There is a certain elegance that the undermount sink brings to the kitchen, which is why it always catches my eye.
I remember visiting my best friend Erica’s house a year ago for a housewarming party. As beautiful as the whole place was, it was the newly installed undermount sink that I couldn’t get my eyes off of. Since then, getting an undermount sink has been stuck in the back of my head.
Unable to shake the thought off, I finally took a plunge and installed a new undermount sink. It’s been a while since then, and so recently, I took it upon myself to replace the one I had. As excited as I was, taking the measurements was a pain.
Hi! My name is Stacy, and today I’m here to tell you how to measure an undermount kitchen sink. If you are like me and dislike spending hours with a measuring tape, this guide will make it much easier.
So, without further ado, let’s get right to it!
What Is An Undermount Sink?
Before measuring and subsequently installing one, let’s go over what an undermount sink is.
An undermount sink is a type that is mounted below the countertop. It is installed just a little below the countertop, ensuring no gaps between the edge of the sink and the surface. This design also ensures that any food waste can be directed towards the sink without getting stuck in the edges.
It is pretty clear why this is such a preferred type of sink, especially when the kitchen is used heavily. Unlike with some other sinks, any waste on the counter is easy to dispose of. The seamless design creates a proper flow between the sink and the countertop, making it easy to push the waste directly into the sink.
The only thing you need to remember is that an undermount sink cannot be installed with a tiled or laminated countertop. It is more suited to countertops made out of granite, marble, and even concrete.
Now, let’s finally get to the part you are here for - measuring an undermount kitchen sink. While I measured my sink to replace it with a new one, this method can be used even if you’re installing it for the first time.
One of the biggest reasons you need to measure the sink is because of the design. As I mentioned earlier, the undermount sink is installed a little below the countertop. The hole cut out for the sink has to ensure a snug fit so that there is no gap for food or water to slip in between.
The first thing you need to do is gather all the items necessary for an accurate measurement. These include:
After gathering all the materials, what you need to do is measure the length of the sink.
The easiest way to go about this is to keep it in the exact spot where you wish to install it and measure it from one end to the other. If the sink is placed exactly as it is to be installed, the length is calculated as the distance between either side (horizontal).
The critical thing to remember here is that the measurement should be from the outer rim of one side to the other and not the inner edges. This will ensure that the space cut out in the counter is the right fit.
Provided the sink is kept the same way as the previous step, the width would be the distance from front to back (vertical).
This step is as simple as the next. You need to place one end of the tape on the outer rim in the back till the outer rim in the front. The measurement on the tape is the total width of the sink.
Finally, the height has to be measured. This is an important measurement as it will tell you how much space the sink needs under the counter. Moreover, if there is a drain hole to be made, it is easier to cut it out after measuring the total height of the sink.
Simply place the measuring tape at the edge of the outer rim and measure vertically. The total distance between the outer rim to the underside of the sink is the total height of the sink.
While the sink’s length, height, and width are necessary measurements, I took two additional measurements to ensure the installation is 100% accurate.
As mentioned, the sink is placed under the countertop for a seamless flow. This is possible because of the space between the edge of the sink and the edge of the countertop. Depending on the shape of the sink, the measurement may vary, but it has to be equal on all sides.
When installing, make sure the distance is no more than one inch on all sides. If the sink is an odd shape, a few variations in the measurement (up to 1/8th of an inch) are acceptable.
To make drain placement easier, I also measured the depth of the sink. This is especially important if the drains are not straight down. For this, you can place a ruler in the deepest part of the sink and keep it straight (perpendicular to the sink). The point on the ruler where the inner edge of the sink reaches is the total depth.
And there you have it, a quick and easy way to measure an undermount sink.
Before I leave, here is a piece of advice. Make sure to always write the measurements down on a piece of paper. It is even better if you use different colored pencils/pens, as it might help in remembering the measurements better.
On that note, I shall now sign off and enjoy my newly installed second undermount sink some more. See you next time!
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