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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 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.
Most 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 sinkinstalled under the
countertop surface.
Q:
Why is the
Counter-Seal® system superior to other
undermounting systems?
A:
Unlike other
systems the counter-Seal® undermount system allows
easy transportation of the counter top at time of installation. The
sink can be mounted after the counter top is
installed.
In
addition in the event of a sink failure or a counter top issue. or
if you decide you want a new counter top the sink with the
Counter-Seal ® it is removable and
reusable.
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, router friendly, and
can be 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 priced and readily available in a wide range of
colors. Without the Counter-Seal system, you
could not
have an undermount sink in laminate or tile 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 granite
and 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 using threaded connectors that are inserted into
the underside of the substrate and a patented
bolt and
clamp system that seats the sink to the 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 Counter-Seal®ring, which is inserted into
the countertop substrate using the 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 compatible with
a certain high pressure laminate brand or type?
A :
No Counter-Seal®rings can be used with all
post form 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:
Counter-Seal® products are purchased by
kitchen and bath dealers, countertop
fabricators, and skilled do-it-yourself consumers
throughout North
America.
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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