Undermount Lavatory Specs

Attachment

• A key specification found on all undermount sinks relates to its method of attaching to your bathroom counter. Two types of sinks sit in recesses in your counter: undermount sinks and drop-in sinks. Drop-in sinks contain pronounced rims that sit on top of a counter, while the rest of the sink sits below the counter. Undermount sinks attach to the underside of your lavatory bathroom and hang completely below the counter, hence the name “under mount.” The specific type of brackets and fasteners used to install undermount sinks differ from unit to unit, but they all install in the same basic way.

Materials

• Material specifications describe the materials a manufacturer uses to construct an undermount sink. These specs help determine whether a specific lavatory fits with the aesthetic design of your bathroom and whether a lavatory is compatible with the material of your counter. Bathroom products manufacturer Kohler, for instance, uses cast bronze, glass, enameled cast iron, stainless steel, and a material made from China and clay mixed together in its undermount lavatories. Check compatibility specifications on your counter before installing an undermount lavatory. Some counter materials might suffer damage if placed in contact with a stronger or more abrasive material, while others might work fine with any type of lavatory.

Dimensions

• Dimensions describe the basic size of an undermount lavatory. Because undermount sinks commonly assume circular shapes, dimension specifications provide measurements at specific points, rather than overall measurements such as circumference. These dimensions usually provide the width of the lavatory at its widest point, the distance from the front to the back of a lavatory and its deepest point and the depth of the bowl at the lowest point. Dimensions specs might also provide information on the size of a rim designed to attach to the underside of your counter. These specs help you understand how much space you need for an undermount lavatory.

Additional Specifications

• Several other important specifications exist for undermout lavatories. For instance, the weight of a sink helps determine whether you can attach it to a counter based on the strength of that counter. A heavy sink could place too much strain on certain materials. Clearance and installation specifications help you understand exactly how much space you need to install your undermount lavatory. These specifications describe things like angle of the sink bowl and the amount of space you must leave between the lavatory and other things below your counter for proper operation. Installation specs also describe the space and connections a lavatory needs to properly hook up to your bathroom plumbing. You can find all specifics for a specific lavatory in the owners manual.