A Guide to Sinks For Granite Worktops & Installation Methods

A Guide to Sinks For Granite Worktops & Installation Methods

June 01, 2021
By Elizabeth Welch

A sink installation can often be the crowning jewel in your kitchen’s glory, so it is important to get it right. There are so many different choices of sinks for stone worktops that it can get very confusing, very quickly.

In this latest blog, we will look at four different types of granite countertop sink installations and how you need special tools for each one!

We'll explore sinks for stone worktops that come with a pre-installed drain assembly or without; those where plumbing access points are visible on top vs under mounting location; as well as surface measurements requirements including cutting templates, template sizes and installation instructions.

Table of Contents

The Undermount Sink

 An undermount sink - granite countertop - stonegae

 

The undermount sink is the most popular granite countertop sink installation as it really does get the best out of the granite to whatever stone you are working with.  The undermount allows you to show off your beautiful granite edging work, achieved with our polishing pads for stone and your attention to detail in the drainage grooves. Undermount kitchen sinks cannot be achieved with the cheaper worktops such as laminate or Formica rather than your granite worktop or quartz worktop, so it really does provide the customer with the opportunity to show off their fabulous stone worktops.

The tops of undermount sinks are popular as they are easier to than other granite countertop sink installations as you can wipe the water and debris directly into the kitchen sink, without trapping it in the lip of the sink as you would in an overmount sink.

 

The Tooling - CNC

Fabricators can achieve this look in a granite worktop by cutting out a hole with a core drill and then using a router to route out the kitchen sink shape. To achieve the true professional look you can follow with a 20mm polishing wheel. Fluting wheels will add your drainage grooves and should be followed by an abrasive polishing wheel to polish it to a high shine finish.

For a different shape to your drainer grooves use the flue tips from position 1-4 to achieve a honed finish and hand finish with Electrofacing sheets.

Sink fixing clips and silicone will hold the kitchen sink into place and provide the all-important watertight seal.

 

The Tooling – Hand Tools

You can achieve this look by cutting the shape with a core drill and then using a Vacuum Brazed Drum to smooth the edges. If you are cutting a simple straight sink you can simple core the corners and cut out with a small blade. Wet polish out the edges with a diamond finger drum or for dry polishing use our dry polishing drums.

Fix the sink into place using Sink fixing clips and silicone to provide the all-important watertight seal.

Another method for the more skilled fabricator would be to use a curved granite blade to cut out the sinkhole.

 

 

Inset / Overmount / Drop In Sinks

 

An overmount sink - granite countertop - stonegate

  

Whatever you call them, these installations involve the sink unit sitting on top of the granite worktop. These installations usually come with the drainage board attached to the sink, so do not require fluting tools to create the drainage grooves in the stone. This traditional style sink will simply drop into the cut out hole and is then usually sealed with silicone.

Although these can be tougher to clean than the undermount or the Belfast sinks they are usually very easy to replace should you need them to change. Simply unseal, take the sink out and drop the new sink in, without any risk damage to the stone.

 

The Tooling

This is a relatively easy install as opposed to the undermount style sink. You will still need to cut out the sink shape with a core drill and a router but as the edge is hidden you will not need to do any polishing. Simply drop the sink in and seal with the silicone.

 

 

The Belfast / Butler Sink

 

A Belfast sink - granite countertop - stonegate

 

 

This style of granite countertop sink installations is quickly gaining popularity in kitchens, particularly in the county kitchen décor. The sink rests its weight on the kitchen unit, with the exposed front edge. Just like the under mount style, the Belfast is installed under the granite worktop, exposing the edges and allowing you to show off your fluting skills on the drainage grooves.

You will often find the Belfast used as a colour contrast to the countertop or kitchen units. The back section of the granite tends to be quite weak as it is bridging the two sides together, so some fabricators will opt to have this as a separate piece.

The Tooling.

The tooling required for this look is exactly the same as the undermount installation.

  

The Tooling - CNC

Fabricators can achieve this look in a granite worktop by cutting out a hole with a core drill and then using a router to route out the sink shape. To achieve the true professional look you can follow with a 20mm polishing wheel. Fluting wheels will add your drainage grooves and should be followed by an abrasive polishing wheel to polish it. For a different shape to your drainer grooves use the flue tips from position 1-4 to achieve a honed finish. The sink does not need a fixing clip to hold into place as it rests on the kitchen cabinet. Silicone will still be required to provide the all-important watertight seal.

 

The Tooling – Hand Tools

You can achieve this look by starting with a core drill in the two top corners and using a small blade to cut between. Wet polish out the edges with a diamond finger drum or for dry polishing use our dry polishing drums. Use silicone provide the all-important watertight seal.  

 

The Roll Top Sink

 

A roll top sink - granite countertop - stonegate

  

The roll top sink is not a common installation and can often be seen as a very superficial look. It does, however, have its benefits. The roll top sink is easy to install and will avoid any water puddles on the stone.

 

The Tooling

We said this was an easy installation and we certainly weren’t exaggerating. As the roll top runs all the way from the front to the back and is fully supported on the kitchen unit you do not need to cut out the sink shape or etch in the drainage grooves. Simply seal with silicone to the countertop and you are good to go!

 

For any advice on the tooling needed to complete these looks get in touch with our sales team today, who will be happy to advise on the setup and use of these tools.

 

 Stonegate Precision Tooling, the UK's most trusted supplier...

Here at Stonegate Precision Tooling, we've had the privilege of working with stone fabricators across both the UK and worldwide in providing them with the most innovative tooling and consumables for stone. Our work with stone fabricators has given us the first-hand expertise our customers need when choosing a key supplier to provide them with the essentials to keep them in business.

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