Overmount vs Undermount vs Flushmount: A Sink Mounting Comparison
Overmount vs Undermount vs Flushmount: A Sink Mounting Comparison
You’ve made all the big design decisions and have chosen your cabinetry and hardware along with the benchtop material of your dreams. There’s still one nagging question that needs to be answered before moving forward. What is the best sink mounting option for your kitchen? There are many to choose from, but the big three are overmount, undermount and flushmount.
Don’t worry if that all sounds super technical. We will unpack the differences here without unnecessary industry jargon. The good news is that all three options are quite stylish with their own unique benefits. As such, it’s hard to go wrong with any of them. The main differences are generally found in cost, appearance, and ease of maintenance. Let’s dive in to learn which mounting style would work best in your house.
1) Undermount
About 95 per cent of the sinks we install are with the undermount design. Just because that’s what we sell most often doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you. The main advantages to undermount are you can wipe your benchtop straight into the bowl without going over a sink lip. It sounds like such an insignificant thing, but in practice, they’re much easier to keep clean. In addition, they look far sleeker with a minimalist appeal.
As for the cost, undermount is usually more expensive as the fabrication requires a certain mould cut out of the stone so the sink can fit underneath. This process does make installation a bit more involved thereby increasing the price of labour. To prevent potential issues with water getting into the seams, it’s essential to have an experienced person complete the installation. If not set up properly, you can experience mould in-between the sink and the benchtop.
The key design element to understand here is where the sink will connect with the benchtop. With undermount, the bowl is fixed to the bottom of the bench. This makes undermount a fantastic choice for those looking to maximise bench space. By installing it this way, the top of the sink rests against the bottom of the benchtop. The edges are therefore invisible, making for a streamlined appearance.
Pictured above: Undermount sink set with stone benchtop
2) Flushmount
Often confused with undermount, the main difference is that flushmounts don’t have a seam between them and the bench. A helpful way to think of them is as an “integrated sink”. With nowhere for water and debris to get trapped, you will enjoy a very clean environment that’s easy to maintain. This is not only hygienic but can save you time on clean-up. With no lip to cover a portion of the bench, it also increases the amount of available workspace. The overall appearance is quite stylish, giving a kitchen more of a high-end appeal. If creating a modern design is your goal, flushmount is a winning option.
Of all three mounting possibilities, this will be the more costly approach. Flushmount sinks need to be carefully installed by a professional. It’s quite a detailed process making it more challenging for homeowners to do themselves. In addition to the labour, the sink materials are generally not available off the shelf and require a more custom process. While the finished product may look as if the bench and sink were made together, they are manufactured separately and then later welded together seamlessly. You can use flushmount with some stainless-steel models as well as ecogranit and ceramic materials.
3) Overmount
Part of the confusion with the overmount style stems from the various terms people use to describe them. They are commonly referred to as a topmount, or drop-in sinks. The main design feature here is the lip that sits on top of the bench to essentially hold the sink in place. The benchtop supports the weight so no added support is necessary. Some say overmount sinks are dated, but they’ve proven their value for many years making them a prime consideration.
They are often seen with laminate benchtops but can be used with stone too. In fact, overmount was once the most common method used. Recently though, the modern look of the undermount has made it reign supreme. Despite this shift in design trends, there are still some great benefits to overmount sinks. Perhaps the biggest advantage is in terms of price. Since installation is much more straightforward, you can expect to pay nearly 50 per cent less in labour than the undermount or flushmount options. For those who prefer to do their own installation, it’s certainly a more manageable way to go. Furthermore, the sinks themselves are generally more cost-effective with availability at DIY home improvement stores.
Some of our popular models are Franke Bolero BOX and the best-selling Robiq 500-10. An interesting benefit here is for customers who plan to replace their sink in the future. This mounting method makes it much easier to do so and gives homeowners more flexibility in their design. A definite disadvantage with overmount is in their cleaning and maintenance. Dirt and other debris can get trapped around the edge of sink, creating less sanitary conditions. This isn’t too much of a concern however since it will be visible, and therefore easy to clean.
The Right Mounting Option for You
Each of these styles has its own pros and cons. The overmount is considered more old-fashioned but is far more affordable. Those who choose an undermount sink will enjoy the modern appearance but will pay about 50 per cent more to do so. Flushmount is similarly stylish but needs to be carefully fabricated and installed by a professional. Undermount and flushmount are easier to clean, but overmount is simpler to replace. As you can see, the right mounting option will likely be different for everyone. Of all these characteristics, what is more important to you? The best fit for your project will likely be a balance of all the above-mentioned pros and cons, and your project budget.
Additional Reading
The Best Single Bowl Kitchen Sinks for 2022: Reviews/Pricing
