How to Undermount a Stainless Steel Sink in Laminate

The Countertop

• 1

  Check that the counter seal board you selected for your project is going to fit on the cabinet. Allow 3 1/2 inches from the front edge of the countertop to the sink opening. Trim excess from the front and back, as necessary, with a circular saw. If necessary, remove cabinet rails to allow the sink to fit.

• 2

  Prepare the rest of the laminate countertop’s substrate, aligning pieces to match the counter seal board. Apply carpenter’s glue between the sections on either side of the counter seal board and allow time for the adhesive to dry.

• 3

  Finish the front edge of the countertop. Either spread contact adhesive and apply matching laminate material, or use a router to cut the edge you desire.

• 4

  Place the laminate material over the top of the countertop to dry fit it. Tip the countertop up so you can trace the outline of the counter seal ring onto the back of the laminate material.

• 5

  Place 3/4-inch masking tape along both sides of the outline you drew in the previous step for the counter seal ring. Spread contact adhesive with a paintbrush onto the bottom of the laminate and the top of the substrate. Allow it to set for a few minutes until it gets tacky.

• 6

  Remove the masking tape. Mix equal parts epoxy hardener and resin together. Apply the epoxy to the top of the counter seal ring.

• 7

  Place the laminate onto the substrate. Use a hand roller to work out any air pockets and to get both the laminate and substrate to seal together. Set 5-pound weights on top of the counter seal area for 30 minutes to help ensure a good bond with the epoxy.

• 8

  Drill a starter hole in the center of the sink’s opening with a drill bit. Insert a flush trim router bit into the hole. Follow the outline of the counter seal to cut the opening for the sink.

• 9

  Sand the edge of the sink opening by hand with fine-grit sandpaper. Sand the front edges as well.

The Sink

• 10

  Apply a bead of sanitary silicone sealer to the top of the sink’s flange in a long, continual bead. This sealer resists mildew.

• 11

  Slide the sink’s flange between the counter seal gasket and the sink clips on the counter seal board under the sink. Hold the sink in place while you tighten the bolts by hand. If you don’t have someone to help you with this step, attach a bungee cord to the front and back of the countertop to help support the sink.

• 12

  Apply more sanitary silicone sealer to any gaps between the sink and the counter seal gasket.

• 13

  Tighten the bolts until the sink is firmly in place, using a screwdriver. Take turns tightening each bolt a little bit at a time.