Granite Countertops And Sinks What You Need To Know

By Jeff S Lyons

Choosing the right sink for your kitchen is obviously important. The sink will not only affect the overall look of your kitchen, but it will also impact how comfortable you are in your kitchen each day. When choosing a sink, there are several things to consider. The bowl size and configuration, depth, material and the faucet are a few factors.

The bowl size is important in that you must make sure the sink will fit into your cabinet with room for faucet holes behind it. Configuration refers to the option of having one bowl, two bowls the same size, two bowls of a different size or many other options. The depth of a sink can vary greatly and should be considered when purchasing a sink. Remember, when using an undermount sink, the sink will be attached beneath the countertop and another inch will be added to the depth. The material is more a personal preference but there are several options, including; stainless steel, porcelain and silgranit. Finally, the faucet should be considered for reasons described above.

Drop In Sinks

A drop-in sink is one that sits directly on top of the counter. The faucet comes in one piece connected by an escutcheon plate. There are a number of ways your sink can be attached to the countertop depending upon your particular sink. The attachment is handled by your plumber.

When using a drop-in sink, the sink must be on site at the time of install. The sink hole is generally cut on site.

Undermount Sinks

An undermount sink is one that attaches to the countertop from underneath. The sink is generally secured to the stone with silicone and a wooden cradle that is attached to the frame of the cabinet.

When using an undermount sink, you will need to provide your fabricator a physical sink or the approved template before they begin fabricating your piece. The sink opening is cut and polished prior to the installation. Faucet holes can be drilled prior to installation or drilled on site.

Farm Sinks

A farm sink, or an apron front sink, sits on a support structure below the cabinets. The face of the sink is exposed and the top of the sink is generally level with the top of the cabinets.

When using a farm sink, the sink must be set in place before your fabricator measures for the countertops. Your cabinet installer or general contractor should be able to do this for you. After the measurements are made, the sink should not be moved. You fabricator will take measurements not only of the stone that sits beside the sink but also its placement within the cabinet front to back. Faucet holes can be drilled prior to installation or on site during installation.

Regardless of the type of sink you choose, you will also want to discuss the issue of rods with your fabricator. The sink cut out will leave a narrow rail of granite that can be susceptible to breaking during or after installation. Your fabricator may insert steel rods into the underside of the granite to add extra strength to this area. There is no one size fits all answer with rods, so ask your fabricator about their plans to prevent weakness in this area of your countertops.

About the Author: The author writes about granite counter tops, marble and other natural stone used in residental and commercial construction. He is the owner of

heritage-stone.com

Heritage Stone a Charlotte, NC based stone fabricator.

Source:

isnare.com

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