Advice on construction of frameless sink cabinet (recessed sink)

[Jasmin]

Hi,

I am building a frameless sink cabinet for a recessed sink. It will have a fake front on top and a drawer on the bottom. However I am unsure about the best construction method. Here are three options. Any advice on the best or correct way would be appreciated.

1. Top panel with cutout for sink. Cutout is large enough for the whole sink and holding brackets. Not really an option for me because I would need a wider cabinet.
2. Top panel with cutout and rabbet that fits the sink perfectly so that the sink is flush with the top of the cabinet and the countertop can go on it. I am considering this and haven’t seen it.
3. No top panel but front stretcher that gets covered by the fake front. Probably the most common I have seen when I searched online.

 

[peter halle]

#3 would be my choice.  Assuming you are not talking about a farmhouse type sink, you will need something at the top front of the cabinet.  You could use a rail (maybe that is what you are referring to as a false front) installed in between the cabinet sides.

Obviously it would be best to have the dimensions exactly of your sink prior to building the cabinet and make sure that its needs, the countertop depth (front to back), the hardware mounting hardware for your sink, and the cabinet dimensions all marry together well.

Peter

 

[Packard]

In my opinion, front apron sinks (farmhouse sinks) are this generations’ bell bottom pants.

I think it will be out of style in the future and a curiosity.  If it offered some real advantage over a top mount or undermount sink, it might have some serious legs.  But as it is, its a fad (a fad fueled by Joanna Gaines of “Fixer-Upper” fame. 

As for construction, I would use narrow pieces of plywood, installed with pocket-hole joints.  If space is tight, those supports could be installed with the flat surface vertical—s that will work just as well.

If the sides are hidden, you can use Confirmat screws and through screw them into the pieces.  Confirmat joints are far stronger than pocket hole screw joints.

 

[tjbnwi]

I believe when you state “recessed sink” you mean an under mount sink.

If so;

Build the cabinet with the front stretcher in the vertical orientation, the counter top fabricator will install whatever clip system they use to mount the sink.

If it is a very heavy sink you may need to build a support platform for the sink also.

If you go with #2 be aware that the sink is not serviceable without removing the countertop or some destructive work to the cabinet.

Tom

 

[Jasmin]

Thanks everyone. I will go with option 3. And yes, I mean undermount sink.