way, but I'm leaning towards overmount. My contractor votes undermount although he has not yet seen the sink. Is overmount such a dated look? My countertops will be Cambria which have there own beauty. Any comments or suggestions as to why an overmount is not the way to go?
Terri Jensen
9 years ago
Am considering changong to an undermount sink in our new house when we update the counters. My only concerns with an overmount sink is the inconvenience of not being able to simply wipe crumbs, spills, etc., directly into the sink, and also the possibility of crumbs, etc., getting trapped under the edges.