Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Installing new kitchen sink - what size?

Hi folks... We just put in new kitchen cabinets and are getting ready to install a stainless steel sink in the new counter top. The cabinets are standard 24" deep. We grabbed a Kohler single basin 25" X 22" thinking that sinks were all a standard depth (22 inches). The counter top has a molded back splash, and while marking my cut out, I realized that there was barely enough counter top area for a 22" deep sink. Even if I place the sink rim all the way to the back (so it is in contact with the back splash) there is barely any overhang underneath to hook the clamps onto. I read somewhere that for a counter with a back splash, you need a 20 1/2" deep sink. Yet 99% of the sinks on the market are 22" deep. I did find a Kohler sink on their web site which is only 21 1/4" and it was advertised as being for "special situations." I have a pretty standard laminate counter top and it doesn't seem like I should need a special sink for this installation. Am I missing something here???

Thanks in advance for your help!

I just checked my sizes for you.

My builder installed countertops measure 24.5 inches from the front face to the back of countertop formed back splash and my double stainless steel sink measures 18 inches deep (front to back). There is not a lot of room to spare with the faucet installed on the countertop between the countertop back splash and the sink.

Sounds like the sink you picked up is for extra deep counter tops.

Hope that helps.

A standard depth sink(22") will fit on a post formed top. It is very tight, and you will have a hard time with the front clips or even have to forgo them. But it will fit. If you can't get the front clips on, use silicone adhesive caulk under the lip(which you should do anyhow), and clamp it until it sets. Don't try to wipe up excess caulk that squeezes out, it will make a mess. Wait for it to dry, then trim it off with a utility knife.

1st of all, 25x22, 30x22 and 36x22 are nominal sizes not exact sizes and they vary a little by mfr. Typically, the measurements indicate the outside measurements of the finished side. They are not the opening sizes. Please don't cut the hole at 25x22 the sink will fall right through.

I'm going to guess that you are using a stainless steel sink.

I'm also going to guess that the real problem is that the build up (particle board) on the from edge of the counter is too wide to attach the clips. That relatively easy to fix.

1st, hopefully your sink came with a template either in the box or printed on it. Use the template to locate the hole.

Your cabinet is probably 24" deep ,but the inside measurement of the opening is 22 1/2 deep.

With the countertop in place you need to locate and mark the inside edge of the cabinet on the countertop surface and add about 1/8", this will give you clearance when cutting.

Now lay the template on the counter. With the cutout all the way up to the fron edge of the cabinet you should have plenty of room to install the sink with room to spare in the back.

Now back to the build-up ( the thick front edge) . You need to remove enough of the build up to be able to secure the clips, but not so much that it destablizes the laminate. a large drill bit should do the trick and then chisel away any extra that you may need to. The build up is typically 3/4 " or somtimes 1/2 thick depending on the mfr. you can measure it to see how far you can go. It is typically glued (and sometimes stapled) Just remember once you remove some of the builup here is still 3/4 of particalboard between you and the laminate.

A standard depth sink(22") will fit on a post formed top. It is very tight, and you will have a hard time with the front clips or even have to forgo them. But it will fit. If you can't get the front clips on, use silicone adhesive caulk under the lip(which you should do anyhow), and clamp it until it sets. Don't try to wipe up excess caulk that squeezes out, it will make a mess. Wait for it to dry, then trim it off with a utility knife.

Thanks Bill, I've spoken with a few other builders now who have told me the same thing. I don't know if sinks are just being made larger today than "the old days" but they are just a very tight fit with no room to play. One other suggestion I got was to use my rotozip on the inside od the cabinet rail to make a groove for the clips (if there isn't any counter lip left over after cutting). Silicone caulk and a bit of ingenuity seems to be the answer.