top mount sink morphed into undermount - feasible?

[Renata]

I'm considering installing the kitchen sink as an undermount instead of top mount.

If you don't want to read the rest, the main question is, are there any drawbacks, or "oops" that I'm not thinking of that are gonna get me in trouble mid way (or worse) thru the project?

Besides being a cleaner look, there are other advantages.

The clips are able to handle but so thick a material and ply + cement backerboard board + granite tile are too much for 'em.

Trying to clip only to the tile concerns me.

My plan (at the moment) is to secure the sink to the ply base, run the backerboard to the sink lip (but not over it) and then overlap the tile on top of the sink lip to the edge. Not sure how the thinset will be handled at the sink edge. Grout?

Thanx Renata

[Robatoy]

Oh boy, where to begin. You have to support all the weight of a full sink. Water and dishes. Then make it all waterproof. Then make it look good,

Start here:

is a complex issue, far beyond the scope of a DIY attempt, IMHO.

r

[Renata]

I actually over-engineer this aspect. Bought angle iron to help reinforce the load bearing. But...

In reality, while it would've looked like undermount, in actuality it's is top mount (mounted to ply base). The tile would simply have gone over top of the sink flanges.

However, having realized the amount of cutting required to match the contours of the sink, plus the aesthetics of tile vs solid, I have decided to modify the design.

The plan is to mount the sink on top of the cement board and butt the tile to the edge of the sink flanges, making the surface nearly flush between the 2. Only issue in this version is the rounded corners of the sink flange. My thinking at the moment is to buy a diamond circle cutter w/ the radius matching the sink corners.

Whadyathink?

If that doesn't work, I'll do a straight top mount over the tile.

A dry run - the tile really does look good in the pseudo undermount design (overlapping sink flanges), but..., see above.

Nah, I am always willing to stretch the limits. Though, I do try to realize when the investment required, be it in tools or wisdom, exceeds reasonableness. (e.g. investing a grand in granite fabricating equipment is not practical since I'm not planning to go into the business. Fabricator would be the practical solution here).

[Robatoy]

Yes, I like that approach. I don't know the sink you have in mind, but if it is any of the 'big' guys, like Blanco, they will have a .dxf file on line which you can import into a basic drawing program. Franke, Kohler all have similar files. Have it printed out 1:1..or trace it directly from the sink. Can abrasive cords be had for band saws? Know anybody with a stain- glass shop? Those cats have saws which will make short order of your needs...for a few bucks, or a couple of well-chosen vintages, they'll cut stuff for people.

If the flange of your sink is thinner than the tile, you can easily elevate the sink. I think it would look a bit better if the sink edge was a bit proud of the tile...but as I said, don't know which sink you're using.

For sure.. me too. That is FUN!

My style these days is: "Yup, can do." and then worry about it later.

Good luck!