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How much reveal is too much for undermount lavatory?

13 years ago

My white quartzite master bath countertops got installed today, and they also installed the undermount lavatories (Kathyrn from Kohler). I gave the fabricator the template from Kohler for the sinks and did not think anything of it.

Well, as I looked at them tonight after work, I noticed there is a fairly significant reveal. Fortunately, it is a negative reveal (I think I have that right - the hole is smaller than the sink), but the countertop sticks out maybe 1/4" into the sink all the way around. It seems excessive to me and I wonder if it would look better with a lesser reveal.

Without the template in my hand, I cannot tell if they cut it correctly and it is Kohler's template that defined the size.

Is this standard size? Too much? Is it a real pain to take the countertop out and cut the hole a little larger? Expensive? Am I just being paranoid that I did something wrong?

(But other than this, I think the countertops are gorgeous!)

Advice?

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Comments (7)

wi-sailorgirl
13 years ago
I really, really, really want to see your countertops! I'm sort of wishing now I had gone with white quartzite, but the whole countertop thing was such a debacle I ought to be happy I have anything coming. Anyway, to get to your question, I know nothing about about reveals, etc., but a quarter-inch doesn't sound like too much to me. At least not too much to make it worth redoing.
pussuskattus
Original Author
13 years ago
wi-sailorgirl:
I will post some pictures of the countertops as soon as I can - and, just to make you jealous, my island countertop in the kitchen is also quartzite. (And it's huge - 13 feet wide by 4 feet deep!)
I may call the countertop guy (we have more work to do with them that is not quoted yet - they may want to help me to keep the rest of the work). I have four Kathryn sinks that are the smaller sinks, and their reveals are 1/16th of an inch. The two in the master are the larger Kathyrn sinks and they have the big overhang. Since I am not asking for a new slab, they might be willing to take them back and cut the hole a little bigger.

Should have pix tomorrow.
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We have 2 undermount sinks...the large Franke Pro 30" and the smaller Franke 12" prep sink. The Pro is huge, deep (you can bathe a dog in it, LOL), and has a square profile, with barely rounded corners. The prep sink is small, square, with widely rounded corners. I do think the brackets take a certain amount of space. Our 30" sink is in a 33" base cab. Your cabinet manufacturer can determine if you have sufficient space for each brand of sink you are considering. That's part of their job. Undermounting is super strong. Do not worry about a heavy turkey making the sink fall thru. A slight reveal (which is pretty standard) actually finishes the installation nicely. Gives you a smooth looking sink/counter joint. However, it does collect food and dirt over time, but is easily cleaned. For our bathroom sinks, we had no reveal. Easier to keep clean, and no place for toothepaste and shaved hairs to collect. As for depth of sink...our Pro is 11" deep, the prep is 6". Both function well for their purposes. I find I use the prep sink a lot...water doesn't splash everywhere, I use that faucet to fill saucepans (the main sink for the pasta pot), etc. I did put Insinkerators in both sinks. And at 12" wide, it's certainly large enough to use a colander. I cannot speak for the Kindred sinks...and would be loathe to buy any sink without at least seeing and touching it in person. What you want to know is the guage of the stainless steel used...thicker is better. And when you template and install your countertops, if you use granite or quartz, you have to have the sinks on hand at the job site. Your fabricator will need to take the sinks with him back to the factory...they are templated and installed there, then returned with the countertops for final installation.
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wi-sailorgirl
13 years ago
Oh sure ... just stick that knife in farther! Just kidding ... but if you're posting photos don't forget some of the kitchen! :)
jimnyo
12 years ago
bump. but of course, it's probably too late if my reveal or overhang is too much/little b/c the countertop is installed. :(
pricklypearcactus
12 years ago
I have a Restoration Hardware vanity where the negative reveal is fairly severe. 1/4" sounds about right. (I'm not home right now to check.) I was surprised, but the sink still looks great. I think I would prefer about 1/8", but the 1/4" is just fine too. I'm not certain what "normal" is.
paige16
12 years ago
to pricklypearcactus,
Do you have a definite opinion on a pedestal sink from Restoration Hardware versus Kohler?
pricklypearcactus
12 years ago
Sorry page16, but I have a RH vanity not a pedestal sink. I have been quite happy with all of the products I've purchased from RH, so their pedestal sinks are probably quite nice. I am about to install a Toto pedestal sink and am quite happy with the styling and quality. You might want to check out Toto as well. If you search the forum, you'll probably find others that have purchased a Kohler pedestal sink and might have some opinions.

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