undermount vs drop in sink

15 years ago

This is a choice I have to make, I will be using butcher block and to me drop in is alot easier as far the qualtiy of the cut out is concerned.

I do not know how to get the clean straight rounded edges required for the undermount installation..

Another reason I am leaning towards drop in is that with undermount the faucet sits on the wood and likely to get wet, with time this could be a problem even with a water resistant finish applied.

What I don't know is that are we moving towards undermount for everything, am I going to get a instantly outdated look by selecting a drop in sink, even though it is of newer material (granite composite)

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Comments (6)

caryscott
15 years ago
It's a tough one and after looking at all the possibilities and the budget we caved and are putting in a brushed stainless drop-in. I'm opting for a deckless model and still mounting the faucet separatley on the laminate countertop. Long as you can make your peace with it your OK. I prefer an undermount but sometimes you have to compromise. I'm thinking of it as a nice period detail.
wa8b
15 years ago
Take your pick. A trendier undermount installation in a wood counter, with water damage around the deck-mounted plumbing fixtures, or a not-as-trendy drop-in sink with a waterproof deck around the fixtures.

I know which one I'd pick. The set-up that would look best -- longest.

If you must have an undermount sink in a wood countertop, then the only way to go is with a wall-mounted faucet. Deck-mounted fixtures are always going to have water puddling around the faucet handles and spout, which will lead to a grody appearance around the fixtures in a very short time.

In my estimation, a drop-in sink with a fixture deck is the only way to proceed with a wood countertop and deck-mounted fixtures.
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mfrog
15 years ago
In my last kitchen I had a wood countertop with a drop in cast iron sink, I didn't have anyone tell me they thought it looked outdated. The sink had a faucet deck & so I didn't have a problem with water. I caulked well along the edge so I didn't have any problem with water or gunk getting in there.
Jim Peschke
15 years ago
I do agree that you may sacrifice some of the "look" if you do a drop in sink, but you may not have a choice. No matter what the finish, if water is continually pooled in the same places on a horizontal surface it will show signs of wear pretty quick. Not to mention that the edges will be exposed to a lot of water. However, I think you might be able to get a great look with a great drop in sink. A shallow 2 bowl, equal size stainless sink would scream "cheap", but there are many sink types and materials. I think you could find one that looks great and not "cheap".

- Jim
karmicrevival
15 years ago
My Blanco Silgranit sink is drop-in -- by my choice -- over granite. I chose the look because I did not want the overly contemporary look of the undermount.

I like it -- and wouldn't change it at all -- and it does not get dirty or gunky around the seam (and I often wonder how much yuck is up around the top of the average undermount sink that you can't see at first glance).
backinthesaddle
15 years ago
We put a drop-in Silgranit sink in soapstone at our last house and not one of the 100 people that came to the open house or any of the 10 that tried to outbid each other commented on it. The kitchen was a (tiny) total DIY project that we intended to live in for a while, until an ultrasound showed that we needed a bigger house. :)

I was a bit concerned when all the comps with updates had undermounts and I know that some people fixate on that as being "high end" but it didn't affect our sale at all. Butcher block, like soapstone, has a more rustic (not sure that's exactly the word I'm looking for) feel to me and I doubt that anyone who finds the look appealing would discount the value of a wonderful sink and well thought out kitchen.

We're now back to square one in the new house and I'm not totally convinced that we need to attempt a DIY undermount in soapstone/Silgranit this time. Though, I do have a sink in mind that has to be undermounted so we may not have a choice in the matter.

undermount vs drop in sink

Comments (6)

caryscott

wa8b

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mfrog

Jim Peschke

karmicrevival

backinthesaddle

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