Top mount will have a "lip" at the top edge of the sink. Undermount will have a smooth transition between the countertop and sink. So for top mount you may get some water ponding between the sink lip and the backsplash/wall when water splashes over the top of the sink.

Stainless steel or granite depends on your taste and budget. Granite of course more $$. And you may find it hard to find an installer to undermount a granite sink, because granite is much heavier... though I believe it can be done.

depends on which look you like and price point. both got cheap and got expensive. some branded stainless steel can be twice as expensive as the same branded granite.

for me, in my experience, SS seems to have more water spotting. i have no experience with composite granite but from what I see in test and video, water seems to run off much better than SS

undermount of course looks better and cleaner. undermount sinks looks great when it doesnt have a ledge in the middle or at the side (like those double bowl sinks). If you want double bowl, get two undermount sinks. its pretty much about the final look. undermount will be more difficult to change out depending on how it was installed earlier. installation is very crucial in undermount sinks.

I bought a Blanco composite granite. Gonna top mount it.
I dunno what to recommend you. Just too many to choose from and different price point

I was told top mount usually for wet kitchen and under mount for dry kitchen ?

Top mount - you can just place the sink on top of solid surface or any counter top.

Undermount - Sink is placed between countertop and cabinet carcase. If tiled countertop, sink is placed only after countertop construction is completed and dried, before tiling over sink and countertop.

This will require stronger support for the sink with tiled countertop as compared to solid surface/countertop with cabinet carcass because the cabinet carcass supports the sink directly.

Pros for top mount :

1. When you want to change sink, just undo the silicon etc and remove sink without hacking the countertop & cabinet.

Cons:

1. Not as neat looking compared to under mount if you are looking at aesthetics.

Pros for undermount:

1. seamless joint look with countertop as it sort of "flush" in line

Cons:

1. Changing sink means have to hack everything.

If getting SS, make sure the grade is 304 and sink thickness must be 0.8mm and above.

For top mount sink replacement, yes have to find back same size. Unless you want to make a bigger hole in the countertop.

For undermount sink replacement, need to hack everything and rebuild the countertop from scratch.

Granite, Blanco is quite well known and I know this brand only because frankly I have never used granite sinks before as with granite sinks, need to take extra care. They can crack if you accidentally bang or use really heavy item on it.

SS sinks, you won't go wrong with a few familiar brands like Sorento, Teka, kohler, klaus, franke to name. But be warned, kohler, klaus are pricey brands but reviews have rated them as really durable, and good quality. Need to order them from Amazon. Or get the equivalent of it from TaoBao.

For Sorento, Teka brands you can go and check them out. If you are in KL, you can look for the resident seller, Zheilwane. He has good feedback and has a actual shop you can go to.

if your countertop is resting on a piece of rough top then its not a problem - see the video
this way you can still remove and replace the sink in the future



if your countertop is concrete with tiles on top, I dont think you want to put an undermount sink cause it will look ugly with the thickness of the concrete base and tile showing - usually for concrete counters, you will use top mount sinks, correct me if I am wrong.

I am one that is doing concrete with tiles and pair with blanco sink. Don't know the outcome yet. Work in progress. Hopefully everything turns out great !

Btw, what faucet u'll be installing?

Bro I PM you the pic ok?

the one in the picture is rock grey and it is actually flush mounted, not top mount, maybe thats why you change your vote

which color did you buy for your pleon 9?

I bought from taobao. I'll paste link if u are interested to know.

flush mounted is like this - the edge of the sink is flush with your countertop



if you are undermounting, the next question you need to decide is the amount of reveal 
more things for you to headache

http://detail.m.tmall.com/item.htm?id=3723...&id=37239601438

http://detail.m.tmall.com/item.htm?id=3725...&id=37255472494

Are you able to open ?

Try open the links in desktop. You will see more details. The descriptions are detailed enough to answer your questions

U just have to take note on the size of your sink hole. Standard is 35mm for pre-drilled sink hole to install the tap. If you install on table top, sizes may vary.

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=37239601438

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=37255472494

try again

Share with you a couple of examples showing undermount sinks on concrete support, wood support before laying tiles and surface top in either solid surface/granite or quartz material. Last pic is with tiled countertop and undermount granite sink. The thickness between tile/top and sink depends on cement or silicone applied

[attachmentid=4075498][attachmentid=4075499][attachmentid=4075500]

This one hard to say?

Both my sink and faucet are from felice.

Sink is seems solid for a SS sink as it feels a little heavy and the bottom part have rubber pad if I remember right? Need to check next time

This is what my sink looks like in its sheet covering before I undermounted my sink.

As for why I bought the sink and faucet, it just happens they met my budget, has S304 grade, 1.0mm thickness, the size and depth.

So my advice is, go and check out the sinks and faucets.  Feel them at least before looking at price, specs and your budget. You will be using it daily so it's not about choosing the cheapest or value for money as you have to be comfortable with the sink and quality besides the size you need.