I'd replace the counter and the sink. Avonite isn't anything like quartz. It's like Corian, i.e. acrylic with a filler. It can scratch, and as you've discovered, the sinks are pretty horrid to deal with.

Thanks very much for the info on Avonite. I was going by what the realtor told us. I don't think my parents can afford to replace all the counters and they look pretty great. We'd just like to get a new sink. I emailed Avonite headquarters and will post when and if I hear back. Thanks again.

How wide is the sink, and how wide is the sink base itself?

Avonite is a solid surface.....only to be fabricated by people who are certified in the material. You should call Avonite.. and they can recommend you to a fabricator or possible the original fabricator. Any warranty will be voided if someone alters the countertop who isn't certified in Avonite. Unless the sink is damage or broken....I wouldn't recommend altering it at this time. Here's the thing about integral sinks...they are bonded to be permanent. Regardless of the countertop surface: Stainless steel sinks are clipped and silicone on....they don't bond with the surface like integral solid surface sinks do......which means you have a better sink installation now, than what you would if you had stainless steel. And its seamless, unlike stainless steel...which you'll have a reveal on...a place where dirt and grim can go. Please understand: I'm not bias against stainless steel sinks....in fact, I love them...However, this is just a little information you might want to consider. Worst case: get a top-mount sink....

Reply to Writersblock's
"How wide is the sink, and how wide is the sink base itself?"

The sink dimensions are:
LENGTH at the widest point: 30 1/8"
WIDTH at the widest point: 19 3/8"

By sink base, do you mean the cabinet area for the sink? If so, it's 36"

Thanks.

To SmartDesignGirl - Thank you. You have great points. I've thought of these advantages of keeping the existing sink, too. It's just that the small basin of the sink is too small to wash anything in, but it has the disposal in it, and the large one is not that big either, at least not big enough to soak more than one very large pot in it, and my Mom cooks with several large pots and pans daily. I've thought of having a plumber just switch the disposal to the other side -- one problem solved because the crud from the soaking pots can be processed by the disposal--- but my Mom will still have to stagger the soaking. She cooks mostly Indian food, so soaking is a necessity.

Maybe we should give up and keep this sink, but I'll wait to hear from Avonite first. The countertops and sinks are over 20 yrs old, well out of warranty, so that's not a concern, but I don't want anyone who doesn't know the materials very well to mess them up.

This post was edited by nabq on Tue, Sep 17, 13 at 20:42

If you don't get anywhere with avonite, one possibility would be something like the ikea double domsjo, a farmhouse style sink which sits on the countertop edges and would only need someone to do straight cuts to remove the old sink. I agree it would be best if Avonite has a solution, but if not, you could see if they'll still warrant the counters if one of their fabricators makes the cuts:

Of course you'd probably have to jigger the base cabinet. It might work out easily enough if you have a false drawer or tilt-outs, but if they have full height doors, this isn't going to work.

Just a thought. Did the real estate listing saying their were quartz counters? Did the agent actually say it was quartz? If yes, you may have a case for reimbursement.

When we bought our house the ad read "new roof". Most but not all the roof was new. We ended up getting money from the seller to put a "new roof" on a part that wasn't done.

Personally, I would be very mad that I was deceived.

nabq:

I have performed many sink replacements as an Avonite warranty contractor. Yours is not unusual or particularly difficult.

Perhaps your parents would like a seamed sink in stainless steel? Yes, such a thing is possible: http://www.karranproducts.com/models.html?filter=list_all

The most difficult/expensive part of your job is getting the new sink to fit. Hopefully, you have some matching material. If not, we have some tricks.

It's about $900.00, plumbing included, plus the cost of the sink.

nabq:

I have performed many sink replacements as an Avonite warranty contractor. Yours is not unusual or particularly difficult.

Perhaps your parents would like a seamed sink in stainless steel? Yes, such a thing is possible: http://www.karranproducts.com/models.html?filter=list_all

The most difficult/expensive part of your job is getting the new sink to fit. Hopefully, you have some matching material. If not, we have some tricks.

It's about $900.00, plumbing included, plus the cost of the sink. I am not soliciting for your business, just trying to be helpful.

nabq:

I have performed many sink replacements as an Avonite warranty contractor. Yours is not unusual or particularly difficult.

Perhaps your parents would like a seamed sink in stainless steel? Yes, such a thing is possible: http://www.karranproducts.com/models.html?filter=list_all

The most difficult/expensive part of your job is getting the new sink to fit. Hopefully, you have some matching material. If not, we have some tricks.

It's about $900.00, plumbing included, plus the cost of the sink. I am not soliciting for your business, just trying to be helpful.

Trebruchet -- Thanks for the encouragement. So far, no word back from the Avonite Co., so don't quite know how to locate a licensed Avonite fabricator. All the contractors in NM listed on their site are just kitchen contractors with no particular Avonite experience.

The thing that worries me is that the sink itself and the counter just around it are very thin -- much thinner than the main countertops. I can get a custom stainless sink made here exactly to spec for $900, but I'm concerned the surrounding countertop will not support it. Given your experience, what do you think? If we just cut out the existing sink at the color line in the picture, drop it out and pop in a single-basin sink exactly the same shape and with about a 1.5" lip for top-mounting, will the thinner counter area near the sink support the weight even with cast iron pots in, etc?

Also, do you happen to live in New Mexico? If so, I'd like to contact your company.

nabq:

Contact http://www.backtoperfection.com . I've subbed for these guys and they are great. They can probably get your problem resolved.

All Avonite is 1/2" thick. It just looks thicker at the edge because the 1/2" has been stacked. It is plenty strong enough to support a seamed undermount sink and if you go undermount I would recommend the use of a Hercules Universal Sink Harness available at Braxton Bragg.

I would love to do your job, but I'm new here and they seem to be pretty strict about advertising. I can't blame them because it's not fair to the folks who do pay to advertise. Hope this helps.