Replacing a sink - Piglet John's wisdom needed.....

[Fabulouslyfatatfifty]

I am replacing my kitchen sink and tap. Is it as simple as buying a sink that says it is suitable for a 60cm cupboard? Looks like for like.

1.5 bowl sink being replaced with 1.5 bowl sink. Overall top measurements are slightly bigger on new one.

Do I need to measure the existing hole accurately and compare it to anything or not?

are you sure both sinks will fit in a 600mm cabinet?

You can probably enlarge the hole in a worktop to fit a slightly bigger sink. The new sink will come with a cutting template, either on a large sheet of paper, or printed on the cardboard packaging. You will be able to cut the worktop with a jigsaw, the cut will not be very neat or straight, but it will be hidden when the new sink goes on top. It will be slow and dusty to cut, and the blades will go blunt so get several.

if it's an undermount sink you will probably not be able to do it.

You have to measure that the old hole is smaller (or no larger) in all dimensions than the new one, or gaps may show,

Thanks piglet John I will measure the hole when I get home, the sink is in a 60cm cabinet and the new one says suitable for that on another site.

Just an ordinary ceramic sink with drainer here. Actually I have just read the questions and it doesn’t look like it will be suitable as the draining board is over the top of a built in dishwasher.

I will be getting my plumber in to swap it but need to make sure I buy the right thing!

Now I am really confused because this has the same model number and says nothing about it not being suitable for over the top of an integrated dishwasher and mentions a 60cm cabinet - the other one says 100cm.

I have measured and the one I linked to will fit apart from the advice on it needing a cut out/not suitable for over a dishwasher.

Thing is my current hole carries on under the dishwasher (I just felt under the sink).

Not sure if I am missing the point of something as I downloaded the manufacturer spec sheet and it seems ok - I think I will email them.

I assume from what you have written you are trying to replace an inset sink which put simply is a sink and often drainer too which just pops into a hole cut into the work surface. On the point of the cabinet size, they are generally designed to fit entirely within a 100cm cabinet. However on most sinks the bowl itself will fit into a 60cm (or sometimes less size cabinet) and the drainer area will just sail over adjacent units or appliances.

To cover themselves, some manufacturers say their sinks are not suitable to fit over an appliance but this usually means a free standing appliance as the drainer area would be unsupported. In reality many sinks are fitted this way and the suitability and integrity of the finish in fitting this way depends more on the amount of sail over, the design and the worktop than the actual design of the sink so I wouldn't be too concerned, especially if it's over an integrated appliance where there is adequate support.

As for the size, alas there is no standard opening but if the overall size is larger than the hole then it should go in but take care if there are large radius's on the sink corners as they can catch you out on measurements. If the cut out hole is too small, then as Piglet John says, you will just have to modify the cut out with a jig saw or router.

Just noticed your links to your sink. You will have no problem fitting that sink with the drainer over an integrated dishwasher if it's fitted correctly.

Thank you that is really helpful. I was worried as obviously can’t measure the current hole as the sink is there.

My plumber will be swapping it for me, he should do a good job.

I will go to my local independent builders merchant to see if they can get it in for me as if there are any problems they will sort them out.