Under mount sink cradle

[FiremanT]

I am fitting my own kitchen.
I have an under minute sink and will have granite worktops.
The sink comes with an instruction to use a “cradle”, which they explain how to create.
They say to use MDF but I will use ply.
The idea is to cut the ply to the same size of the internal section of the cabinet (approx 800 x 600mm). Secure cradle to cabinet flush with top edge. Then cut out to the sink size excluding the lip/flange. THEN rebate the ply around the opening to allow the sink to lie flush with the top of the cabinet (sorry to teach youse to suck eggs, just wanted to make sure we are in the same page!):

Question: Why not just fit the ply to just below flush, so the sink when fitted IS flush? Am I missing something?

Also, the sink is from Howdens. The trap kit seems a bit cheap - would you guys use it or buy better?

Thanks

 

[CountryFan]

Not sure on the undermount sink, but those traps are crap, so yeah I would use McAlpine.

 

[dilalio]

Need a sketch.
Can't visualise it from your description!

 

[Mottie]

Dunno what sink you have but when I fitted mine, under instruction of the quartz fitter, I just fitted a brace and nibbled enough out of the units so that the sink was flush. I sealed the cabinet unit before resting it in place and the worktop fitter applied sealant before putting the top in place.

 

[FiremanT]

Dunno what sink you have but when I fitted mine, under instruction of the quartz fitter, I just fitted a brace and nibbled enough out of the units so that the sink was flush. I sealed the cabinet unit before resting it in place and the worktop fitter applied sealant before putting the top in place.

View attachment 398873

The dark grey is part of the original cabinet?
I need to unpack the sink and look, TBF. I can see that if the sink impinges on any part of the structure, that will need to be rebated.

Personally, I think this is , like so much stuff, is style over substance. I tried to persuade the other half that a conventional sink and drainer is better, but she is adamant (on the style front).
Where does one place washed dishes? Yes, about £180 to have grooves cut into the granite. Do they work effectively at directing ALL the water to the sink? No, I believe.
Is water going to drip over the front edge if the counter - definitely yes.

 

[dilalio]

style over substance

Totally agree mate.
I use "form over function"
We did it in our kitchen years ago...
2 x round undernounted sinks.
Soon got rid of them when we had kids...
Double bowl and drainer and it still gets piled high with crap!

 

[FiremanT]

Totally agree mate.
I use "form over function"
We did it in our kitchen years ago...
2 x round undernounted sinks.
Soon got rid of them when we had kids...
Double bowl and drainer and it still gets piled high with crap!

My missus says we shouldn’t have stuff there - it should be dried and put away.

We’ll see

 

[Mottie]

The dark grey is part of the original cabinet?

Yes

Where does one place washed dishes?

In the cupboards when they come out of the dishwasher.

Yes, about £180 to have grooves cut into the granite.

No extra on the cost of the quartz worktop. TBH, I hadn’t even thought of it. I was given a price which I accepted and when the man came round to take the exact measurements, he suggested drain channels.

Do they work effectively at directing ALL the water to the sink? No, I believe.

Yes, definitely.

Is water going to drip over the front edge if the counter - definitely yes.

Not that I’ve noticed.

We bought one of these but we rarely use it.

 

[FiremanT]

Yes, about £180 to have grooves cut into the granite.

No extra on the cost of the quartz worktop. TBH, I hadn’t even thought of it. I was given a price which I accepted and when the man came round to take the exact measurements, he suggested drain channels

It may not have been listed, and the cost may differ to ours, but a charge was there.

We didn’t sell kitchen worktops, but I sold granite and marble. Every operation carries a charge - standard edge, for most, is double arris, cheaper budget firms, single arris. Having a semi or full bull nose carries a significant cost, for example - but unless you ask fir a comparative quite, you won’t know. We DID ask about the extra charge, and it is approx £180. The cost is made uo of the physical routing, then polishing.

 

[richw]

Re. mounting the sink, I've just had done similar with a Howdens under-mount porcelain sink. The joiner raised the shelf slightly so the sink could rest on that. Some additional supports were added to the unit because a fair ol' chunk was cut-out and the sink is rather heavy. Works absolutely fine.

I used the cheapo waste kit supplied, and although it doesn't leak, I do wonder if I should have used a McApline one!