My wife and I are getting new countertops, and we found an undermount sink we really like, but it looks REALLY big to me. If the countertop installers can get it in there, it seem like the opening of the sink will be about an inch in from the front of the counter.

So my question is: if you go and buy a kitchen sink, will they all fit what is (I think) considered to be a standard depth of 25 inches? Are there countertops that are deeper than 25 inches, excluding islands?

Thanks

 

Need to be talking to the top installers about your choice.

 

It may "look" big, but what does it measure? That's the real question. Most will be about 21". Did you measure it?

 

Flange edge to flange edge is 21 inches (measured front to back). Inside measure is 19 inches (measured front to back). The template calls for 4-1/2 inches minimum from the backsplash to the inside edge. This puts the front inside edge of the sink about an inch away from the front edge of the counter. I have been looking for photos of countertops that have sink openings that close to the counter edge, just to see what it looks like.

When the guys come here to template, there has to be a sink available. I may go and get another sink, a second choice, just to be sure. I will get charged if they have to come back.

I don't have enough experience to know if most/all countertops are a standard depth of 25 inches.

 

I swear, I have yet to see an accurate sink template. Whoever makes those things has never installed a sink. Your guys who come to template will know what to do. Bottom line is that the sink gets centered between the front edge of your backsplash and the inside edge of your sink base, which is usually around 22". It will fit.

 

Thanks, XSleeper. Like I wrote, I don't have enough experience to know if all countertops are 25 inches deep, and any sink that is advertised as a "kitchen sink" has to fit a standard countertop. If both cases are true, then I should be OK.

 

I assume it has an offset area for the faucet? Meaning the faucet is included in the 21", right?

 

No. The minimum distance from the backsplash to the inside edge is 4-1/2 inches. From there, it's 19 inches to the front edge of the sink.

What I wonder is: if the front edge of the sink opening is about an inch from the front edge of the counter, is that too close?

 

What's the brand and model number? I think you are clearly confused. If the sink is 1" from the front of the counter, you would need to cut out the face of the cabinet (which is 3/4" thick) for the sink to fit.... so no, that's not where it goes. See post #5.

 

There are exceptions, namely junk sinks, but you purchased a standard undermount sink.

In your case the only measurement that matters is sink base width. It's possible but not advised to install a 33" sink in a 33" cabinet. A 33" wide sink would ideally be in a 36" sink base.

If your fabricator has a CNC router, they will have the factory CAD drawings to make the cutout.

 

XS - I have an American Standard "Danville". Here is the link, and hopefully I haven't violated any forum rules by putting it up:

Danville 23x21 Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink - American Standard

 

Thanks, Brian. Our sink base is wide enough. This is what we purchased:

Danville 23x21 Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink - American Standard

 

Now that's helpful. If you click on the specs link.... inside your link above, it says 30" cabinet required. That's where the 4 1/2" comes in... the faucet needs to be mounted in the available space behind the sink.

Many under counter sinks have either a rear flange with faucet cutouts that is included in the 21", or they are 2 bowl, and one bowl is offset for the faucet and handle. One of those types is the kind you should look for.

 

XS - Isn't the 30" cabinet required the width of the base cabinet, and not the depth? We have a 33" wide base cabinet, so we are set if it means the width of the cabinet.

Do they even make 30" deep base cabinets?

 

You're fine.
Are you getting a single side mounted handle faucet? If so try to avoid one where the handle needs to rotate back towards the splash for either temperature.

 

Brian - we have one of those faucets, just bought it. The handle moves back and forth. Right now, the center of the main spout is 3 inches from the backsplash. When I move the handle all the way to the back towards the backplash, there is still about 1/2 inch of clearance betewwn the handle and the backsplash. I think that will be fine with the new install, because the template calls for 4-1/2 inches minimum from the backsplash to the rear edge of the sink opening.

Dave

 

To explain how an undermount sink is designed as far as dimensions:

A standard top mount sink is 22x33, and will fit in any standard 24" deep cabinet.
The undermount eliminates the top mount deck where faucet attaches, let's say that deck is 3".
The undermount inside bowl is 19" front to back.
22-3 equals 19.

 

Brian - have you seen or installed sinks whose front openings are only 1-1/2 inches from the front edge of the counter? Is this too close in your opinion?

 

Maybe it does mean 30" wide. But that is cutting it pretty close, depending on the thickness of the backsplash. I hope you are getting something like this, with no trim. They sometimes want to know what hardware you will be using.

 

XS - yes, that's pretty much looks like the faucet I just installed about a month ago.

Our backsplash is just regular wall tile, so it's not anything really thick.

Dave

 

Oh well that's perfect then!

 

If your current splash is 3/4" and the new is 2cm, you should be fine. If you're getting 3cm granite you might have a problem.

Either way, if the handle does hit, I usually check with customer and install the handle at 45° to splash, never had one say no and it looks good.


Edit: We're crossing each other, let's take a look tomorrow. You are fine in every aspect.

 

Brian - the current backsplash is some fancy wall tile (1/4 inch thick) my wife found a number of years ago, and I am confident the new countertop will slip right in where the old one comes out of. May have to build up under the counter by 1/2 cm (I think that's too much to fill with caulk).

Again, I ask, if there is only 1-1/2 inches between the front edge of the counter and the sink opening, is that too close?

Dave

 

Assuming your counter is 25", yes, 1 1/2" is a little too close. There would be 1" of overhang, 3/4" of oak, and maybe 1/4" of wiggle room if they put it as far forward as possible. That's 2". That also puts the back of the sink 2" from the wall, not including the backsplash thickness.

 

I made a simple CAD drawing showing how sink will work. The inside (bowl) dimensions are 21x19. You can see you will have at least 3.25" at back and front. The front can moved forward (you don't need 3.25 at front of counter) to allow for even more room at back.



The 4 lines at bottom of drawing represent the front edge of counter (25.5), 3/4" face frame and sink cut out 1" behind back of face frame.

 

Thanks, Brian. This helps. The only issue is that the paper template that came with the sink calls for 4-1/2 inch minimum distance between the backsplash and the inside of the bowl. I dont know how crucial that distance is, or if the installers can jimmie it around a bit.

Dave

 

The 4.5 is not critical. I've gone over the numbers and this will work. Ignore the dimensions in the drawing, that was showing it will fit and how much play you have.
Here is what I advise, using a 25.5 deep counter:

- Front of cut out 2.25" from front edge of counter (this will be adjusted a little)
- Cut out = 19" deep
- This leaves you with 4" between the sink and splash.

4" is plenty of room to install a faucet, especially since your sink is not rectangular.

The sink template is required for cutting the contour of the sink, but the front to back center line is not set in stone.

 

Thanks, Brian. That helps a lot!

Dave

 

Good deal. The faucet will be a little hard to install but very doable. Have someone hold it in place while you secure it from below.