The Great Sink Debate – Overmount or Undermount?
How to choose the best kitchen sink, deciding between drop-in or undermount, for your next kitchen renovation
Renovating a kitchen requires numerous pressure-filled decisions – the wrong choices will have an impact for years to come. This is certainly true for the kitchen sink. Style, cost and functionality all come into play, and overmount and undermount sinks each have their pros and cons.
Overmount sinks, otherwise known as drop-in or top-mount sinks, are inserted into a hole in the benchtop, their weight supported by a lip resting on top of the benchtop. On the other hand, as their name suggests, undermount sinks are inset into the cabinet below, and end up sitting slightly lower than the benchtop surface. Let’s weigh up the good and bad points of each to make the choice easier.
Overmount sinks, otherwise known as drop-in or top-mount sinks, are inserted into a hole in the benchtop, their weight supported by a lip resting on top of the benchtop. On the other hand, as their name suggests, undermount sinks are inset into the cabinet below, and end up sitting slightly lower than the benchtop surface. Let’s weigh up the good and bad points of each to make the choice easier.
Cost and installation
Undermount sinks are typically used with stone benchtops because the edges are exposed and need to be able to withstand rough treatment and moisture over time – less-expensive benchtop choices such as laminate and timber tend not to be suitable for this style for the same reasons.
Undermount sinks cost more to install, however, because the stone around the edges needs to be polished smooth (a top-mount sink drops in, covering up the rough benchtop edges in the process). In rebate undermount sinks, where sinks are recessed slightly under the bench or when the benchtop is thicker than 30 millimetres, backside machining is also required to polish the underside of the benchtop around the sink.
Undermount sinks are typically used with stone benchtops because the edges are exposed and need to be able to withstand rough treatment and moisture over time – less-expensive benchtop choices such as laminate and timber tend not to be suitable for this style for the same reasons.
Undermount sinks cost more to install, however, because the stone around the edges needs to be polished smooth (a top-mount sink drops in, covering up the rough benchtop edges in the process). In rebate undermount sinks, where sinks are recessed slightly under the bench or when the benchtop is thicker than 30 millimetres, backside machining is also required to polish the underside of the benchtop around the sink.
If you’re planning to DIY your kitchen reno, consider getting a professional in if you’re hoping to go the undermount option. Undermount sinks are effectively ‘glued’ in. If this isn’t done well, don’t be surprised when a heavy sink load of water and dishes comes crashing to the floor.
VERDICT: Undermount sinks cost slightly more, but not nearly as much as they used to because of advances in machining technology.
See more turquoise kitchen spaces
VERDICT: Undermount sinks cost slightly more, but not nearly as much as they used to because of advances in machining technology.
See more turquoise kitchen spaces
Cleaning
One of the great things about undermount sinks is that crumbs can be swept straight from the benchtop into the sink – there’s no sink rim to get in your way. Before you give the gold medal to undermount sinks, however, keep in mind what happens around the edge of an undermount sink where it joins the benchtop – it’s sealed with silicone caulking that can be a magnet for kitchen sink grime. There may also be a gap between the top of the sink and the underside of the benchtop, another prime hiding spot for gunky build-up.
One of the great things about undermount sinks is that crumbs can be swept straight from the benchtop into the sink – there’s no sink rim to get in your way. Before you give the gold medal to undermount sinks, however, keep in mind what happens around the edge of an undermount sink where it joins the benchtop – it’s sealed with silicone caulking that can be a magnet for kitchen sink grime. There may also be a gap between the top of the sink and the underside of the benchtop, another prime hiding spot for gunky build-up.
Overmount sinks have their cleaning drawbacks too, of course, The silicon seal around the edge can lose its pristine good looks over time and needs replacing when it shows wear and tear, to prevent water leaking through to the cabinet below.
“I have a sink that is above mounted and the exposed edge gets dirty quickly, plus the silicone sealant is starting to peel away,” says Houzzer kjvp.
Robandlyn agrees, saying undermount sinks are easier to clean and look classier. “I have had both and far prefer an undermount,” the homeowner adds.
VERDICT: Undermount sinks may look easy to clean, but beware the hidden grime beneath – caulking needs to be replaced just as often for undermount sinks (every three to five years) as it does for top-mount sinks.
“I have a sink that is above mounted and the exposed edge gets dirty quickly, plus the silicone sealant is starting to peel away,” says Houzzer kjvp.
Robandlyn agrees, saying undermount sinks are easier to clean and look classier. “I have had both and far prefer an undermount,” the homeowner adds.
VERDICT: Undermount sinks may look easy to clean, but beware the hidden grime beneath – caulking needs to be replaced just as often for undermount sinks (every three to five years) as it does for top-mount sinks.
Room to move
If space is on the tight side, undermount sinks can maximise benchtop space because the bench can extend all the way to the edge of the sink (and even a bit more, if the sink is rebated underneath).
If you’re leaning towards an undermount sink, don’t forget to take the drainer into account. Metcalf says, “There are undermount sinks with built-in drainers but for those looking for something that will not visually interrupt the benchtop, a milled drainer is a clear winner.”
If space is on the tight side, undermount sinks can maximise benchtop space because the bench can extend all the way to the edge of the sink (and even a bit more, if the sink is rebated underneath).
If you’re leaning towards an undermount sink, don’t forget to take the drainer into account. Metcalf says, “There are undermount sinks with built-in drainers but for those looking for something that will not visually interrupt the benchtop, a milled drainer is a clear winner.”
Overmount sinks have a lip that reduces the surface area available for food prep and appliance storage on either side.
VERDICT: In small kitchens where every centimetre counts, undermount sinks win out.
VERDICT: In small kitchens where every centimetre counts, undermount sinks win out.
Style
The streamlined look of an undermount sink can suit contemporary kitchens and make a kitchen look more upmarket.
Browse more undermount sinks
The streamlined look of an undermount sink can suit contemporary kitchens and make a kitchen look more upmarket.
Browse more undermount sinks
But be sure to look at all the options available before making a decision. Some overmount sinks can look just as sleek as their undermounted cousins.
VERDICT: Undermount sinks are the go-to choice for most renovators, but don’t discount drop-in sinks before you’ve seen what’s on offer.
VERDICT: Undermount sinks are the go-to choice for most renovators, but don’t discount drop-in sinks before you’ve seen what’s on offer.
Choice of materials
Although undermount sinks can be made of just about anything –stainless steel is the most common material, but sinks can also be ceramic or even concrete – the benchtop in which it sits is usually limited to a solid-surface material such as stone.
How to choose a stainless steel sink
Although undermount sinks can be made of just about anything –stainless steel is the most common material, but sinks can also be ceramic or even concrete – the benchtop in which it sits is usually limited to a solid-surface material such as stone.
How to choose a stainless steel sink
The Kitchen Broker’s Brett Patterson cautions that stone benchtop edges exposed by undermount sinks can more easily chip. “They look great but in such a busy area, especially with large pots, it’s easy to chip the edges if you’re not careful,” Patterson says. “We advise our clients to select a drop-in sink with a low-profile edge that will protect the stone, unless they are prepared to be very careful … and some of our clients are, usually the ones without children.”
The kitchen above features a drop-in sink with a low-profile edge.
The kitchen above features a drop-in sink with a low-profile edge.
If you have your heart set on the warmth and appeal of timber, or are on a budget and want to cut costs with a good-looking laminate, an overmount sink could also prove the best choice.
VERDICT: Drop-in sinks give you more benchtop material options and can better protect benchtop edges over the long haul.
VERDICT: Drop-in sinks give you more benchtop material options and can better protect benchtop edges over the long haul.
Resale value
Kitchens and bathrooms are well known to add real value to a home come sale time. An undermount sink can bring a touch of class to a kitchen and won’t interrupt a contemporary design’s clean lines.
Kitchens and bathrooms are well known to add real value to a home come sale time. An undermount sink can bring a touch of class to a kitchen and won’t interrupt a contemporary design’s clean lines.
On the other hand, if a kitchen has been well designed with quality materials and, more importantly, is clean and welcoming, buyers will be lining up to make it their own.
VERDICT: Good design wins, no matter what the sink style.
VERDICT: Good design wins, no matter what the sink style.
Still can’t decide?
A sink integrated into the benchtop is a third option worth considering. Whether stainless steel, porcelain or even concrete, a variety of benchtop materials can be manipulated to accommodate a sink or two – seamlessly.
A sink integrated into the benchtop is a third option worth considering. Whether stainless steel, porcelain or even concrete, a variety of benchtop materials can be manipulated to accommodate a sink or two – seamlessly.
Tell us
Which sink style do you prefer? Tell us in the Comments, and don’t forget to save your favourite images into an ideabook.
More
If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen, find a kitchen professional here to talk through your options
Which sink style do you prefer? Tell us in the Comments, and don’t forget to save your favourite images into an ideabook.
More
If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen, find a kitchen professional here to talk through your options
If you’re wary of being a slave to kitchen fashion (and paying for it later), it makes sense to put practicalities first and style second. Let’s break it down.