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Fireclay undermount sink with butcher block counters???

7 years ago

I am trying to find a sink that

1. Will fit in my 33" base cabinet

2. Can arrive by June 5th

3. Is a undermount and white

I was going to get a granite composite sink like this:

https://www.wayfair.com/Alfi-Brand-Lewis-30-x-17.75-Undermount-Single-Bowl-Kitchen-Sink-NBT1291.html

But it is back ordered and most likely won't arrive in time for our install.

Then I found this fireclay sink that would be perfect. More expensive but I think it will be worth it:

https://www.qualitybath.com/barclay-ks30-pierina-fireclay-sink-29-12-w-x-19-l-x-11-h-product-221224.htm

So here is my concern. Will a fireclay sink be too heavy for ikea butcher block counters? Our plan is to upgrade to quartz counter in 3-4 years, but butcher block for now.

And anyone one that has a fireclay sink, do you love it? Hate it?

Featured Answer

PRO

Linda

6 years ago

I purchased my IKEA butcher block countertops about 10 years ago and stored them for a couple more years before install. They had changed sizes and had the original size for 80% off and I couldn't resist a bargain. A few years later I picked up a Herbeau fireclay sink for $40 at ReStore and decided it was time to tackle my kitchen update. I finished the countertops with multiple coats of pure tung oil over a couple of weeks.

Shortly after that, my hubby and I went on vacation and had a friend's girlfriend stay with the children for a week. I returned to find that she had used a dishtowel laid on the countertop to drain handwashed dishes. The water sitting on the countertop soaked through the finish and damaged the counter. Over the years since, we have had several more instances of damage and now have a split beside the sink. When we initially installed the counter, we were most concerned about the seam we needed several inches from the sink. We ended up using an epoxy product and the seam has been the most successful part of the installation.

In summary, I won't use IKEA butcherblock again. The quality of the wood just doesn't meet my quality standards with too many knots, and uneven pieces. I also wouldn't use any butcherblock near water because I don't want to have to worry about a visitor or cleaner damaging the surface accidentally. I'm planning to use either Corian or a stone remnant for my laundry room remodel.

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Comments (12)

mayhemingway
7 years ago
I thought long and hard about this myself, but my concern wasn't the weight of the sink (I used the Houzer Porcela which is enamelled steel and light weight). My worry was water. I wound up doing IKEA butcher block with an IKEA farmhouse sink in our laundry room, and am so glad I didn't use the same IKEA butcher block in our kitchen with the undermount sink. It simply doesn't hold up great. It's split in 2 spots near the sink after limited use, and that's with an over mount sink. We chose local marble for the perimeter of our kitchen to go with our undermount, and did a hard block maple buctcher block island. I'm so glad I spent the extra money, because I'm not worried about wear and tear the way I am in our laundry room. I know people have used IKEA butcher block with undermount sinks with success, but I wouldn't personally recommend it--at least not the oak version of the Hammarp.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
The weight of an undermount sink is irrelevant to countertop material. The weight of the sink is born by the cabinets whether the sink is built-in or strapped in place.
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We ordered our undermount prep sink for our butcher block island, and when it was time for install, my (fabulous) GC was like, nope. Not doing it. He said the edges would turn black and I would hate it. I showed him pictures in magazines, but he pretty much refused to do it. I suspect it can be done if it's sealed right, but I'm not unhappy with how he did mine. He routed it into the wood top, so it's perfectly flush. It's not the gorgeous undermount look I was going for, to be honest, but I deferred to him because he's not just a GC, he's a finish carpenter. Here's a picture - sorry it's sideways!
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alicia, I did it...I'm not even completely back in my kitchen yet so I can't offer much real life experience yet but I did make the decision after reading a lot on GW about others' experiences and even posting the question once. I got a lot of positive responses that it would work. So far I love it although I am still in the phase of reminding myself I don't have to chase down every drop of water!
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How good are you at finishing wood, and can you commit to sanding down the edge and refinishing it every few years? If so, no problem. Wood finishes are pretty bomb-proof these days and offer much better protection against moisture than they did even 10 years ago.
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I carry Engrain wood tops. He puts a coat of epoxy just around the perimeter of the sink. Not sure what they do, think they must dull it down with scotch bright or the like. In any case it is very effective and not noticeable even though the tops are an oil base finish. Have a walnut one in for a few years now.
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mayhemingway
7 years ago
Joseph, I think that's right if the OP plans to use the solid wood butcher block. Wouldn't it be an issue if she wanted to use the veneered particle board version IKEA sells?
writersblock (9b/10a)
6 years ago
Yes, that would be a disaster, softpunk, but Ikea also sells solid wood butcherblock (the hammarp).
mayhemingway
6 years ago
Writers block, I know because I installed the oak hammarp counters in my laundry room. They don't hold up very well especially compared to the custom maple butcher block I put in the kitchen. I think the problem is in the numerous finger joints. I'm sure it could hold the weight of a Fireclay sink though.
writersblock (9b/10a)
6 years ago
Yes, i think ikea had some QC problems even with the old BB before they changed it. These days I think I would be more inclined to go to Floor & Decor for budget BB.

But as Joe pointed out, the counter doesn't hold the sink, the cabinet does, for an undermount.
mayhemingway
6 years ago
My undermount kitchen sink is mounted/bolted to the counter top and not the cabinet itself.
Caitlin
Original Author
6 years ago
We will be mounting the sink the counter like the photo below, so it will not be resting on the cabinet. As far as the butcher block, we will be staining it and then doing several layers of waterlox.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
Give up the clips, use straps or blocking and you can have a 33" sink.
mayhemingway
6 years ago
Linda, YES! The splitting around my laundry room sink was caused by my visiting mother-in-law who did the same thing with a went dish towel on the counter. There are too many finger joints and the wood is just not good quality to begin with, so water is bound to find its way in, one way or another.
everdebz
6 years ago
Pet peeve - I think of wet dishcloth like my swimsuit, that it should hang up to really dry. Why can't a dishcloth even hang over the faucet handle, where it could dry better than in a lump? Why don't my relatives that I live with see it the same? hmm?!

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