Hi Guys

I want to install a cut-down kitchen base unit in the bathroom, 100 W 500D, with 30mm 'top.

Into the top I want to fit 2x recessed basins. As long as they are contemporary, I don't mind what shape they are.

Can anyone tell me the minumum spacing from the edges of the worktop & between the units in order to retain rigidity, please?

Basically I'm trying to find suitable basin units, but the smallest so far is 465 x 335mm

This is too big!

EDIT: The smallest inset sink I can find is 400mm round.

That would give 66mm between the sinks and from the left and right-hand edges.

Is that enough?

Would it be better to use 40 milli tops?

Thanks.

Not too sure but I know the thicker you use the closer you can get to the edge.
Have seen some only 35mm from the edge, seemed strong enough.

Depends what the 'top' is made from.

Thanks guys. Bog standard kitchen worktop, unless you recommend something else: I'm here to be educated!!

Thinking about it, with two basins, I think it'd better be 40mm. Will the basins need other support?

Would it be best to fit 2x500W units to give better support to the basins, especially when full??

The main danger of breakage with cuts near the edge of worktops is when actually cutting them and moving the top into position.

Once installed, 66mm is plenty, particularly with a round basin.
Loads of kitchen sinks have less than that at the edge, and they are rectangular so a 900+ thin strip.
Also are the measurements of 400 the actual sink size or the cutout size - this will make quite a difference to the width of material at the edge of the holes.

Two 500 units will have more support in the centre, but then so would a 1000 unit with an additional cross piece fixed in the middle. Depends if you want 2 separate cupboards or one large one.
Two separate ones will make fitting water and waste pipes more difficult.

If you really want a tiny round basin, then things like this are available:
http://www.aquaplussolutions.com/Bathroom-Suites-Basins-Inset-Basins-APS-L50-Brasilia-Basin-135~48-de.html#details
Taps go in the worktop, or on the wall.

Nice piece of hardwood top would look better or 25mm ply and then slate tiles.
Have you considered basins which sit on top and only require waste holes.
Bit like this

Thank you very much fellas, you've been incredibly helpful.

The sink I'm thinking of is 400W, but the cutout is 365.

Now, as for the surface-mounted bowls, Mrs Secure does not like them.

I think they're OK, plus, it leaves more space in the cupboard.....

One cupboard it is then, if getting the pipework in will be more tricky. To save space, could I get away with a 900mm unit?

A 1000 will fit, but I don't really want it to be like the one in your picture, where you can't get the side panel off the bath in a crisis.....

I always keep a large hammer handy for a crisis.

Nooooooooooo....................................

the main conciderations i would think are not the amount cut out/left but what support it will get from underneath, as a 38mm top cut to within 10mm will be nearly as strong as a 20mm top cut to 20mm of the edge. but if you then strengthened the 20mm top with a batten underneath then it would be as good as the 38mm etc....

OK, thanks.

So do I take it that the general opinion is that I could put two evenly spaced 365mm diameter holes in a 900mm length of 40mm thick worktop as long as there is some sub-worktop reinforcement?

How close to the front edge of the worktop would you put the holes?

EDIT:

I'm trying to draw a scale drawing of a worktop 900mm wide and 530mm deep with two evenly spaced holes of 265mm each, but anm failing miserably.

Thanks Flame!

I couldn't even generate a circle......

Now I can visualise it better.

I don't need you to redraw it, but looking at your picture, do you think the sinks would be better closer to the front edge of the worktop?

I need to fit a couple of monoblocs in at the back.

Perhaps they could go in the middle, each angled towards one bowl?

Or do you think they would look better behind the bowls?

I figured 530mm depth as the unit will be 500 deep and the overhang on the front of a 570 deep cupboard is 30mm.