Undermount, drop-in or farmhouse
| Style | How it mounts | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undermount | Clipped and sealed to the underside of the stone | Clean look; wipe crumbs straight in; more usable counter | The cutout edge must be polished; harder to replace |
| Drop-in (top mount) | Rim rests on the counter | Simple to install and replace; forgiving cutout | Rim catches crumbs and grime |
| Farmhouse (apron front) | Sits in a cut-down cabinet with its front exposed | Big, deep bowl; a classic look | Needs a matching cabinet; heavy |
Stone handles an undermount sink well because the stone itself is water-resistant at the cut edge, unlike laminate, which swells if water reaches its core.
Sink materials
- Stainless steel: light, affordable and hard to break. Thicker steel (a lower gauge number) dents and drums less.
- Composite (granite or quartz composite): stone dust in resin. Quiet, scratch-resistant and comes in colors.
- Fireclay and cast iron: glossy enamel or glaze, very heavy, can chip if something heavy falls in.
- Porcelain and vitreous china: common in bathrooms.
Size and layout
- Fit: the sink must fit inside your sink base cabinet with room for clips. Sink makers list the smallest cabinet each sink fits.
- Single bowl: room for big pans and sheet trays.
- Double bowl: wash in one side, rinse or stack in the other.
- Depth: deeper bowls hide dishes and cut splashing but are harder on your back.
- Faucet holes: count the holes your faucet, soap pump and sprayer need before any are drilled.
Before the stone is cut
Have the actual sink, or its cutout template, on hand when the countertop is cut. The cutout is sized to the sink, not the other way round, and stone cannot be un-cut. Center the sink on its cabinet, and keep seams away from the cutout. See installing prefab countertops.
Common questions
Is an undermount sink better for granite countertops?
For most kitchens, yes: it is easier to keep clean and shows off the stone. A drop-in is fine and easier to swap out later.
Can I put a drop-in sink in a stone countertop?
Yes. The cutout does not need a polished edge because the sink’s rim covers it.
Do you sell sinks?
Yes. See our sinks, with prices posted, for pickup at the Idaho Falls warehouse.