Why Choose Undermount Sinks for Multifamily Buildings

August 13, 2024

3 minute read

Today’s multifamily residents can seem picky about interiors and furnishings.

That’s because resident demographics, lifestyles, and needs have changed considerably in the last few years.

So, when it comes to kitchen features selecting the right sink can make a big difference. And what do today’s residents want?

Sleek lines and clean designs that go with modern minimalistic trends
Easy to maintain,minimum-upkeep workspaces for busy lifestyles
Space efficient fixtures that maximize usable space

Your kitchen sink area - the most heavily used part of the kitchen - needs materials and designs that mix luxury and functionality.

And in most cases, stainless steel undermount sinks give builders the most bang for their buck.

Let’s explore why.

How Undermount Sinks Make Your Kitchen Design Irresistible

Undermount kitchen sinks are installed below the countertop, which eliminates the overhanging rim of a drop-in sink.

Undermount sinks have been around for over 100 years, but they only became common in the last few decades. Since then, they've continued growing in popularity, taking an increasing share of sink production. People love them for several reasons.

They look great. The clean lines of an undermount kitchen sink can make a kitchen feel more high-end and luxurious. Their sleek, seamless look is perfect for modern kitchens.
They’re easier to clean. Residents can sweep crumbs and debris from the countertop directly into the sink without running into an overhanging rim. They also don’t build up debris around the edges like a drop-in, which keeps them looking fresh.
They’re space efficient. Undermount kitchen sinks are the best way to give residents the biggest basin without eating up excess counter space. That makes them ideal for kitchens where space is at a premium.

What are the downsides to an undermount sink?

As popular as they are, undermount sinks have one main drawback. They are more complicated to install and require more expensive countertop materials.

So are they worth it? In most cases, yes.

Builders almost always recover the cost from the increased price per square foot. For example, installing a laminate countertop with a top mount sink would likely cost less than half the price of a granite countertop with an undermount sink. For budget constructions, this approach can save on labor and countertop expenses.

But this approach won’t be as appealing to higher-budget residents.The higher-end materials and modern look can justify the higher cost by increasing the per-square-foot value of the property.

As for the installation process, it’s not significantly more complicated than properly installing a top mount sink either. Your install team likely can, or already has, mastered it.

What about the counters?

As we mentioned, the biggest cost that undermount sinks add to your budget will be the countertops.

Since the counter edge is exposed, they need to be cut precisely and finished. That means:

You’ll need to choose the right material (such as natural stone or white quartz)
You’ll need to get your counters fabricated to a higher quality

Drop-in sinks cover the unfinished edges of laminate or tile counters. This allows for a less precise cutout with plenty of wiggle room.

Depending on where you are, laminate countertops can be incredibly budget-friendly. Estimators suggest that the cost per square foot, including materials and fabrication, typically ranges from $20 to $40. On the other hand, granite or other stone products can set you back anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot. However, if you can connect with a local fabricator, you might get an even better deal.

Keep in mind, these are retail prices. For multi-family constructions, the actual costs drop significantly, especially if you have an in-house fabricator. Plus, if your construction schedule is flexible, you can save even more on labor costs.

Prefabrication and standardization make it a lot easier and more affordable to give your residents beautiful countertops and a luxurious kitchen sink. Prefabricated countertops are pre-cut and pre-finished in a factory setting. So they’ll be delivered to the jobsite with cutouts already made for your sink and holes already drilled for your faucet, speeding the installation process along.

The main risk of prefabrication is that any mistakes in the sink cutout can be magnified by the volume of work. In a worst-case scenario, instead of one countertop being miscut, you might have 300 miscuts.

For ADA units, you can usually find a sink with a matching cutout, reducing the chances of confusion and errors. By choosing a standard sink size for all kitchen units and ensuring the cutout files are accurate, you can minimize this risk and achieve consistent results without increasing your labor budget or timeline.

This all might sound like extra hassle for the purchasing department, but the important thing is that these design choices pay off.

The right fixtures and finishes will increase the value per square foot of your property. And will help you attract high-quality residents who are willing to pay more for a beautiful home.

When is an undermount sink not worth it?

If your project does not have the budget for stone, concrete, or butcher block countertops, you may be better off finding a low-profile drop-in sink.

For example, sleek stainless sink that lays nearly flush to the counter. If you’re looking for something like this, Allora USA offers the KH-2522-9-S-R0-DM, a modern sink that can fit this purpose perfectly.

Choosing a sink like this one can give residents an updated look with clean lines even if undermount sinks aren’t right for your build.

Speaking of stainless steel, it is hands-down the ideal kitchen sink material for multifamily builds. Let’s see why that is.

Why Choose Stainless Steel Undermount Sinks?

Stainless steel sinks have been the mainstay in the industry for decades. And they continue to be bestsellers for multifamily builders.

Let’s explore why stainless steel sinks are a smart investment.

Stainless Steel Is Affordable. If you’re looking for a way to keep costs low, stainless is the perfect solution.
It’s lightweight. Since it’s much lighter than most alternative materials, stainless steel is easier to transport around your build site and easier to install. Plus, it’s less expensive to ship and safe to stack, making shipping less of a hassle.
It’s durable. Stainless won’t chip, crack, or break if it’s dropped during shipping or installation. And even if it does get dented, your team can likely repair the damage and still use the basin.
It looks great in any kitchen design. Stainless steel is a versatile material that brings sophistication to any kitchen aesthetic. Plus, it develops a soft patina over time, so your residents will get years of reliable beauty that gets better with age.
It fits most color schemes. Uncoated stainless steel is a neutral material that blends well with almost any color palette. PVD coated stainless steel also adds versatility, coming in colors like black, gunmetal, and gold.
Stainless Steel is sustainable and recyclable. A growing number of residents and homeowners are concerned about how eco-friendly their home is. Stainless is efficient to produce and recyclable, making it a sustainable option that will appeal to eco-conscious residents.

Stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks give you the perfect blend of updated luxury and affordable versatility.

That makes them the clear choice if you’re looking for an easy way to increase your project’s profits and deliver the kind of kitchens residents will love.

So which stainless steel undermount sinks should you buy? And how do you get the best quality sinks in your budget?

Affordable Undermount Kitchen Sinks with Quality Manufacturing

If you’re looking for kitchen sinks and faucets that will deliver high-end looks without blowing your budget, Allora USA can help!

We specialize in supplying multifamily building projects, and provide professional support to keep your project running on time.

We offer guaranteed stock, so you know you can get what you need on time without worrying about supply chain issues.

To make things even easier, we provide standard and ADA options in one convenient place. Buying ADA fixtures from a reputable manufacturer means getting products that meet regulatory and quality standards.

Plus we offer:

Discounts for commercial projects.
Guaranteed pricing.
Product warranties.
Fast customer support
Free shipping to most areas in the US.
Delivery within 5 days or less anywhere in the US.
Unlimited phone and email support.

Ready to get started?

You can filter through the amazing variety of undermount stainless steel kitchen sink options on our site.

Or, send us your specs and we’ll put together a list of options that will fit your project. We can set you up for ongoing care for all your builds, so you can get great fixtures every time without wasting hours searching for what you need.

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