Kitchen Sink Installation Dilemma

[philshantz]

I’m a one person cabinet shop, in the middle of a cabinet installation, and I recently fastened down the countertop underlayment in preparation for a granite countertop to be installed. I know my client wants an undermount sink and he recently called to say he had purchased one and it was ready to install (our local granite company recommends that they only come out to measure for the stone with exact cutouts and undermount sinks in place).

I arrived at the house yesterday, took one look at the American Standard (quote) “self rimming” sink sitting on the countertop and said “that’s not an undermount”. The owner replied: “the display at Home Depot said it could be undermounted”. Thinking he was possibly mistaken and it had said something along the lines of “undermount model available”, I swung by the store and sure enough; affixed on what to me looks like a typical drop-in type self rimming sink is a sticker stating “this sink can be undermounted with an optional kit”.

Well, this one is new to me, in my experience sinks are either undermount models or not, I’ve never come across such a hybrid before. I thought undermounts typically have a large, flat, often thinner flange with an unfinished edge -- AND come with brackets and installation instructions included. I informed the owner that I wouldn’t feel comfortable cobbling this sink into his very expensive kitchen and preferred that he return it and purchase a sink manufactured SPECIFICALLY for that application. Needless to say he's not too delighted with the delay, though he seems to understand my concerns.

SO, am I totally behind the curve here? Is this the wave of the future or (as I see it) a not too well thought out marketing ploy? ("...let’s not bother to tool up for a different sink, just throw in a couple of brackets and call it an undermount...")

[chamber]

I didn't have to read past the words "Home Depot" to know a.) it's most likely just a marketing ploy, and b.) almost certainly will not work.
Recommend to your customer that he make his purchase from a real supply house.

[stamcon]

Some of American Standard sinks are approved by American Standard for top and below counter mounting. At least 2 of their Americast series sinks can be mounted either way. Check their website for info.

steve

[philshantz]

Some of American Standard sinks are approved by American Standard for top and below counter mounting. At least 2 of their Americast series sinks can be mounted either way. Check their website for info.

steve

Yes, Steve...thanks for the info. I understand that the American Standard company states that they can be undermounted ("...Approved" by American Standard..? What exactly does THAT mean?) but to me that still doesen't look totally Kosher.

When you consider it, a competent cabinetmaker or carpenter could undermount ANY sink using basic skills, a router or saw, and some brackets -- and probably get away with it...but SHOULD he?
Philip

[GACC Dallas]

Phil,

We do it all the time. We just route the flange flush with the sub-counter like you suggested. If the flange is greater than 3/4" we use brackets like you also suggested.

I've never seen a failure once. I can't tell you how many times we adapt one thing to do another thing that it's not made to do. It comes up all the time in my jobs.

Ed.

[stamcon]

Phillip, if the faucet is going to be countertop mounted, then the type of sink can matter. Where the faucet mounts on some sinks, is in a depressed area compared to the outer flange. If the countertop were to cover over this depressed area, there would be a sizable gap between the sink and the bottom of the countertop that would have to be filled(siliconed).

steve