Is it hard to install an undermount sink?
It’s time for me to install the kitchen sink. One day I hope to have granite countertops, but for now it’s just plain ol’ laminate. The countertop for the sink is just sitting loosly in place for the moment. I don’t want to go overboard with this since the counters and sink are considered temporary. For that reason, I’d prefer to keep the sink investment to a minimum. Nothing too fancy.
I’m working with a 30W” sink cabinet. The opening is 28.5W x 19D. I can trim down the front and rear rails a little if necessary, but notching the sidewalls is not much of an option since I have an open space on one side of the cabinet where the dishwasher will sit. I probably should have gone with a 36″ base, but it is what it is.
I’ve been a DIY’er all my life. I like to learn things and I enjoy the feeling that comes with completing a project on my own. I’ve never done an undermount sink before, so I’m wondering if this might be an opportunity to add that to my list. I’ve never even seen it done. With that in mind, here’s a few basic questions for you guys:
Is an undermount harder to do with laminate countertops?
Will it require different tools than doing a rim mount installation?
What do you do about the exposed edges of the cutout?
Are there any plumbing issues that undermounts create?
Thanks for any assistance,
Michael
Replies
Laminate countertops with undermount sinks is not a good idea. Even if you make the cut out exactly right there is no good way to finish the edges. You could laminate the edge but you have a seam in the laminate in a very wet area. Use a self rimming sink. You can get sinks that are either self rimming or undermount if you want to use it later as undermount with different counters.
Agreed -- an underount sink in a laminate countertop is a dumb idea.
(And working inside a 30" cabinet is going to be a female dog.)
Is an undermount harder to do with laminate countertops?
You have 2 or 3 extra steps to put undercounter in laminate top. Not a good idea if the laminate already attached, only good for when you are the one applying the laminate on-site.
What I did was first do the correct size cutout for the sink, being carefull to leave the CUTOUT portion in one clean piece.
Sand the edges of the piece you cutout and put a piece of TFE or smooth electrical tape around the outside.
Now cutout 1-1/2" larger hole in the countertop - you do this BEFORE the laminate is applied.
Center the cutout piece in the larger hole over a flat surface covered with some 4 il poly sheet.
Pour epoxy or polyester resin with coloring to match the undercounter sink in the gap and let cure.
Install the laminate and route the edge even with the epoxy.
Install the undercounter sink.
Uh....guess it's back to the ol' rim mount for me.