Quick question on farmhouse sink install

[oldpops]

Hello again everyone! Just have a quick question on the sink cabinet for an undermount farmhouse sink install. The sink cabinet that was installed has the correct opening in front, and a 2x4 support frame (on each side) has been installed. The sink ends will sit on the 2x4 frames on each side of the cabinet. The way the countertop guy, who came and measured everything (made a template), said the sink will probably need to come up a 1/8 to a 1/4 inch (the 2x4 frames have leg levelers so this is no issue, but then the sink will not be resting on the front lip opening of the sink cabinet.

In this case, do I need more support across the front of the cabinet? I was going to put another piece of wood to strength the front edge/cross-piece of the sink cabinet to help support the sink. But if the sink is going to be lifted up above it - and it's above the front lip cross-piece - that now seems senseless. So, do you folks think I need to put in a front cross-piece support if the sink is resting on 2x4's on each side?

I'm an old guy and I don't know how to take pictures on my phone and put all the arrows and other stuff people do so I hope my description is enough to get some opinions.

Thanks in advance for all the help and advice!

 

[65ranchero]

Old pops, without pictures it's hard to see what's going on but... I think it would be wise to add correct size shims (plywood) to get it to the proper level and support it evenly all around.
Did the counter guy give you any suggestions on how to accomplish it?

 

[HotRod68Camaro]

What you describe is exactly how they were going to install mine.
I did not add an additional support across the front but i added a filler for appearance. The cabinet guys were just going to add a piece of trim but i wanted it smooth.

The sink is resting on it but we're talking 5/8in (guessing the thickness) cabinet material not a 2x4 supporting it across the front. I'm 5 years in and so far no problems.

Is it the right answer, i dont know. I'm just providing a data point for you.

 

[oldpops]

I'll try and attach a picture from HD of the cabinet. If you can see the picture (if not I apologize) it has the opening already cut out in the front for the sink to rest on and extend past the front of the cabinet. The cabinet face frame is 3/4 inch plywood so I was planning on beefing up that plywood with another piece of wood to help hold the weight of the sink. There are two doors and above them is the opening for the sink and the lip that holds the front of the sink (to rest on ).

Now however, it appears the bottom surface of our sink will actually be above the front lip by about an 1/8 in. As I mentioned, when I thought the sink was going to rest on the front lip (only 3/4' inch thick), I was going to put another piece of behind the face frame and the width of the cabinet for support. - Should I still try and put a cross-piece of wood? Is it needed with the 2x4's on each side? Problem is that I don't know how much to go above the current lip (1/8 or 1/4) until the countertop is in and the sink is placed. And once the sink is placed, because it's a undermount sink that sticks out past the front of the sink cabinet, there won't be much room to do anything later.

Thoughts?

 

[jar944]

Normally you scribe the sink opening to the sink, with the sink flush with the top of the cabinet. I'm guessing the opening is larger than the sink?

You only *need* support on the sides.

 

[oldpops]

Thanks. We scribed the opening to the size and depth given on the instructions exactly! My son was quite proud of himself - did it slowly with a pull saw and it's so good a cut, you can't tell it wasn't done by the cabinet factory! Then the countertop guys say the sink will need to come up a little. We have levelers on the legs of the 2x4 support frame (for just this kind of problem) so coming up an 1/8 to a 1/4 inch is no problem. Anyway, I was thinking now that the sink sides will be resting on the 2x4 supports, and not on the front lip, that's it's probably a waste of time to put another cross support there - since it won't be holding anything. Sounds like I was correct

 

[snickers muncher]

On mine the front of the sink and counter top extends past the cabinets about 1 1/4 or so. I have 2 2x6 running from from side to side to support the weight of the sink. Installed in 2017 and no problems. The majority of the sink's bottom is supported this way.

I put the sink upside down on the ground and then placed the cabinet upside down around it. Put the 2x6s on the bottom of the sink and pocket screwed them into the sides of the cabinet. I then put strips of plywood along the sides of the cabinets to act as cleats for extra support for the 2x6s. It's all hidden by the frame.

 

[Shiftless]

A cast iron sink full of water weighs quite a bit. Overkill on the framing is not a bad idea.

 

[jar944]

Thanks. We scribed the opening to the size and depth given on the instructions exactly! My son was quite proud of himself - did it slowly with a pull saw and it's so good a cut, you can't tell it wasn't done by the cabinet factory! Then the countertop guys say the sink will need to come up a little. We have levelers on the legs of the 2x4 support frame (for just this kind of problem) so coming up an 1/8 to a 1/4 inch is no problem. Anyway, I was thinking now that the sink sides will be resting on the 2x4 supports, and not on the front lip, that's it's probably a waste of time to put another cross support there - since it won't be holding anything. Sounds like I was correct

So is the sink lower than the top of the cabinet? It should have been in plane with the cabinet top at all 4 corners.


But support on the sides will be plenty.

 

[oldpops]

Yeah the instructions in the sink box said for undermount sinks they should be 1/8 below the top of the cabinets. The countertop guy comes in and say it should be above the top of the counter (I even tried calling the manufacturer but they were NO help). I have the 2x4'a along both sides and they have screw levelers. I guess once the sink is in it's final spot, I can put in some additional supports

 

[larry4406]

Yeah the instructions in the sink box said for undermount sinks they should be 1/8 below the top of the cabinets. The countertop guy comes in and say it should be above the top of the counter (I even tried calling the manufacturer but they were NO help). I have the 2x4'a along both sides and they have screw levelers. I guess once the sink is in it's final spot, I can put in some additional supports

I’ve only done 2-3 farmhouse sinks. PIA.

All of mine have been undermount and are flush with the top of the cabinet. Follow the sink directions and find a more competent countertop guy.

 

[cgrutt]

Someone posted a cool support system for undermount sink a couple months ago I'm sure it would work on a farm sink as well. I'll see if I can find one and post link.

ETA similar to this



Question though, if you raise sink by 1/8" or whatever doesn't that just switch the problem from countertop to the face of your cabinet where sink sits? In other words aren't you just creating a gap below the sink on top of cabinet framing? I would think vertical on sink plus the vertical on cabinet needs to put sink where it needs to sit on (or below?) countertop. If there's a gap something isn't right with cabinet dimensions, no?

 

[jar944]

Yeah the instructions in the sink box said for undermount sinks they should be 1/8 below the top of the cabinets. The countertop guy comes in and say it should be above the top of the counter (I even tried calling the manufacturer but they were NO help). I have the 2x4'a along both sides and they have screw levelers. I guess once the sink is in it's final spot, I can put in some additional supports

It should be dead nuts flush, unless your cabinets are out and 1/8" high is the high spot on the run.

 

[oldpops]

Someone posted a cool support system for undermount sink a couple months ago I'm sure it would work on a farm sink as well. I'll see if I can find one and post link.

ETA similar to this



Question though, if you raise sink by 1/8" or whatever doesn't that just switch the problem from countertop to the face of your cabinet where sink sits? In other words aren't you just creating a gap below the sink on top of cabinet framing? I would think vertical on sink plus the vertical on cabinet needs to put sink where it needs to sit on (or below?) countertop. If there's a gap something isn't right with cabinet dimensions, no?

I LOVE this support system - Please send the link if you find it

 

[cgrutt]

I LOVE this support system - Please send the link if you find it

This wasn't the one that I remembered just one that I found today. There are many different versions of this type if you Google "undermount sink support frame". Some have legs some attach to side of cabinet. Here is the one from picture I posted apparently available on Amazon.

Note I don't have any experience with this product or company.

Redirect Notice

Or here

https://a.co/d/eVFTbJb

 

[andyvh1959]

When I modified my 1973 cabinet to install the farmhouse apron sink this year I added 2x4 bracing on each side, doubled up to get 3" of support. Then I added a center stile onto the framing I moved down to support the front of the sink, which I set up after countertop was installed over the sink. Set it all up 1/4"below the flush height of the cabinet so I could shim as needed, then framed in the opening under the front of the sink.