Unlike your kitchen sink, which takes a lot of abuse every day and thus needs to be very durable, your bathroom sink only needs to be tough enough for hot tap water and big enough so you can comfortably wash your hands.
Choosing your bathroom sink is more than just a matter of practicality; it’s also about style. To help you pick the perfect sink for your bathroom renovation, here are some pluses and minuses of the most common types of bathroom sinks:
Pedestal sinks are great for those who want a good mix between practicality and aesthetics. This type of sink has two parts: the actual sink mounted to the wall and the pedestal that supports it. If you have limited space and don’t need additional storage in your bathroom, this sink is for you. Just remember that all wall-mounted sinks should be mounted on walls with blocking installed.
Wall-mount sinks are mounted to the wall with the plumbing underneath exposed or slightly covered. Since they free up some floor space, they are great for those who need an accessible bathroom. Like the pedestal sink, wall-mount sinks are perfect for small bathrooms, but this comes at the expense of additional storage.
An integral sink is a sink and counter rolled into one piece. It’s pretty simple to install, and it doesn’t trap hair and debris like other types of sinks. The downside is that you will have to replace both your counter and sink at the same time, and your customisation choices are limited.
As opposed to the drop-in sink, an under-mount sink is attached from below the counter. This means that they look much more refined compared to drop-in sinks, but you have to make sure that your countertop is made of a waterproof material like granite or marble. Undermount sinks also can’t be retrofitted to an existing vanity without removing the vanity top.
A vessel sink is a very popular choice for those who want a gorgeous vanity. Topnotch vessel sinks actually look like works of art because they can be sculpted from all sorts of materials, including stone, marble, glass, clay, and vitreous china. A bit of a warning, though: vessel sinks provide much added height to your vanity, so it has to sit above a lower vanity than usual, and your fixtures will also need to be taller if fitted on the counter, or they will have to be mounted on the wall. Also, really high-quality decorative vessel sinks can have price tags that read a couple of thousand dollars!
A console sink is a bit of a mix between the various types of sinks. They can either be wall-mounted or freestanding and with or without storage space. They are supported by legs that can be made from steel or a material similar to the sink. Like the wall-mounted sink, a console sink is also accessible for someone in a wheelchair, but it can be too big for limited spaces.
To get on with your bathroom sink makeover, get quotes from plumbers and bathroom renovators now!