To choose a bathroom sink, you need to familiarize yourself with its classification. Distinguish sinks by the method of installation, shape, materials, sizes and other parameters..
Classification of sinks by type of installation
There are four main options:
Suspended
This is the most common type. Brackets are attached to the wall, onto which the sink bowl is fixed. A pedestal can be installed under the bowl. The sink can also be secured with consoles.
Embedded
This type of sink will help to organize additional storage space for the necessary things, and will reliably hide the wiring. The bowl of the sink cuts into the countertop of the cabinet, table or console. Moreover, there can be two ways to cut – the edges of the bowl are flush with the table top or with the sides, when the bowl protrudes slightly.
The built-in has a number of advantages over other options for attaching the sink bowl:
- the possibility of unusual interior solutions, non-standard design;
- a simple method of installation and fastening, and the cabinet for installation can be either purchased or made by hand;
- organization of additional storage space, more rational use of space;
- the price of mortise models is lower than similar invoices.
Pedestal (“tulip”)
Installation is carried out on the “leg” where the eyeliner is hidden. The “leg” itself can be half open – from the side facing the wall, and in this case it is already a half-pedestal.
Bowls
Recently, bowl sinks have become popular, which can have various shapes, from a ball to a cube. They are mounted on the countertop.
Classification of shells by material
The choice of bathroom sink material is very wide. These are not only the usual porcelain and faience, but also rare, original options like wood or glass. Of course, the quality of materials directly affects the operational properties of the sink, so we will consider them in more detail..
Faience, porcelain, ceramics
The most common shell materials. They are distinguished by their low price, long service life, ease of maintenance, and environmental friendliness. A rather significant drawback of faience is porosity, therefore, during the manufacture of sinks, they are glazed so that dirt does not clog into the pores, which is almost impossible to wash. Porcelain sinks lack this drawback, but they have a higher price. Both porcelain, earthenware and ceramic sinks are heavy and at the same time rather fragile, which requires reinforced fastening and careful handling..
Fake diamond
In terms of its qualities, a sink made of artificial stone surpasses analogues made of natural material. Natural stone is quite fragile and very heavy, moreover, products from it have to be made by hand, which makes them expensive.
Artificial stone consists of polymer and natural material filling it. The addition of pigments allows almost any color to be obtained. The production of shells is carried out by injection and molding, which makes the end product cheaper. Such sinks are much lighter than products made from natural stone, much stronger, easier to care for, they are not afraid of temperature extremes and the action of aggressive chemicals.
Advantages of artificial stone sinks:
- The price is much lower than that of natural counterparts, while outwardly they are almost indistinguishable.
- The surface of the sink is perfectly flat, which is very difficult to achieve when using natural stone.
- The low porosity helps the sink stay clean for a long time and makes it easy to clean. The porosity of natural stone is much higher, which means that the sink from it will have to be thoroughly washed almost every day..
- Artificial stone is a hygienic material that does not retain moisture.
- If a chip forms on the sink, it can be masked with special means..
- A sink made of artificial stone will not lose its performance and appearance for a very long time, several decades.
Glass
Of all types of bathroom sinks, this one is the most unusual and even causes some concern. Glass is a fragile material that shatters into sharp fragments, so at first glance it seems rather unsuitable for use in the bathroom.
But in fact, for the manufacture of glass sinks, tempered glass of increased thickness (at least 15 mm) is used in a special way. In addition, during the production of such glass, additives are added to it that increase the mechanical strength. Such a sink is not afraid of accidental blows and can serve for decades. Glass models are usually tabletop rather than wall-mounted.
The main advantages of glass sinks:
- Resistance to mechanical stress is not lower than that of standard earthenware models, and the appearance is much more attractive.
- Are not afraid of temperature changes.
- Due to transparency, they do not clutter up the bathroom space, as if “dissolving” in him.
- Even a large washbasin seems to be much smaller than its actual size due to the properties of glass.
- Appearance does not change when exposed to harsh chemicals or cleaning products.
- Safe to use, as the outer edges of the sink are sanded, and if the sink breaks, small and non-sharp fragments are formed.
- Glass sinks are lightweight for easy installation.
Glass also has disadvantages. Glass is a soiled material; the sink will have to be constantly washed and cleaned. In addition, cleaning agents will have to be chosen very carefully: the presence of abrasives in them can ruin the appearance of the sink..
Wood
Another unusual material for bathroom sinks is wood. The wooden sink looks really very unusual, and is able to turn an ordinary bathroom into a masterpiece of design art.
Wooden sinks are especially suitable for eco-style, as well as some other interior trends. Its operational advantages are not lower than those of earthenware: the tree is treated in a special way so that it does not absorb water and dirt. However, wooden sinks have a significant disadvantage: they are very expensive..
Metal
While metal sinks have long been familiar in kitchens, in bathrooms they are still exotic. They are rarely installed; metal sinks are suitable mainly for modern styles, such as high-tech or minimalism. If copper is used as metal, the sink can be used in loft, country, and some other bathroom designs, but it is much more expensive than stainless steel..
Caring for a metal sink is simple, the main thing is not to scratch it, do not use abrasives and wire scouring pads, and be sure to wipe it after use, otherwise stains remain.
Marble
This is a very beautiful and durable material that requires careful handling. The marble sink looks luxurious and is suitable for classic interiors, as well as interiors in the Rococo and Baroque styles. There are two main disadvantages: dirt quickly accumulates in the pores of marble, and it deteriorates from aggressive detergents. It is also an expensive option..
Classification of shells by shape
When choosing a sink for a bathroom, its shape is of great importance. In addition to the traditional rectangular bowls with rounded edges, there is a wide variety of options to suit all tastes. Sinks are:
- rectangular;
- square;
- round;
- oval;
- corner;
- double;
- asymmetrical.
Regardless of the shape of the sink, its edges are usually rounded for safety in use and for ease of maintenance. The classic rectangular sink is the most affordable and common option. It will be appropriate both in a spacious and in a small bathroom. It is better to equip very small rooms with corner sinks..
Sinks with pedestals
The sink is placed on top of the cabinet and attached to the wall using the mounting holes. If they are absent, then it is necessary to fix the sink to the wall using silicone-based mounting glue. The curbstone can be suspended or stand directly on the floor.
Advantages of installing a sink on a curbstone: in small rooms it allows you to equip a storage space without taking up additional space; the internal filling of the cabinet can be done in different ways, it can be both shelves and drawers or baskets.
Corner sinks
Of all types of bathroom sinks, you should pay special attention to corner options. They can be of two different types: suspended or mortise. As a rule, corner sinks are small in size, moreover, they are installed in a place that is usually left unused, or which is difficult to use in another way.
- The corner sink makes it possible to save bathroom space, which, as you know, cannot be too much.
- In addition to real space savings, the corner sink also gives a visual expansion of the room, since it takes up much less space than the standard version..
- A corner sink can be placed in a room of any style, you just need to choose the right material for both the sink itself and the mixer for it, and the cabinet if it is provided.
- The material of corner-shaped bathroom sinks can be anything, but faience and porcelain are most often used..
Corner sinks are distinguished by the type of pedestal:
- open (pipes have to be masked additionally),
- “tulip” (the most popular type of triangular shells, pipes are hidden in the “leg” under the sink),
- bowl (the sink is installed on the cabinet).
Tips for choosing a bathroom sink
- The sink should match the style of the rest of the bathroom, including plumbing.
- An overflow hole is required, otherwise unpleasant consequences during operation, in particular, flooding, are possible;
- The tap holes on the sink should be in a convenient location. It is possible that the mixer is not attached to the sink, but to the wall.
- If the bathroom is large, when choosing a bathroom sink, pay attention to “double” model.
- It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the painted parts of the structure: they should not have streaks, streaks.
- The quality of the fittings is an indicator of the quality of the entire product. The higher it is, the longer, as a rule, the item will serve you without changing its appearance..
With all the variety of models of sinks, materials and shapes, faience products are the most popular, since they have no equal in terms of price-quality ratio. In second place are artificial and natural stone, behind them are shells made of composite, glass, metal.
