How to Install a Kitchen Sink: Framed and Frameless Tutorial

Installing a new kitchen sink is often an integral part of any do it yourself kitchen remodeling project. For the careful homeowner this is an excellent way to save money rather than calling a plumber to do the work. If you would like to tackle this job, follow this easy tutorial to get the job done.

Begin this project by determining what type of kitchen sink you have. Kitchen sinks will either have a frame or are frameless. Framed models have a metal piece that is attached to the inside of the hole for the kitchen sink while frameless varieties have only a single piece to install. Both are easy to install for a typical homeowner, but the installation instructions vary depending on the type you have.

You should begin this project by cutting a hole in your countertop. For molded countertops, the hole for the kitchen sink is often cut after the countertop is installed with a reciprocating saw. Ceramic tile countertops require you cut the hole and install the sink before you lay the tile. Regardless of the type of countertops your kitchen has, follow the manufacturer’s directions to cut the correctly sized hole using a reciprocating saw.

With the hole cut, you can install the kitchen sink. For a frameless unit, you will need either silicone caulk or plumbers putty to complete the installation. To begin, turn the kitchen sink upside down on the countertop. Run a bead of plumber’s putty or silicone caulk near the edge of the unit, underneath the lip. Be generous, you want at least a Ã?¼” bead to create a good seal.

Then you should set the kitchen sink into place. To put the unit in the hole in the countertop, it is easiest to hold it by the drain opening or openings. Touch the edge closest to you to the countertop and slowly lower the kitchen sink until the back edge hits the countertop. Press down to make sure that it is in place and to bond the silicone caulk or plumbers putty to the countertop. Wipe away any caulk or putty that escapes the outside edges of the sink and allow the area to cure before using the sink.

A framed kitchen sink is slightly more difficult to install. To begin, you must prepare the metal frame first. Using either silicone caulk or plumber’s putty, create a bead at least Ã?¼” thick underneath the lip of the flange. Next, place the sink upside down on top of the metal flange. The sink should not touch the caulk or putty you have applied. Instead, it should be held into place with some metal clips. Press down until you hear the click of the clips joining the frame to the sink.

Next you should carefully place the sink into the hole in the countertop using the same method as if you had a frameless unit. Wipe away any caulk or putty that is visible after installation.

The final step required when installing a framed unit is to install the mounting clips that come with your model to the underneath of the countertop. These 7mounting clips are installed every 6 to 8 inches depending on the manufacturer and should be able to be installed with a screwdriver. Rather than making holes in the bottom of your countertop, these mounting clips work by compressing the sink and the countertop together between the frame and the clips which snap into place and are secured by screws.

Installing your own kitchen sink is an easy way to say money while doing a kitchen remodel. To continue with this project by installing a faucet, take a look at this tutorial. Tips on how to install kitchen drains after the faucet is installed can be found here. When these steps are complete, you should have a completely functional new kitchen sink. Of course, if this seems like too large of a project for your skill set, call a plumber who can do the job for you.