Selection of bathroom sinks: installation methods, materials, forms

To choose a bathroom sink, you need to familiarize yourself with its classification. Distinguish the shells by the method of installation, shape, materials, sizes and other parameters.

Sink classification by installation type

There are four main options:

Suspended

This is the most common type. Brackets are attached to the wall to which the bowl sinks. A cupboard can be installed under the bowl. The sink can also be fixed using consoles.

Embedded

This type of sink will help to organize additional space for storing necessary things, and will reliably hide wiring. The bowl of the sink crashes into the table top of the pedestal, table or console. Moreover, there may be two ways of plunging - the edges of the bowl are flush with the table top or with sides when the bowl protrudes slightly.

The building has several advantages compared with other options for mounting the sink bowl:

the possibility of unusual interior solutions, custom design;
an easy way to install and mount, and the cabinet for installation can be both purchased and made by hand;
organization of additional storage space, more efficient use of space;
price of mortise models is lower than similar overhead.

Pedestal ("tulip")

Installation is made on the "leg", where the eyeliner is hidden. The “leg” itself can be half open - from the side facing the wall, in which case it is already half pedestal.

Bowls

Recently shells-bowls are popular, which can have various shapes, from a ball to a cube. They are mounted on the countertop.

Shell classification by material

The choice of sink material for the bathroom is very wide. This is not only the usual porcelain and earthenware, 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 consider them in more detail.

Faience, porcelain, ceramics

The most common materials for the production of sinks. Differ in the low price, long term of operation, simplicity in leaving, environmental friendliness. Quite a significant lack of faience - porosity, therefore, in the manufacture of sinks they are glazed, so that dirt, which is almost impossible to clean, does not clog in the pores. This lack of porcelain sink, but they have a higher price. Both porcelain, and earthenware, and ceramic sinks are heavy and at the same time quite fragile, which requires strong attachment and careful handling.

Fake diamond

By its qualities, the sink made of artificial stone surpasses the analogs of natural material. Natural stone is rather fragile and very heavy, besides, it is necessary to make products from it manually, which makes them expensive.

The artificial stone consists of polymer and a natural material that fills it. Adding pigments allows you to get almost any color. The production of shells is carried out by molding and molding method, which reduces the cost of the final product. Such shells are much easier than products made of natural stone, much stronger, easier to care for them, they are not afraid of temperature changes and the action of aggressive chemicals.

The advantages of artificial stone sinks:

The price is much lower than that of natural analogues, while apparently they are almost indistinguishable.
The surface of the sink is perfectly flat, which is very difficult to achieve when using natural stone.
Low porosity helps the sink to stay clean for a long time and makes it easier to care for. The porosity of natural stone is much higher, which means that you will have to thoroughly wash the sink from it almost every day.
Artificial stone is a hygienic material that does not trap moisture.
If a chip is formed on the sink, it can be masked by special means.
The sink from an artificial stone will not lose the operational qualities and appearance very long, several decades.

Glass

Of all the types of bathroom sinks, this one is the most unusual and even causes some concerns. Glass is a fragile material that, when broken, forms sharp fragments, so at first glance it seems rather unsuitable for use in a 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, in the manufacture of such glass additives are added to it, which increase the mechanical strength. Such a shell is not afraid of random shocks and can serve for decades. Models of glass, as a rule, are installed on the table tops, and not fixed to the wall.

The main advantages of glass sinks:

Resistance to mechanical stress is not lower than that of standard faience models, and the appearance is much more attractive.
Not afraid of changes in temperature.
Due to transparency, they do not clutter up the bathroom space, as if “dissolving” in it.
A wash basin of even a significant volume seems much smaller than its actual size due to its glass properties.
Appearance does not change when exposed to aggressive chemicals or cleaning products.
Safe to use, since the outer edges of the shell are polished, and if the shell still breaks, medium-sized and non-sharp fragments are formed.
Glass sinks have a small weight, which facilitates their installation.

There are glass and disadvantages. Glass - brand material, the sink will have to constantly wash and clean. In addition, cleaning agents will have to choose very carefully: the presence of abrasive in them can spoil the appearance of the sink.

Tree

Another unusual material for bathroom sinks is wood. The wooden sink looks really very unconventional, and can turn an ordinary bathroom into a masterpiece of design art.

Especially suitable wooden sinks for eco-style, as well as some other interior areas. Its operational advantages are not lower than those of faience: wood is treated in a special way so that it does not absorb water and dirt. However, wooden shells have a significant disadvantage: they are very expensive.

Metal

If metal sinks have long been familiar in kitchens, it’s still exotic in bathrooms. They are rarely installed; metal shells are suitable mainly for modern styles, such as high-tech or minimalism. If copper is used as metal, the sink can be used to decorate the bathroom in loft, country, and some other styles, but this is a much more expensive option than stainless steel.

Care of the metal sink is simple, the main thing is not to scratch it, do not use abrasives and scouring pads from wire, and be sure to wipe it after use, otherwise stains will remain.

Marble

This is a very beautiful and durable material that requires careful treatment. Marble sink looks luxurious, and is suitable for classic interiors, as well as rooms in the Rococo, Baroque style. There are two main drawbacks: dirt quickly accumulates in the pores of the marble, and it deteriorates from aggressive detergents. In addition, it is an expensive option.

Shell classification by shape

When choosing a bathroom sink, its shape is important. In addition to the traditional rectangular bowls with rounded edges, a variety of different options appeared, satisfying any taste. Sinks are:

rectangular;
square;
round;
oval;
corner;
double;
asymmetrical.

Whatever shape the sink has, its edges are usually rounded for safety reasons when used and for ease of care. Classic rectangular sink - the most affordable and common option. It will be appropriate in the spacious and small bathroom. Very small rooms are better equipped with corner sinks.

Sideboard sinks

The sink is mounted on the top of the drawer, and attached to the wall using mounting holes. If they are absent, it is necessary to fix the shell to the wall using silicone-based mounting glue. The bollard can be suspended or stand directly on the floor.

Advantages of installing the sink on the cabinet: in small rooms it allows you to equip a storage place 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, pay special attention to corner options. They can be of two different types: suspended or mortise. As a rule, the corner sinks are small in size, moreover, they are installed in a place that usually remains unused, or which is difficult to use in another way.

Corner sink allows you to save bathroom space, which, as you know, does not happen much.
In addition to the real space saving, the corner sink also provides visual room expansion, as it takes up much less space than the standard version.
The corner sink can be put into the premises of any style; you only need to choose the material of the sink itself, as well as the mixer for it, and the pedestals, if it is provided for.
The material of the bathroom sinks in the shape of a corner can be any, but most used faience and porcelain.

Corner sinks are distinguished by pedestal type:

open (pipes have to be masked additionally),
"tulip" (the most popular type of triangular shells, the pipes are hidden in the "leg" under the sink),
bowl (sink mounted on the cabinet).

Tips for choosing a sink for the bathroom

The sink should be combined in style with the rest of the objects in the bathroom, including plumbing.
It is necessary to have a hole for overflow, otherwise unpleasant consequences may occur during operation, in particular, flooding;
The holes for the faucet on the sink should be located in a convenient location. It is possible that the mixer is mounted not to the sink, but to the wall.
If the bathroom is large, when choosing a sink for a bathroom, pay attention to the “double” models.
It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the painted parts of the structure: they should not be stained, divorced.
The quality of fittings is an indicator of the quality of the entire product. The higher it is, the longer, as a rule, the thing will last you without changing the appearance.

With all the variety of models of sinks, materials and forms, faience products are the most popular, since in terms of price-quality ratio they have no equal. In the second place is an artificial and natural stone, behind them are sinks made of composite, glass, metal.