FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

30″ undermount sink in a 30″ cabinet?

joeclark99 | Posted in General Discussion on March 24, 2003 09:18am

Can this be done?

In this kitchen remodel  I want to put as big (wide) a stainless single bowl sink as I can into a 30″ sink base. I have seen 2 candidates:

elkay 2816 and a Kindred KSS 5u, both of which have a inside bowl width of 28″. The recommended cabinet size for these sinks is 36″, but I don’t see any theoretical reason why they couldn’t fit into a cabinet that has a 28 1/2″ inside dimension.

As long as take care in mounting the sink into the roughtop (granite will be the countertop surface) before fastening the rough top to the cabinet, are there any good reasons why this should not be done?

 

Thanks,

 

Joe

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Clay | Mar 24, 2003 10:04pm | #1

    Is the cabinet stand-alone or part of a group?  Because if it stands alone you are going to have a mighty narrow countertop on the sides of the sink.  A further consideration is the space for the mounting flange and the clips under the sink.  I would guess that the manufacturer's have pushed the practical limits to the wall with their reccommendations (at least that is their usual modus operandi).  Take a careful look before you buy.  Sometimes you can fudge a bit taking some out of the tops of the cabinets on the sides especially if they are drawer units.

    1. joeclark99 | Mar 24, 2003 10:09pm | #2

      the 30" cabinet is part of a run: dishwasher on one side, drawers on the other.

      Are clips really necessary (or even used) on an undermount sink? Isn't it the weight of the granite that keeps the sink in place?

      1. Clay | Mar 24, 2003 10:25pm | #3

        No the sink is attached to the bottom of the granite, and it needs to be sealed with silicone too (or other similar sealer).  Holes must be drilled into the granite, you better find a display and take a look under there.

      2. User avater
        NickNukeEm | Mar 24, 2003 10:34pm | #4

        I trimmed out a kitchen last year with granite countertops and an undermount sink the size of a horse trough.  Although they had drilled the granite for the bolts and clips, what they actually did was to cut away just enough of the top of the sides of the cabinet so the sink was cradled by the cabinet side cutout and held in place by the counter top.  Silicone was used to seal the deal.  The granite guys weren't real happy about the thin edges front and back of the sink; the top can break if it's too thin in those areas.  They like to say 3" per edge, but I think that's an ideal figure in ideal circumstances.

      3. johnhardy | Mar 24, 2003 11:50pm | #6

        I just did a remodel and clips aren't used for an undermount sink. What I did was mark the cutout in the plywood substrate, cut it out with a jigsaw, and use a router to slightly cut out the part of the plywood where the sink sits. This got the sink top absolutely flush with the plywood, and this, in turn, got a better granite fit.

        John

  2. Jamie_Buxton | Mar 24, 2003 11:04pm | #5

    I've done that.   The way I and my granite guy do SS undermount sinks is this.  I cover the tops of all the base cabinets with 3/4" ply.   At the sink, I router down so that the top of the sink's mounting flange is flush with the top of the plywood.   The sink is supported on all sides by the plywood.  The granite guy drops his usual adhesive blobs all over the plywood, and runs a bead of caulk around the top of the sink.  When he sets the granite, the caulk makes a nice wide seal between the stainless and the granite.   The caulk squeezes out as he sets the granite, and he just wipes it up.   It makes a simple and secure installation, both for the carp and the granite guy.

    1. johnhardy | Mar 24, 2003 11:54pm | #7

      Jamie,

      I used 3/4 ply in my remodel and it was a mistake.

      It should have been 5/8ths. The reason? The granite is 3/4, and the bullnose (or any other edge) is doubled, so is 1.5 inches. With the mastic (or whatever it is that the granite guys use), the granite actually sits slightly above the plywood. If the plywood used is 3/4, the finished granite will be slightly above the plywood, and you'll both be able to notice it and to feel it if you put your hand on a bullnose (like gripping a handrail).

      John

      1. joeclark99 | Mar 25, 2003 12:37am | #8

        Secondly, if you rout out the plywood for sink lip thickness, then the stone will not sit tight against the sink. I suggest just dropping the stainless sink into the rough cutout, and then the mastic thickness will match the sink edge thickness.

        1. johnhardy | Mar 25, 2003 12:48am | #9

          I routed the plywood for the rim, making sure that the SS was absolutely flush with the plywood. There is absolutely no play in the sink. Tight as a drum.

          If the sink is set on top of the plywood, the layer of mastic will actually be very thick and it'll be hard to keep the granite absolutely level ... 10 feet away. Even so, with the mastic, my 3/4 inch plywood shows belowthe granite. The substrate should be no more than 5/8ths of an inch IMO.

          John

    2. gstringe | Mar 25, 2003 12:53am | #10

      The plywood method sounds slick but what do you do if the sink needs to be replaced?  Maybe cleat the plywood in place so it can be removed from underneath?  Obviously this won't happen very often but once would be enough for me.

      1. HeavyDuty | Mar 25, 2003 04:12am | #11

        Yes, that's the way I mounted my cast iron sink. With the ply substrate and granite top there is no way you can remove the sink if you want to change it. But then how likely are you going to have to change the sink? Just be safe I mounted it as you have outlined. I didn't use a ply substrate because the granite is 1 1/4, so I set the sink in ledgers bolted to the sides of the base, making sure the top of the sink is flush with the top of the base.

        John, you brought up a good point. The silicone they use to set the top does have a thickness to it. If I were to set a sink on a ply substrate, I'll use 5/8 for sure.

        Tom

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper

Look closely at these common locations for hazardous materials in older homes.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data