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Choosing Your Bathroom Sink

The bathroom is one of the most heavily trafficked rooms in the home, and every bathroom needs a sink. There are more sink choices than ever, so it makes sense to put some thought into what will work best for your particular situation. An ornate vessel sink can make an ordinary bathroom special, and a durable, self-rimming sink can be the backbone of the busiest room in your house. Build.com has the selection and expertise to help you select the perfect bathroom sink.

DecoLav 1402 Bathroom Sink

Bathroom Sink Installation Types

The way in which you install your sink is often referred to as the “type” of sink and there are several basic forms.

  • A self-rimming bathroom sink is installed in a cutout on your countertop and is held in place by the rim that overlaps your countertop. This is the most common type of sink for installation on a laminate countertop.
  • An undermount bathroom sink is mounted beneath your countertop and provides for an uninterrupted surface between the countertop and your sink. This type is held in place with special clips that hold the sink to your countertop, and typically requires professional installation. You will need a solid surface countertop to use an undermount sink.
  • A vessel sink will sit either directly on your countertop, or may be partially recessed into it. While this type of sink can be particularly striking, it may not be a good choice for heavily used bathrooms. You will need a special type of faucet for this sink, either a tall, vessel faucet or a wall-mounted faucet.
  • A wall-mounted bathroom sink is mounted on and supported by your bathroom wall. They are a good choice for smaller bathrooms, but don’t provide much counter space for toiletries.
  • A pedestal sink is another good choice for small bathrooms. They are mounted on your wall but supported underneath by a pedestal. This type of sink may also lack for space to place your toiletries.
  • A console sink is similar to pedestal sinks, but are supported by either two or four legs underneath the sink.

Bathroom Sink Materials

Bathroom sinks are made from all types of materials and you will want to pay special attention to your particular situation when selecting your material type.

  • Cast iron sinks, coated in enamel, are heavy and durable. They have a glossy finish, are available in many different colors, and are easy to clean. The enamel may be prone to chipping if it is struck repeatedly with a hard object.
  • Ceramic sinks, such as vitreous china, porcelain, and fireclay, also make for very durable sinks. They are easy to clean, but can be prone to staining from harsh chemicals and can chip if abused.
  • Glass is a popular material for vessel sinks. They come in a wide variety of colors and styles and can be the focal point of your bathroom. This is a good choice for a lightly used powder room, or a bathroom used primarily by adults. Glass sinks are usually not a good choice for children’s bathrooms. Glass sinks are prone to cracking or shattering if they are struck with a hard object. Installing a medicine cabinet directly above a glass sink is not recommended as a falling object may cause damage to the sink.
  • Metals such as stainless steel or copper are popular choices for bathroom sinks. These sinks are highly durable and are an excellent choice when your design theme calls for them. The thickness of metal sinks is denoted by the “gauge,” and the lower the number, the thicker the material.
  • Other types of materials include wood, concrete, granite, and marble. These types of materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, and you will want to weigh these carefully when considering one of these types of materials for your bathroom sink.

Kraus C-GV-200-19MM-10 Glass Vessel Sink

Pairing a Faucet to Your Bathroom Sink

After selecting your sink you will want to make sure you are using an appropriate faucet. Some sinks are made to have the faucet installed directly onto them. In this case, you will want to make sure your sink has an appropriate number of holes and spread (distance from the center of the outermost holes) to accommodate your faucet. Some undermount sinks will have no holes and you will install your faucet to the countertop.

Make sure your faucet is proportional to the size of your sink. A small faucet looks out of place on a large sink, and a large faucet will overwhelm a small sink. When selecting a vessel faucet or wall-mounted faucet, make sure the handles can be easily reached and you have room behind the sink and around the faucet to perform any cleaning tasks.

Build.com offers the widest selection of bathroom sinks. If you need additional help selecting your sink, you may want to consult your installer or contact us so we can help you make the right selection.

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