Is there a problem with stainless sinks on tile countertops.?

Question

My kitchen has tile countertops on a concrete base. The sink is cast, with some hard (ceramic?) coating. I HATE the sink with a passion. I've chipped it badly in places & want to replace it.

The builders told me I couldn't have a stainless steel sink because I have the tile countertops.

WHY ? What are my alternatives ? Any good DIY links (I already have Michael Holigans web page & video for sink replacement).

Thanks.

To clarify - the concrete base is a 2 (?) inch thick slab of concrete, with tiles slightly pressed in to the concrete (no actual grout used - just the concrete in broad gaps between the tiles).

Answer 1

I can't imagine why not. Only problem I can see is if the tile is marble, do not use Plumbers Putty as a seal around the edges. It will stain the marble. I have installed many stainless sinks on tiled countertops.

Answer 2

The only problem I can see is fitting the new sink into the existing hole. You might have a problem if that is not an exact match and you need to cut a new hole or need a smaller hole.

You say you have tile on a concrete base. Do you mean concrete backer board? If so, that should not be a big problem but if you mean solid concrete then that could make fitting a new sink difficult.

Our previous house had a tile counter top and a stainless steel sink. It worked just fine.

Based on your follow up information, I can see why it would be a problem. You will need to find a sink with a cutout requirement that matches your existing cutout, otherwise making a new cutout can be difficult.

Answer 3

I had a tile countertop in my last house. With a stainless sink, and it worked just fine. It had a ring of caulking around it, under the edge, so it was easy to clean. Talk to the people at a major building supply company.

Answer 4

I'm not a builder but I can see no reason why two can't be used together.