how to fit belfast sink

thehairybuilder

hi ,
in a kitchen being fitted there is a belfast sink sitting on a specially made unit constructed mainly of 45x95mm whitewood . Now the fitter says that the worktops are no use as the way it is the sink lip is sitting below level of worktop and as they`re chipboard with laminate they will expand when they get wet . He recommends some expensive type of worktop which will cost an extra £2500!!!

Bearing in mind that it is irrellevant to us whether or not sink is above or below worktops surely he should simply add another 1 or 2 45x95mm pieces of whitewood to his purpose made base therefore raising sink above level of worktops which could then be sealed with silicone around edges - as I`d originally anticipated.

Is this too simple and am I missing something ? I think fitter is afer a fast buck with trying to get new expensive worktops specified . . . . .

plumb1_2

thehairybuilder wrote:

hi ,
in a kitchen being fitted there is a belfast sink sitting on a specially made unit constructed mainly of 45x95mm whitewood . Now the fitter says that the worktops are no use as the way it is the sink lip is sitting below level of worktop and as they`re chipboard with laminate they will expand when they get wet . He recommends some expensive type of worktop which will cost an extra £2500!!!

Bearing in mind that it is irrellevant to us whether or not sink is above or below worktops surely he should simply add another 1 or 2 45x95mm pieces of whitewood to his purpose made base therefore raising sink above level of worktops which could then be sealed with silicone around edges - as I`d originally anticipated.

Is this too simple and am I missing something ? I think fitter is afer a fast buck with trying to get new expensive worktops specified . . . . .

He is correct to a certain extent, the belfast sink should be fitted below the leval of the underside of the worktops, and that is why you need expensive hardwood worktops(teak etc), as the surfaces/edges will be prone to water damage. And normal chipboard laminated worktops will not stand the test of time.
You could have the sink elevated above the tops and sealed with silcone, but not the correct way to do it, especialy if it is a expensive kitchen.

thehairybuilder

Cheers plumb1
decided to go with the current chipboard worktops but still going to fit sink below level of tops . We`ll seal ends of worktops with yacht varnish and stick on edging same colour as tops . Worst case scenario if tops get wet and expand we`re going to cut out 1200mm width of chipboard top and replace that bit with wooden worktops

ka7e

On a practical level -a belfast sink is so deep, there is less chance of work surfaces coming into contact with much water. Most likely that water will be present from dishes draining which can be minimised by using a drainer on a tray.(Argos £14.99) Even better if there is a dishwasher on site!

Skintmama

We have used chipboard for this as the top was to be tiled. DH made sure to varnish under the chipboard too so there is no seepage. No problem after five years. Don't know about after that as we moved.

gromituk

Do you have to have a Belfast sink? These are so impractical, as you are discovering, and have no give so it's very easy to break things in them. They will go out of fashion just like the white ones, and then your kitchen will look so dated. Nobody's thought of anything to beat a good old stainless steel sink, so these will come back again and again. I predict that "cooking theatres" will also disappear when people realise they don't need 15 gas rings and there's no space left in the kitchen when they have one!