Is There a Top-Mount Sink That Can Look Like an Undermount Sink?

Types

• Top-mount sinks are installed on the top side of kitchen and bathroom counter tops. This type of sink also is known as a drop-in sink. Each sink of this kind has a lip around its edge, and the lip can catch crumbs, other food particles and additional items. Undermount sinks are installed underneath counter tops and have no lip.

Advantages

• A top-mount sink installs easily into a pre-cut hole in a counter top. Another advantage of a top-mount sink is its price. It is less expensive than an undermount sink, which is often custom made. Undermount sinks, however, have many advantages as well. Often they are installed because they give counter tops a sleek look and showcase the natural beauty of counter top material. Because they lack a lip, undermount sinks are easier to clean than top-mount sinks; it is simple to push crumbs and other items directly into undermount sinks.

Disadvantages

• Top-mount sinks are functional but typically less attractive than undermount sinks. Homeowners who have granite or marble counter tops often prefer the clean lines of undermount sinks. Undermount sinks, however, have a few disadvantages as well. They are more difficult to install than top-mount sinks, resulting in installation labor costs that are higher than the installation labor costs for top-mount sinks. An undermount sink also requires a bit of maintenance because it must be re-caulked from time to time between the sink and the underside of the counter top.

Considerations

• Although no top-mount sinks look like undermount sinks, each of the products has advantages. When searching for the perfect sink, homeowners may consider its price, ease of installation and the amount of maintenance the sink will require in the future.