So, you bought a new (or new-to-you) home, and while you love the features overall, you find something in the kitchen is lacking. Ah yes… the sink*. You know, that builder’s-grade, stainless steel~, 50/50 divided bowl that you can barely bathe a cat in, or that 60/40 cast-iron whose finish has seen better days. Well, you quickly decide that this isn’t going to cut it. And while you know that you need an upgrade, where do you even start?
As with most home updates, you may want to start familiarizing yourself with the sink options out there to at least gain a mental ballpark of how much money you’d like to dedicate to this update. Before you get caught up in the “ooohs and aaahs” of the shiny new options available, though, you should consider the limitations of your kitchen sink cabinet. Some sink styles are incredibly popular for their size, depth, or features, but if your cabinet specs won’t accommodate the space needed to install a particular sink, then it’s literally not a good fit. The type of sink that will fit in your cabinet can vary based on a few factors, such as the type of sink you’re coming from and its size. As you might imagine, coming from a smaller sink to a larger one is easier because cabinets can be trimmed (if there's something to trim, for example).
CONSIDER THIS – The Sink You’re Coming FROM:
Undermount – When coming from an undermount sink, it can be a challenge to change sink types because an undermount requires a larger sink hole cutout, leaving little to no room for size modification. Removing an undermount sink requires extra labor because it is installed to the underside of the countertop, within the limited cabinet space below. Additionally, damage to the countertop and/or cabinet can occur upon removal, depending on the type of adhesive used and the force required to dislodge it.
Drop-in/Overmount – Since these sinks are installed on top of the counter, space maneuverability is less of a concern. It may also be easier to dislodge them, as less adhesive is needed to secure them due to their design. It may be easier to transition to other styles of sinks because of the sink cutout method used for these. However, if water or debris has collected around the sink’s ledge, staining the countertop around and underneath the cutout, it could be unappealing cosmetically unless efforts are made to remove the stain, even to the point of cutting out the stained edging if necessary.
Farmhouse/Apron – This type typically requires a larger cabinet sink cutout, potentially including cutting into the front of the cabinet and modifying the doors. This amount of cabinet modification dramatically limits the types of sinks your cabinet can accommodate in the future due to the potentially irreversible cabinet changes made.
CONSIDER THIS – The Sink You’re Going TO:
Drop-in/Undermount – When installing this type of sink, remember that because it installs underneath the countertop, there must be enough counter to adhere to. If the sink hole cutout from the previous sink was large, there may no longer be enough countertop left to secure it without replacing the countertop. With the existing countertop in place, the labor for this could be more expensive because of the efforts involved in installing the sink from within the limited cabinet space underneath. Additional onsite custom fabrication may be needed to ensure the exposed sink cutout edge in the countertop is the correct size, and is polished, and sealed properly to minimize exposure to water and sink debris. Since the sink cutout countertop edge is exposed with this design, it remains vulnerable to damage, such as chipping from fumbled dishes or heavy pots.
Overmount – Installation for this type of sink may require less labor because it installs over the top of your countertop edge. As such, the countertop edge won’t need detailed finishing, such as polishing, since it’s no longer exposed. Also, since the sink covers the countertop sink cutout, there’s no longer a risk of damaging the counter itself if a heavy item slips out of your hands on the way into the sink.
Farmhouse/Apron – Because of their typically larger design and exposed front edge, installation may be more costly due to cabinet modification if the size of your cabinet allows for such changes.
Our Good Old “Friend” – Plumbing
While it feels like it can be avoided, this potential expense can’t be overlooked. Inevitably, since your plumbing connects to your sink, it must be disconnected. And because almost any sink you’re likely to change to will have different dimensions than the one you’re replacing, you will almost certainly need your pipes, drains, etc., to be re-plotted before they can be connected to the new sink. So, don’t forget to factor this into your budgeting (unless, you know… you know a guy wink wink).
Down The Rabbit Hole
Now that you have budget and sink features in mind, take a deep dive into the home improvement boards and blogs corner of the internet to see what appeals to you. Once that’s in focus, have a look at home improvement sites/stores, which may include your brick-and-mortar retailers as well as online options, to gauge pricing. However, this isn’t the end-all-be-all for pricing ranges. Bear in mind that if you work with a contractor for your sink replacement, they may have wholesale suppliers they can use to source the sink for potentially less than retail. You might also consider local resellers or outlets that sell discounted items for various reasons, like receiving the wrong item that can’t be returned, but is otherwise new, or ‘scratch-and-dent’ sellers with items that have minor cosmetic issues but are otherwise in good shape.
All Things Considered
Now that you’ve been inundated with all that info, maybe a sink upgrade is—or isn’t—for you. Only you can make that call, but at least now you have somewhere to start, and hopefully end, with an updated sink you now love. And when in doubt, give us a call. We’d be glad to help you hash out those kitchen goals from floor to ceiling!
*SOME BASICS ON COMMON KITCHEN SINK TYPES/TERMS:
Drop-In/Over Mount Sink – Installs over the top of your counter. It has a lip around the sink’s circumference that supports its weight within the sinkhole that’s cut into your countertop.
Undermount Sink – Installs secured to the underside of your countertop, leaving the edge of your sink cutout visible within your countertop material.
Dual-Mount – A sink that can be installed either as a drop-in/overmount or an undermount.
Workstation/Ledge or Chef Sink – Its design allows built-in access to various sink accessories to enhance your kitchen prep/work experience.
Farmhouse/Apron – This style is characterized by a deep basin and an exposed front-facing sink design (like how an apron drapes over the front of a person when worn) versus the typical cabinet and countertop edge front perspective.
Single Bowl – A sink that has no division or segmentation within the bowl.
50/50, 60/40, Double Bowl, etc. – Refers to the division within the bowl. When the numbers are used, they indicate the percentage of space division per side.
~Sink Material Types – Stainless steel, enamel-covered cast iron, stone composite (such as granite), fire clay, porcelain. The various materials and finishes out there have their pros and cons and are worth exploring in your research, depending on your preferences for both cosmetic appearance and function. But that’s a blog for another day!
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