Can I fit an undermounted sink to my kitchen worktop?

The most common type of sink is the inset or overmount sink, where a hole is cut in a worktop and the lip of the sink sits on top. Inset sinks can be fitted to any type of worktop; cut the correct sized hole, drop the sink in, seal the joint and fix it in place using the correct fixing brackets and screws.

Undermounted sinks, as the name suggests, sit underneath the worktop and can only be fitted successfully to a completely solid worktop such as Minerva, Wood, Granite etc. The worktops usually have grooves fitted to assist drainage.  Drainer grooves would not work with a laminate worktop as laminate is only 1mm thick or less; not deep enough to take a drainer groove. 

Maia worktops, although chipboard based, are available with the option of undermounted sinks as the manufacturer creates the undermounted sink modules using a solid Maia 10mm thick sheet in the centre of the worktop which allows drainer grooves and the undermounted sink to be fitted.

More than once we have received phone calls from people asking for our advice, they want to know how to mend their laminate worktop where an unknowledgeable fitter has fitted either an undermounted sink or a Belfast sink. We had to explain that this should never have been done and is un-mendable; the worktop would need to be replaced using a solid surface worktop.