laminate kitchen counter-top with under-mount sink
#1
Member
Thread Starter
laminate kitchen counter-top with under-mount sink
For my kitchen make over dream.....(actually just new counter tops).
I really like laminate counter tops. Look great and waaay less expensive than other kitchen counter top materials. However I really want an under mount sink.
Unfortunately what I am hearing is home owners (from all across the country) who say they love their laminate kitchen counter top and have under mount sinks. Yet I got "official" reply's from Formica, WilsonArt and the local "box" stores that they don't recommend under mount sinks with laminate. Or that there is a special sink by Karran they recommend. The nearest Karran dealer to me said he had Karran but wouldn't recommend it!
Then someone mentioned drop in flush mount sinks.....by Blanco....starts at $2,500. or something crazy like that! But I haven't gotten much information about other drop in flush mount sinks, hopefully less expensive.
So are under mount sinks and laminate another of my impossible dreams?
Are drop in flush mount sinks a good option, assuming they work with laminate?
I really like laminate counter tops. Look great and waaay less expensive than other kitchen counter top materials. However I really want an under mount sink.
Unfortunately what I am hearing is home owners (from all across the country) who say they love their laminate kitchen counter top and have under mount sinks. Yet I got "official" reply's from Formica, WilsonArt and the local "box" stores that they don't recommend under mount sinks with laminate. Or that there is a special sink by Karran they recommend. The nearest Karran dealer to me said he had Karran but wouldn't recommend it!
Then someone mentioned drop in flush mount sinks.....by Blanco....starts at $2,500. or something crazy like that! But I haven't gotten much information about other drop in flush mount sinks, hopefully less expensive.
So are under mount sinks and laminate another of my impossible dreams?
Are drop in flush mount sinks a good option, assuming they work with laminate?
#2
I don't understand why an undermount sink can't be put on a laminated counter top. The laminate is on top and the sink will be mounted in the under surface that should be a plywood or hardwood of some sort. The counter should be at least 3/4 thick.
That being said, an under mount sink will usually require a professional install and if ever a problem arises professional will need to unmount and then remount. And if the under mount is not done correctly it can unbond and fall. Never heard of a flush mount drop in sink. Not saying it doesn't exist, just never saw one.
Personally I prefer a top mount. Easy to install and easy to change out or do plumbing if necessary. Yes, there is a lip that is over the counter but so what?
BTW...anybody who pays over $500 for a kitchen sink is nuts. After all it's a sink! But that's just me. A decent sink should run between $200 and $400.
That being said, an under mount sink will usually require a professional install and if ever a problem arises professional will need to unmount and then remount. And if the under mount is not done correctly it can unbond and fall. Never heard of a flush mount drop in sink. Not saying it doesn't exist, just never saw one.
Personally I prefer a top mount. Easy to install and easy to change out or do plumbing if necessary. Yes, there is a lip that is over the counter but so what?
BTW...anybody who pays over $500 for a kitchen sink is nuts. After all it's a sink! But that's just me. A decent sink should run between $200 and $400.
#3
Most laminate countertops are on top of particle board. Particle board does not play well with moisture, it will swell and delaminate. Your only choice on a laminate countertop is a top mount. Bottom mounts are to be used with solid services (corian), quartz, or stone.
#4
OK, I Googled Flush Mount Drop In sink. They all l look like they are resting on top of the counter. I call that a top mount. A few looked like maybe the surface was routed out to make it smooth with the countertop, but the pictures were not clear.
#6
Laminate countertops are low end of the spectrum. Yes, they are still produced on particle board. Its fine if the top mount sink is properly caulked. Short lived of water gets to the wood.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Well...you all confirm what I have been told...in spite of home owners on Houzz saying they love their laminate counter tops and have under mount sinks.
I completely agree with the sentiment about what to pay for a sink. That was why I thought laminate was so appealing.
You have helped me make a decision. As of now I'm leaning towards laminate and a drop in.
I completely agree with the sentiment about what to pay for a sink. That was why I thought laminate was so appealing.
You have helped me make a decision. As of now I'm leaning towards laminate and a drop in.
#8
Besides the impracticality of an under-mount sink and laminate counter top, they don't help resale value. Might even hurt it. Save up for a solid surface or put a drop-in sink in the laminate.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
You guys, or gals, have been great. I will go with under mount. I have exhausted myself researching laminate counter tops and sinks for several weeks!
I have glanced at, saved, other kitchen counter top options. Will you do my homework for me, . What is a good, not luxurious, kitchen counter top .material? I can afford a luxurious material. But we intentionally bought a smallish simple house in an older plain, simple, neighborhood.
I don't need or want luxurious.
I have glanced at, saved, other kitchen counter top options. Will you do my homework for me, . What is a good, not luxurious, kitchen counter top .material? I can afford a luxurious material. But we intentionally bought a smallish simple house in an older plain, simple, neighborhood.
I don't need or want luxurious.
#10
We used LG HiMacs solid surface in the master bath and kitchen over 10 years ago. Quartz in a very small bathroom, but it expensive.
Avoid granite. It chips on edges, unforgiving to glass that falls over, and it needs to be sealed periodically. It is heavy and may require support structure which sellers will not tell you. . And lastly, it is falling behind other solid surfaces.
Avoid granite. It chips on edges, unforgiving to glass that falls over, and it needs to be sealed periodically. It is heavy and may require support structure which sellers will not tell you. . And lastly, it is falling behind other solid surfaces.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks.I will Google that. Picking out materials for a renovation is exhausting! And I have a very bad sense of style and color!
#12
Avoid granite. It chips on edges, unforgiving to glass that falls over, and it needs to be sealed periodically. It is heavy and may require support structure which sellers will not tell you. . And lastly, it is falling behind other solid surfaces.
Of course you can't do that with any type of counter top. We also had our master bath vanity topped with a granite slap. Bet decision ever. And best of all when we went shopping for counter tops, granite was the least expensive of all stone type counter tops including "manufactured" tops. No special support was needed, including our large movable island. Is it falling behind other material? Maybe, but it's like white or black appliance colors. The never really goes out of style. Maybe just not the current fad. If properly selected to go with cabinets and decorator style, granite or marble is very rich looking. Oh, and it wares like, well stone!