You are probably wondering whether or not kitchen sink cabinets have a back. Look no further. We have researched all about kitchen sink cabinets and found answers to any questions you have.
Kitchen sink cabinets do not have a back. This is because it is made specifically for a sink. There has to be room for the necessary plumbing.
Continue reading to learn more about replacing the bottom of a sink cabinet, the significance of sink base cabinets, the standard size for a kitchen sink cabinet, and other important information.
All There Is To Know About Kitchen Sink Cabinets
Kitchen sink cabinets are essential for the kitchen. Who can call their kitchen a kitchen without a kitchen sink, right? The thing is, a kitchen sink cabinet is not like any other cabinet.
Because there needs to be space available for the plumbing that goes in the cabinet. You need to be able to gain access to that plumbing for installation and any repairs to the kitchen sink. Kitchen sink cabinets do not include drawers for the same reason.
Garbage disposals take up quite a bit of space in a kitchen sink base cabinet. This is another explanation as to why kitchen sink cabinets do not have a back.
There are standard kitchen sinks, and there are many different styles. The three types of kitchen sink cabinets that are used the most often are Drop-in, Farmhouse, and Undermount sinks.
Types of Sinks and Whether or Not the Cabinet Has a Base
Kitchen sinks vary in size, which impacts the cabinet size you will need to accommodate the sink you choose. The most popular kitchen sinks are either thirty inches or thirty-three inches wide. They often vary from about twenty-four inches to thirty-six inches in length, depending on the size of your kitchen.
Drop-in
A Drop-in sink is the most common type. Another name for a drop-in sink is a top mount sink. There is already a hole cut into the countertop for the sink to drop into for this type.
When it comes to drop-in sinks, the stabilization of it comes from the edges of the sink resting on the counter. You can have a single or double bowl. There is no back to a cabinet that has been made for a drop-in sink.
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Farmhouse
The farmhouse sink is also called an apron sink. These have specific features, such as the exposed front and a deep and wide sink. Because this type is only one big sink rather than being split in half, you can easily wash large pots and pans.
If you want to install a farmhouse sink in your kitchen, you will need a base cabinet that has been crafted for it. These require more support than a typical sink because they are wider and deeper than the average sink. Certain styles of farmhouse sinks can work with your existing cabinets by being retrofitted, but there is no back to a cabinet that has been built for a farmhouse sink regardless.
Undermount
Undermount sinks are installed from underneath the counter rather than the edges resting on top, as a drop-in sink does. It is called an undermount sink because you mount it from under the counter. One good thing about this type of sink is that nothing gets stuck in the edges of the sink.
This makes the countertops and sink easier to clean. Again, there is no back to a base cabinet made for an undermount sink.
Can you replace the bottom of a sink cabinet?
You can replace the bottom of a sink cabinet. The bottom of sink cabinets is usually made of particleboard or plywood; both can rot over time.
Typically the bottom of a sink cabinet needs replacing due to it getting wet repeatedly, which eventually leads to rot. If you have a leak under your sink, it will cause the bottom of the sink cabinet to get moldy. Particleboard swells up and molds faster than plywood.
If you replace particleboard with plywood for the bottom of a sink cabinet, you should treat the plywood to prevent it from rotting. You can do this with penetrating sealers, preservatives, or waterproofing.
How to Replace the Bottom of a Sink Cabinet
It is not always necessary to cut out the whole bottom when installing a new sink base. You can use a jigsaw to cut out the middle as long as it is not rotten all the way to the edges. In this case, you should cut a square about three inches from the edge all the way around.
Before you start taking out the bottom, you should first remove what you can from underneath the sink so that you have room to move around. You will need half-inch plywood since it does not rot as easily or quickly as particleboard.
Cut your plywood to the right size for the base of your sink. Be sure to cut slots so that the water pipes can go through. All you have to do next is seal all of the edges. You can coat the plywood in urethane to protect it.
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Next, place the new floor and attach it by installing drywall screws via a drill. After that, use a caulking gun to seal the edges. Caulk around the pipes, then replace the P-trap, garbage disposal, and anything else you removed to be able to get to the bottom of the sink cabinet.
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If you are more of a visual learner or the bottom of your sink cabinet needs replaced completely, check out the video below:
What is special about a sink base cabinet?
Base cabinets are sturdier than the cabinets that are attached above the counters. You can store your heavier kitchen items in them, such as your mixer or Dutch oven. Sink base cabinets are the most expensive to install because they are versatile and can hold more weight.
A sink base cabinet is crafted with the plan of having a sink installed in it. For it to work in such a way, there has to be space for the kitchen sink. This is why sink base cabinets have false drawer fronts because there is no room for drawers once all of the plumbing is where it needs to be.
Sink base cabinets do not have a back to them because of the water lines and plumbing. This is another reason sink base cabinets are unique. Disposals take up more space under the sink as well.
You can choose your countertops and the height or size of your cabinets, but you can not have a complete kitchen without a sink base cabinet.
There are a variety of styles to choose from when it comes to your sink base cabinet. First, you will need to decide which type of sink you wish to have in your kitchen. It is essential to choose the sink before picking out the cabinet to ensure they fit together correctly.
In most cases, the sink base cabinet matches the surrounding cabinetry. You can not tell the difference from the front of the sink base cabinet until you look underneath it.
What is the standard size for a kitchen sink cabinet?
It is essential to understand sizing options for your kitchen sink cabinet. You will want it to match the surrounding countertops and cabinets as closely as possible. It is necessary to consider the width, depth, and height of kitchen sink cabinets because the sink you choose must fit the way it is built to.
Standard Width
The standard size for a kitchen sink cabinet is thirty inches wide to thirty-six inches wide. If you have a single basin or bowl sink, thirty inches is sufficient. As for double basin or double bowl sinks and offset sinks, thirty-three to thirty-six inches is the standard.
Standard Height
The average height of a kitchen sink is three feet or thirty-six inches tall. How tall your kitchen sink depends on how tall your countertops are. This is a personal choice more than anything else if you are remodeling.
Sink base cabinets can not adjust their height as much as others because they need to be accessible for the sink to be installed. They have to be up to the standards required for the specific building codes too.
Standard Depth
The average depth of kitchen sink cabinets, not including the countertop, is twenty-four inches. Including the countertops, the standard depth is about twenty-six inches. If your cabinets were any deeper, it would be difficult for a person of average height to reach the back of them.
The minimum size of a cabinet meant for a sink that is thirty to thirty-two inches wide is a thirty-six-inch wide cabinet. You need to give two to three inches of space on both sides of the sink for mounting hardware, depending on which sink you decide to install.
Can you use any sink with IKEA cabinets?
Theoretically, you should be able to use any sink with IKEA cabinets as long as the dimensions match up. Your safest bet is to go with an IKEA sink, though. They are made to go together.
Conclusion
Kitchen sink cabinets do not have a back. There has to be open space in the back for the water pipes to fit. You can replace the bottom of the sink, and the size of your cabinet coincides with the size of your kitchen sink.
Before you go, check out the following links related to kitchen sink projects:
5 Ways To Waterproof Cabinets Under The Kitchen Sink
15 Awesome Under-Kitchen-Sink Storage Ideas
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