One of the most crucial design elements in your kitchen is the way you mount your kitchen sink.
The type of mount you choose will depend on what you want to do with that sink, and how you want it to look. And if you choose correctly, it will have a great impact on your daily routine, such as when you do food preparation, or washing up.
Different mounting styles have different benefits. For example, some kitchen installations make it easier to clean the counter, while others give you maximum sink space and depth.
Here are the most common ways to install your kitchen sink, as shared by our professional contractors, plumbers and handymen on Recommend.my:
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Table of Contents
Top-Mount Sink
An excellent option for those with limited counter space, the top mount sink is both easy to install and reasonably affordable. This type of sink also affords a generous amount of under sink storage.
It is also known as a drop sink, this is because, when you lower the sink into the countertop hole, the rim of the sink will rest on the edge of the countertop.
After that, the rim of the sink will need to be sealed and caulked. This ensures water does not seep through and cause problems with the cabinet below.
The downside to such a sink is that it will be difficult to sweep anything straight into the sink, because of the raised lip.
Undermount Sink
These sinks are mounted underneath the countertop, providing a seamless look from countertop to sink.
This type of sink is typically used with solid surface countertops, or with engineered quartz, or even granite. The edge of the countertop along the sink cutout is polished for a finished look.
For this type of sink, your installer will usually secure it using mounting screws that anchor into the underside of the countertop. This is so that it will hold the weight of water and dishes.
One advantage of this type of sink is that it makes cleaning your countertops easier because you can wipe water and debris directly into the sink. Satisfying!
Your installer will still need to do some waterproofing around the underside, where the sink meets the counter. And because you can’t really see the seals day to day, it can collect dirt and grime after a while.
Integrated Sink
These sinks are made from the same material as the countertop, creating a seamless, integrated look. They are typically custom-made from solid surface, and can be quite expensive. However, they offer a sleek, modern look and are easy to clean.
The appearance of this sink type looks very similar to a sink that is undermounted. It looks great and sleek, but it may be difficult to repair or replace since the entire countertop will be affected.
Apron Sink
Also known as a farmhouse sink, these sinks look like a big drawer that has been inserted into your kitchen cabinet. It has a large, forward-facing section that replaces a portion of the countertop and the cabinet front. They are jutting out of your cabinetry, and are often deeper than other sink types and have a distinctive, traditional look.
The white and more familiar design of an apron sink is often made of fireclay or porcelain. But there are also materials that this skin type is made from, such as stainless steel. Fireclay and stainless steel are both easy to clean, and durable.
An apron sink is large, making it easy and comfortable to use on an everyday basis. It’s easier to soak and wash large pots, pans and woks in this sink type. It is a more luxurious design with a price tag to match.
Corner Sink
When you think of a corner sink, you probably imaging the small handwashing sinks commonly found in the washroom of your local mamak. But, a corner sink can also work well in a kitchen. For an L-shaped kitchen that wants to maximise countertop space, having a corner sink may be a good idea.
Island Sink
This is the type of sink you need if you are an aspiring vlogger or cooking influencer. These are sinks that are typically installed in a kitchen island or bar top. They are useful for prep work or for entertaining, and a place to put used coffee cups and wine glasses during a party.
Double Basin Sink
They say two is better than one, and in the case of a double basin sink that might just be it. This type of sink offers two double bowl sinks for separating tasks and needs. One sink can even be used to place a drying rack above, so that water drips down into the sink and down the drain instead of on the countertop. It is a multifunctional sink but requires more counter space.
There are options for same sized basins or one larger and one smaller. It all depends on the needs of the user. This sink type can come in the form of a top-mount or undermount, offering additional pros and cons of the two sink types respectively.
Drainboard Sink
Most Malaysian households prefer a sink with a drainboard, and for good reason. This sink type features a basin with a ridged drainboard right next to it. It is part of the top-mounted sink family as the ridged drainboard is secure onto the countertop, and the rims of the basin sink rests flat on the countertop.
The ridged drainboard has several uses, from an easily accessible prep station to the sink to an area to place a drying rack on for water to flow into the sink. It will truly depend on the needs of the user.
Installing a drainboard sink is both easy and inexpensive, and it also helps save space on the countertop and in the cabinets below the sink. However, there is a chance of water overflowing onto the counter which could cause damage.
What about a Vessel Sink?
Vessel sinks are typically used in bathrooms, not kitchens. A vessel sink is a type of sink that sits on top of the countertop, as opposed to being undermounted or integrated into the countertop. They are called “vessel” sinks because they look like a bowl or vessel that has been placed on the countertop.
While it’s technically possible to use a vessel sink in a kitchen, it’s not common for practical reasons. Your kitchen countertop is normally 90cm from the floor, and adding a vessel sink on top of it means that it will be quite shallow, and not ideal for kitchen tasks like washing pots and pans.
Furthermore, as vessel sinks are not as deep as traditional kitchen sinks, water can splash out easily, and get trapped where the sink meets the countertop, causing that area to get grimy and mouldy.
Professional Sink Installation
Have you narrowed down the perfect sink for your kitchen? Make sure to consider your routine, and how you like to use the sink before deciding on which one to have installed. Once you’ve decided all you need is the right professional to help you securely install it.
Get in touch with a professional renovation contractor on Recommend.my
