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The KRAUS KGD-54WHITE can be installed as a drop-in or an undermount sink, but the two jobs use different opening and mounting plans. Its 33 × 22-inch exterior is not a universal replacement cut-out. It requires a minimum 36-inch cabinet, and its 9-inch bowl depth should not be mistaken for its 9 5/8-inch overall exterior height.
Choose the white single-bowl version when the cabinet, countertop and faucet layout work together. The main decision is whether your existing countertop can support the chosen mounting method—not simply whether you prefer an exposed rim.
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Keep these dimensions on the installer’s worksheet
| Check | KGD-54WHITE reference | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior plan dimensions | 33 × 22 inches | Defines the sink’s outer footprint, not the finished opening |
| Bowl | 29 × 16 3/8 inches; 9 inches deep | Describes usable basin size |
| Exterior height | 9 5/8 inches | Include this before adding drain hardware below |
| Minimum cabinet | 36 inches left to right; specification also lists 24 inches front to back | Check the real cabinet structure and installation access |
| Sink deck holes | One pre-drilled hole, plus four drill-guide positions | Additional positions are not five ready-open holes |
The KGD-54 specification calls the bowl depth 9 inches, while its drawing and the installation manual show 9 5/8 inches overall. These describe different measurements, not two interchangeable promises. An installer reserving only 9 inches below the top reference may leave less clearance than intended.
Measure the actual cabinet opening, braces, plumbing and space for the faucet attachments. A nominal 36-inch cabinet is the manufacturer’s starting requirement; it does not tell you where your cabinet maker put the rails or whether an existing disposal will clear them.
Drop-in: check the old opening and rim overlap
For a replacement in an existing counter, the drop-in path can preserve an exposed rim. KRAUS provides a specific drop-in template. The installer should compare that template with the existing opening, including corner shapes and the material left around it.
Two sinks sold as 33 × 22 inches can have different bowls, rims, clip positions and corner radii. If the old opening is too large, buying another sink with the same advertised width does not restore missing countertop. If it is too small, confirm that enlargement will leave enough supporting material and room for the clips.
Drop-in installation is the relevant path to investigate for a laminate countertop. The fact that the sink itself supports undermount installation is not approval to leave a laminate core exposed around a wet opening. Have the countertop supplier approve the material and edge treatment for any undermount proposal.
Undermount: the countertop edge becomes part of the job
The undermount route uses the undermount template and a mounting arrangement beneath the counter. The manual treats it as a separate installation process. The fabricator must agree on the exposed countertop edge, opening, support and access to the plumbing before cutting.
Do not use the 29 × 16 3/8-inch bowl dimensions as a substitute for that template. Nor should a drop-in opening automatically become an undermount opening later. The visible edge and the way the assembly is secured change with the method.
For the general material and replacement trade-off, see undermount versus drop-in sinks. For the actual size check, use the cabinet measurement guide alongside the KGD-54 documents.
Plan the faucet and accessories as a complete layout
The deck has one factory-open faucet hole and four additional guide positions. A guide position is a location for a planned modification; it is not an already-open hole waiting for a soap dispenser.
Before any drilling, put the selected faucet, soap dispenser and other deck fittings on the layout. Check the faucet base or escutcheon, handle travel, backsplash clearance and the space needed for mounting nuts below. In an undermount installation, the countertop and sink-deck arrangement also needs to accommodate the fittings together.
Do not assume that a faucet from an old three-hole sink can simply be transferred, or open every guide position to keep options open. The countertop installer should confirm the selected arrangement against the actual sink, fittings and current manufacturer instructions. Extra holes are a permanent choice.
Package details worth checking before installation day
The selected white single-bowl retail package lists a drain with strainer, silicone mitt and trivet, mounting hardware and cut-out template. A bottom grid is not listed as part of that package. Do not budget on the assumption that every KRAUS sink includes one.
There is a documentation discrepancy for the drain replacement reference: the KGD-54 specification lists ST-2, while the multi-model installation manual’s KGD-54 accessory list names ST-1G. The product page also contains an “x2” strainer line despite describing a single bowl. We therefore do not treat those lines as a verified replacement-part order or a promise of two strainers. Use the actual packing list and have KRAUS confirm the part number before ordering a separate replacement.
This discrepancy does not change the independently matching exterior, bowl and cabinet measurements. It does mean a plumber should verify the delivered drain components before scheduling final hook-up. If you are fitting a disposal, its approved flange, mounting range and cabinet space need their own check.
Buying decision
Choose the KGD-54WHITE if you want a white quartz-composite single bowl and have an approved plan for one of its two mounting methods. The most useful flexibility is choosing the appropriate installation at the planning stage.
Pause the order if your cabinet is below the stated requirement, the existing opening cannot be compared with the correct template, or your faucet layout remains unresolved. For white composite care, avoid interpreting heat resistance as permission to place a pan straight from the stove in the basin; KRAUS recommends a protective trivet for extremely hot items.
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Research scope
Reviewed September 21, 2026: KRAUS KGD-54 specification, Forteza KGD/KGU installation manual, KGD-54WHITE product page and the selected US white single-bowl listing. This is a document-based fit assessment, not a physical installation or a durability test. Use the delivered sink and current template for final fabrication.
Before choosing granite composite, plan where a stove-hot pan will rest before washing. KRAUS care guidance limits direct hot-cookware contact; a bottom grid alone does not establish heat suitability.