Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 May 12, 2014 6:13 pm Re: Undermount sink under laminate 3May 13, 2014 7:51 am Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Undermount sink under laminate 5May 14, 2014 4:06 pm Not with a standard laminate but you could do it using a compact laminate. Standard decorative laminates are less than 1mm thick and need to be applied to a board product for strength and support, usually particle board for a bench. When a sink hole is cut, it exposes the particle board and while it can be edged, water will eventually get in there and ruin your bench. Compact laminate is usually about 12mm thick and completely solid and moisture resistant. You can very easily make a bench top with an undermount sink using compact laminate and I would think the edges would be more durable against chipping than a stone. The problem is that compact gets quite expensive and I doubt many of the builders would be comfortable using it as it is a bit unusual for domestic applications. Most people would probably opt to pay a little extra and get stone for their house. Re: Undermount sink under laminate 6May 14, 2014 9:03 pm Thanks for the detail. Ill stop trying to be a tighta$$ and stick with the stone spec that has been provided. Re: Undermount sink under laminate 7May 15, 2014 6:49 am elsie Not with a standard laminate but you could do it using a compact laminate. Standard decorative laminates are less than 1mm thick and need to be applied to a board product for strength and support, usually particle board for a bench. When a sink hole is cut, it exposes the particle board and while it can be edged, water will eventually get in there and ruin your bench. Compact laminate is usually about 12mm thick and completely solid and moisture resistant. You can very easily make a bench top with an undermount sink using compact laminate and I would think the edges would be more durable against chipping than a stone. The problem is that compact gets quite expensive and I doubt many of the builders would be comfortable using it as it is a bit unusual for domestic applications. Most people would probably opt to pay a little extra and get stone for their house. That's all well and good but it vary rarely used as a bench top in a domestic application. If it was it would end up as expensive as stone! Its only available is 13,16 or 18mm so a bit limited if you want a 40mm thick top. Its more of a commercial product and looks like it too. The OP was talking about normal laminated bench tops that every kitchen company, cabinet maker and builder offer. Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Undermount sink under laminate 8May 18, 2014 4:40 am I've seen undermount sinks with laminate benchtops in European kitchens (even Ikea UK do them) but in Australia it's very rare. Omega tried to bring in an undermount sink specially made for laminate benchtops many many years ago into Australia. It came with some undermount frame but wasn't popular at all. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ worktops_buying_guide_2014-28 by kitchen.ideas, on Flickr Re: Undermount sink under laminate 9May 18, 2014 9:21 am Jaeger LeCoultre I've seen undermount sinks with laminate benchtops in European kitchens (even Ikea UK do them) but in Australia it's very rare. Omega tried to bring in an undermount sink specially made for laminate benchtops many many years ago into Australia. It came with some undermount frame but wasn't popular at all. [ There not standard laminate tops!! That is a compact laminate that tends not to be used in domestic applications!! You cant have an undermount bowl with a standard laminate top. Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Undermount sink under laminate 11May 18, 2014 11:52 am CuttingEdgeKitchens Jaeger LeCoultre I've seen undermount sinks with laminate benchtops in European kitchens (even Ikea UK do them) but in Australia it's very rare. Omega tried to bring in an undermount sink specially made for laminate benchtops many many years ago into Australia. It came with some undermount frame but wasn't popular at all. [ There not standard laminate tops!! That is a compact laminate that tends not to be used in domestic applications!! You cant have an undermount bowl with a standard laminate top. Sorry, I didn't mean to cause any trouble with my post. I'm no expert in laminate and I haven't even installed a laminate bench myself but I think I've seen undermount sinks in laminate benchtops in overseas kitchens yet haven't seen one in Australia. Not sure if they use compact laminate or normal laminate overseas for that but looking at the videos it seems a lot of work, probably the labour costs more then the benchtop itself! Once again I hope I didn't upset anyone as I learned so much from this forum but I'm just curious to see if anyone has done it in Australia and if they have any problems. http://fixmycabinet.com/2011/03/21/install-undermount-sink-laminate-countertops/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ciHWj0hQyo Re: Undermount sink under laminate 12May 18, 2014 5:12 pm Jaeger LeCoultre Sorry, I didn't mean to cause any trouble with my post. I'm no expert in laminate and I haven't even installed a laminate bench myself but I think I've seen undermount sinks in laminate benchtops in overseas kitchens yet haven't seen one in Australia. Not sure if they use compact laminate or normal laminate overseas for that but looking at the videos it seems a lot of work, probably the labour costs more then the benchtop itself! Once again I hope I didn't upset anyone as I learned so much from this forum but I'm just curious to see if anyone has done it in Australia and if they have any problems. [] No trouble at all! I just don't want people reading this thread and then heading to there local kitchen company or cabinet maker wanting something that is almost never done and to expensive to be of any worth. Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Undermount sink under laminate 13May 19, 2014 7:17 am I know this isn't the question but I can't stand undermount sinks. I have one, under stone, and it is a pain to keep clean. It also wasn't done properly (2nd hand house so not our doing!) and recently while doing the dishes it fell through into the cabinet below almost impossible to replace so have to re-do the whole area, but for now it has been 'glued' and 'supported' into place as a temporary measure. I realise this is probably not common but I doubt I'll ever have one fitted if I had the choice! Re: Undermount sink under laminate 14May 19, 2014 10:41 am MalSannie I know this isn't the question but I can't stand undermount sinks. I have one, under stone, and it is a pain to keep clean. It also wasn't done properly (2nd hand house so not our doing!) and recently while doing the dishes it fell through into the cabinet below almost impossible to replace so have to re-do the whole area, but for now it has been 'glued' and 'supported' into place as a temporary measure. I realise this is probably not common but I doubt I'll ever have one fitted if I had the choice! Someone told me the same thing happened to their sink and since then the husband has the undermount-sink-phobia! Personally I'm not a big fan of undermount sinks: stone edge getting chipped around the sink, water always on the bench around the tap base. The worst I think is undermount sinks on timber bench, but I have to say the undermount sink on laminate top like the one below does look very sleek. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Undermount sink under laminate 15May 19, 2014 1:24 pm MalSannie I know this isn't the question but I can't stand undermount sinks. I have one, under stone, and it is a pain to keep clean. It also wasn't done properly (2nd hand house so not our doing!) and recently while doing the dishes it fell through into the cabinet below almost impossible to replace so have to re-do the whole area, but for now it has been 'glued' and 'supported' into place as a temporary measure. I realise this is probably not common but I doubt I'll ever have one fitted if I had the choice! If done properly it's not hard to keep clean. I.e. cutout isn't too small or big. As for falling out, the installers prob didn't use enough silicone or pressure while the silicone was drying. Having both under mount and drop in, I'll take the under mount one any day of the week. Re: Undermount sink under laminate 16May 19, 2014 1:29 pm Jaeger LeCoultre MalSannie I know this isn't the question but I can't stand undermount sinks. I have one, under stone, and it is a pain to keep clean. It also wasn't done properly (2nd hand house so not our doing!) and recently while doing the dishes it fell through into the cabinet below almost impossible to replace so have to re-do the whole area, but for now it has been 'glued' and 'supported' into place as a temporary measure. I realise this is probably not common but I doubt I'll ever have one fitted if I had the choice! Someone told me the same thing happened to their sink and since then the husband has the undermount-sink-phobia! Personally I'm not a big fan of undermount sinks: stone edge getting chipped around the sink, water always on the bench around the tap base. The worst I think is undermount sinks on timber bench, but I have to say the undermount sink on laminate top like the one below does look very sleek. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ How many under mount sinks have chipped stone? I think very few. I don't know anyone who has this issue. As for water around the base of the Tap. There is some when washing up, but you're also going to have water around there with a drop in sink. My solution to this to wipe the bench dry after washing up. I also had to do this with my drop in sink. Re: Undermount sink under laminate 17May 20, 2014 4:09 am Hi Jaeger LeCoultre - 'undermount-sink-phobia' made my day! I think that accurately describes my reaction to them Agreed - they look absolutely beautiful but not for me thanks! And yes, we have lots of chips in the stone's edge, especially between the 2 sinks Re: Undermount sink under laminate 18May 20, 2014 6:43 am [quote="MalSannie"]Hi Jaeger LeCoultre - 'undermount-sink-phobia' made my day! I think that accurately describes my reaction to them Agreed - they look absolutely beautiful but not for me thanks! And yes, we have lots of chips in the stone's edge, especially between the 2 sinks /quote] And we have none. It really depends on the type of bowl you buy and the type of person you are. Our double undermount has no stone between the bowls greatly reducing chipping issues. I also find that some people are just plain careless and don't concentrate on what they are doing there for bashing plates and pans into stone edges. (not having a go at you) Personally I couldn't be without out undermount. Its just a breeze to wipe straight into the sink especially after rolling out pizza doe on the stone!! Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Undermount sink under laminate 19May 20, 2014 8:24 am JLC, that is how most kitchen sinks were done in NZ thirty years ago and they do look very swish. Very easy to wipe up as per CEK says above with his stone bench. I was very surprised when I came to Aus. to see most sinks were of the drop in sort with the lip 2-3mm above the bench. Stewie Re: Undermount sink under laminate 20May 20, 2014 6:48 pm Stewie D JLC, that is how most kitchen sinks were done in NZ thirty years ago and they do look very swish. Very easy to wipe up as per CEK says above with his stone bench. I was very surprised when I came to Aus. to see most sinks were of the drop in sort with the lip 2-3mm above the bench. Stewie The first time I saw an under mount sink on laminate bench is in an Ikea catalogue in the 90's and I couldn't figure out how it was done. Then I saw one in real life in a kitchen showroom in Germany and was amazed by it. I guess each type of sinks has its pros and cons. It really depends on what you like and how well you and your family members care for the sink (even my last dog was using the sink, he managed to steal chicken wings that were sitting in the sink!). Have had stone benches with undermount sink (kitchen) and drop-in (laundry) and top-mounted basin (bathrooms) for coming up 13 years and not one chip/scratch of any kind.… 2 9671 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair At a bit of a loss on this one - we're thinking the original owners never removed the protective laminate covers from their kitchen cabinets after installation and in the… 0 6328 We are doing heaps of hybrid at the moment and the cost sits between $60-65/sqm including installation. Stairs are around $90-100 each 1 4306 |