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If you were to ask the
average person in the countertop industry to undermount a stainless
steel sink in a
high pressure
laminate,Butcher Block or tile countertop they often
answer,
This response has been
repeated thousands of times over the years.
Currently throughout North
America, consumers are asking their plumbers, countertop suppliers
and kitchen
and bath dealers daily if
they can undermount their stainless steel sinks in laminate,or tile
countertops.
The answer remains the
same,
Many of these industry
people are still saying
We at Counter-Seal Corp.
answer the question differently,
Frequently Asked
Questions:
Q:
Why was the Counter-Seal system invented?
A:
To fill the
consumer and industry need to undermount stainless steel sinks in
high pressure
laminate, or
tile countertops.
Q:
What is the Counter-Seal system?
A:
The
Counter-Seal system is a functional, decorative seal system that
protects substrate materials from liquids, enabling stainless steel
sinks to be undermounted in common countertops.
Q:
Who is Counter-Seal Corp.?
A:
Counter-Seal
Corp. is the patent owner and manufacturer of the
Counter-Seal® product and sink undermounting
system.
Q:
Why does Counter-Seal Corp. feature stainless steel
sinks?
A:
Years ago,
consumers were attracted to, and in many cases chose, colored
kitchen sinks of various
compositions. Over time, numerous users of these sinks
became dissatisfied and frustrated with the
product as it did not lend itself to easy
cleanup and was susceptible to irreparable
damage. Consequently, stainless steel is the preferred
material for lifetime use.
Q:
Why are consumers asking for undermount sinks?
A:
For many
reasons. Firstly, they have now been exposed to the concept
by seeing sinks undermounted in advertisements,
showrooms, commercial installations, or
through friends, neighbors, etc. Secondly, and probably more
importantly, many people are tired of trying to clean
underneath the flange of traditional drop-in sinks. As they
become aware of the hygienic differences and the ease
of cleaning, most people would prefer to
have their sink installed under the
countertop surface.
Q:
What are Counter-Seal rings made of?
A: Counter-Seal rings
are made from solid surface materials.
Q:
Why Solid Surfaces?
A: Solid surface
materials are impervious to water, durable, machineable, and can be
also used for decorative countertop edging.
Q:
Why do they need the Counter-Seal system – why not use granite or
solid surface countertops?
A: Laminate and tile
are reasonably price and readily available in a wide range of
colors. Without the Counter- Seal system
you could not have an undermount
sink at an affordable price.
Q:
How affordable is the Counter-Seal system?
A:
Laminate or
tile countertops with the Counter-Seal undermount system are much
more affordable than granite or solid
surface countertops.
Q:
How does the Counter-Seal system and sinks compare in cost to
regular drop‑in sinks and/or to the undermounting of
sinks in solid surface?
A:
When you
identify the costs currently being charged to cut the hole and
mount a regular drop-in sink – and in the case of
graniteand solid surface, the costs
charged for preparing the cut‑out and undermounting the sink – the
costs are similar to the cost of the Counter-Seal
system.
Q:
What keeps the sink from falling off or coming
loose?
A: We have an
engineered system utilizing threaded connectors that are inserted
into the underside of the substrate and a
patentedbolt and clamp system that
seats the sink to the gasketed underside of the Counter-Seal
ring. In addition, a generous amount of sanitary
silicone (mildew resistant) is also applied to the topside of the
sink flange.
Q:
What keeps the countertop substrate dry?
A: The sink area is
sealed using the coordinated Counter-Seal ring, which is inserted
into the countertop substrate using the
Counter-Seal Corp. supplied
two-part, epoxy adhesive. The epoxy adhesive is applied
between the Counter‑Seal ring and the substrate, as
well as the topside of the ring and the underside of the
laminate. The Counter- Seal ring and epoxy
adhesive are impervious to water.
Q:
Does the Counter-Seal system work with all sinks currently being
manufactured?
A:
No.
Please refer to Counter-Seal Corp.’s collection sink line for
a suitable sink style.
Q:
Can Counter-Seal rings be retrofitted in existing
countertops?
A: No.
Counter-Seal rings need to be inserted in new countertops before
they are installed.
Q:
Does the
Counter-Seal system work with post-form/coved
countertops?
A:
Yes.
Counter-Seal rings can be inserted by Counter-Seal Certified
Fabricators after the countertop blank has been
manufactured. Counter-Seal Corp. offers two undermount
sink models (CS11‑H1 and CS12R‑H1) that are ideal for
this application.
Q:
Are Counter-Seal rings only compatable with
a certain high presser laminate brand or type?
A :
No Counter-Seal rings can be used with
all post forming grade and with general purpose grade
laminates.
Including
Arborite®®Formica® Nevamar® Pionite®
and
WilsonArt® Laminates.
Q:
Do countertop fabricators have to be Counter-Seal
certified?
A:
Yes and
no.
Yes, for access to
Counter-Seal Corp.’s complete product line.
No, if using
Counter-Seal Corp.’s line of do-it-yourself
products.
Q:
How does the Counter-Seal system work with tile?
A:
Counter-Seal
rings are available in custom heights up to 1½". The
Counter-Seal ring is inserted flush to the bottom side
of the countertop substrate, protruding higher than the
top surface. The tile then abuts to the Counter-Seal
ring.
Q:
Where are Counter-Seal products available?
A:
Throughout
North America. Counter-Seal products are purchased by kitchen
and bath dealers, countertop fabricators and skilled
do- it- yourself consumers.
Q:
When was the Counter-Seal system invented?
A: In 1994.
First patents were issued in 1996.
Q: When
were Counter-Seal products made available to the countertop
industry?
A:
Manufacturing
and limited distribution commenced in the fall of 1998.
Today, the product line has matured and is now readily accessible
through Counter-Seal Corp. and its affiliates anywhere in North
America.
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