The Kitchen Debate – Undermount or Overmount Sink?
I’ll paint the picture. You have selected your benchtop, splashback tiles, cabinetry colours and finishes and you think you have finalised your kitchen (and laundry) selections. Only for our Selections Consultant to take you to the bank of drawers filled with sinks and you realise there are more sink options than you ever thought possible. Undermount, overmount, stainless, granite, fireclay. The list goes on.
While all the different sink options primarily function in the same manner, there are some smaller details to consider. These will be the difference between the perfect place to wash dishes or ordering take away for the third time this week so you don’t have to wash a single plate.
Let me take you through the differences to help you make the right choice.
1. Kitchen sink basics
Overmount sink basics
Undermount sink basics
2. The best sink option
Sink cost
Kitchen cleanliness and hygiene
Long term kitchen durability
Kitchen bench space
Sink style options
Material options for your sink
3. The final sink verdict
1. Kitchen sink basics
Let’s start with the basics. The simple differences between your sink options.
Overmount sink basics
Overmount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, Murray Bridge, South Australia
An overmount sink is placed into a cutout made into your benchtop. The lip sits over the cutout and rests on your benchtop. The edges are caulked, usually with silicone, to give it a waterproof seal. Your benchtop takes the weight of the sink and everything you put in there. Tapware can be fixed to the sink itself, the benchtop or the wall, depending on your benchtop choice and kitchen design.
Undermount sink basics
Undermount Stainless Steel Butlers Pantry Sink, Murray Bridge, South Australia
An undermount (sometimes called ‘inset’) sink is the opposite. These are installed underneath your benchtop without a lip on display, essentially hanging from your benchtop a little lower. Your benchtop needs to be cut and finished with appropriate edges as these are on display. The sink is attached to the bottom of your bench with the joins also caulked. This means your benchtop needs to be weight-bearing, so laminate isn’t suitable. Tapware can be fixed to the benchtop or wall.
2. The best sink option
There are many factors to consider when selecting an overmount or undermount sink. Here are some helpful considerations to get you to that choice:
Sink cost
Overmount Granite Kitchen Sink, Mount Barker, South Australia
Undermount sinks need to be paired with stone or concrete benchtops that are professionally cut and finished, as the cut is on display. Softer benchtops aren’t suitable due to the weight of the sink requiring support, along with the additional moisture over the years. Consequently this adds an additional cost to your build, for the upgraded benchtop and the installation.
The physical sink of undermounts, and upgraded choices for overmounts, also incur an additional cost, depending on your selection.
Overmount sinks require a simple installation process with the cut not being visible or part of your daily use. All benchtops are back on the table for this option – laminate, stone, concrete and timber. Therefore the overall price can be reduced.
Cost winner: overmount, only slightly.
Kitchen cleanliness and hygiene
Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, Murray Bridge, South Australia
The highlight of an undermount sink for me is being able to wipe crumbs and liquid from the benchtop straight into the bowl without being hindered by a lip. Closely followed by not having edges to clean around that become filled with said crumbs. However, the undermount still has caulking, it is just on the underside of the bench. This can still become a crumb magnet that needs to be cleaned regularly.
The overmount has the crumb catcher on top requiring regular cleaning to ensure these don’t become a full time problem.
Caulking needs to be maintained every three to five years.
Cleanliness winner: undermount, only slightly.
Long term kitchen durability
Overmount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, Mannum Waters, South Australia
Although you wouldn’t mean to, stone can easily chip in weaker places with items like large pots making contact directly with your benchtop around an overmount sink.
The lip on an overmount protects your benchtops from this concern. If, for some reason, your sink needs replacing down the track, overmount sinks are by far easier to replace. This creates peace of mind for future maintenance or renovations.
Durability winner: overmount.
Kitchen bench space
Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, Mount Barker, South Australia
If space is a consideration, undermounts can maximise your bench space as the draining board can be incorporated into the stone, or not incorporated at all. Instead, an insert can be placed over the second bowl or a rack with its own drip tray can be used straight on the benchtop when washing dishes.
Overmount sinks typically have a draining board attached to one or both sides. This takes away additional bench space, compared to the undermount. With new design options, some overmount sinks don’t include a draining board either. Therefore, inserts and portable racks are also applicable for these sinks.
Space winner: undermount, although, depends on your dish drying preference and available space.
Sink style options
Overmount Granite Kitchen Sink, Harrogate, South Australia
Undermounts have a sleeker look, perfect for contemporary styles. The continuous flow from countertop to sink creates a minimalist look.
For both options, there are plenty of different design choices to suit your style – single or double; round, square or rectangle; deep or standard; farmhouse; big or small; chrome, black or something else.
Style winner: whichever suits your style
Material options for your sink
Overmount Granite Kitchen Sink, Wellington East, South Australia
There are lots of choices for both undermount and overmount sink materials. Stainless steel is the most common but other options include fireclay (ceramic), granite or a coloured stainless steel.
Overmounts can be fixed to any benchtop, unlike undermounts which require a stone benchtop.
Material winner: overmount – more flexible to fit your style.
Farmhouse Fireclay Kitchen Sink, Karoonda, South Australia
3. The final sink verdict
Ultimately, the best sink for your kitchen is the one that you choose. It has to work for you and your family, your style and budget.
Looking for other selection assistance? Check out Tips to designing a functional and stylish laundry to help you love doing the washing.
By Amy Rosendale
