Sink choices divide households

Q This is another one of those can-you-help-my-relationship plumbing questions. My husband and I are in a serious debate about our new kitchen sink. We're remodeling the kitchen and I would like a "single-bowl, under-mount" sink. He wants the more traditional "double-bowl, top-mount" sink. I know there is no right or wrong here, but can you help us reach a decision? We both agree to follow your advice.

A There is a kitchen sink that's a cross between the single- and double-bowl styles. It's called a low-threshold or "smart-divide" kitchen sink. If you wash a lot of pots and pans and need extra room, the divider between the bowls is much lower than in a normal kitchen sink. This allows large pots and pans to fit easily into the sink, yet you still get the functionality of a double-bowl sink.

As far as the "under- vs. top-mount" sink, that is usually decided by the type of countertop you choose. If you're planning a laminate or tile counter, the top-mount is usually the industry standard. If you plan on a counter like granite, then under-mount sinks are the popular trend.

Q My husband and I are in a disagreement over our kitchen sink. We recently moved into a new house with granite kitchen counters and a drop-in stainless-steel sink. We've been here for almost a year, and I would rather have an under-mount sink with no rim. He told me to forget about it, because we can't change styles. Is this really true? Is it possible to change from a top-mount sink to an under-mount sink?

A It's usually possible to do whatever you want when it comes to home improvement, but you have to consider if the result will be worth the cost of the project. In your case, this can be an expensive venture with not a lot of payback.

You have a top-mounted kitchen sink. Basically, that's a hole cut into the existing countertop, then you simply drop in the sink. An under-mount sink is usually installed before the counter is put into place. Then the counter is placed on top of the sink and locks the sink into place.

The advantage of the drop-in style is that the sink can be removed fairly easily, and replaced over the existing countertop with a new drop-in style cast-iron sink that can be any color and configuration that you like.

Master plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of "Ed Del Grande's House Call," the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate.