Five Types Of Sinks Explained

When remodeling a bathroom one of the decision you need to make is what type of sink you will be using. There five basic types, vanity sinks, pedestal sinks, console sinks, wall mount sinks and the latest trend vessel sinks. Each type may be more appropriate in certain situations than in others. You need to consider factors like the size of your bathroom, and your decorating style before you can decide the sink most suited for your needs. In this article we will explore all five styles. It should be noted that when I am referring to type, I am not talking about style. All the sinks that I will discuss below could be contemporary, retro or even antique.

Vanity sinks have been the mainstay of American bathrooms in the last few decades. Sometimes a vanity sink is a drop in, that means that a hole is cut into the counter top, slightly smaller than the dimension of the sink, then the sink is dropped in, until the edge rests on the counter. Most of the sink is recessed into the vanity. One advantage of this type of sink is that it hides the edge of the hole when it is unfinished. Another method for installing vanity sinks is under mount. This is a good way to install a sink when you have a stone, like marble or granite counter top. In this case you can see the edge of the counter but not the edge of the sink. Vanity sinks have been popular and are still so today because they give you a good amount of storage. They do however take up a lot of space.

Pedestal sinks are also called column sinks. They have been around since the early 1900’s. They are often made of porcelain or stone in one piece. In the past the one piece pedestal sink was the norm but today it is possible to find some very interesting marriages of materials, like a chrome pedestal on which sits a glass top. A great type of sink to use if space is limited as they require little space, On the other hand the disadvantage is that they do not afford any storage.

Console sinks can work well in small bathrooms. A console sink consist of a counter top attached to the wall with two legs in the front to support the weight. Sometimes you will see console sinks with four legs, but it is more for styling purposes than structure. Because of the design a console sink will give an impression of openness in a small bathroom and will make it appear larger, as there is no cabinetry below the sink. Many console sinks are well suited for a cottage style decorating. You can compensate the lack of storage by using baskets that can slide underneath the sink. 

A wall mount sink is exactly what the name implies. While some people use them in their home, they are more frequently used in commercial buildings. They are a great solution for very small bathroom where you might need a corner sink. Unlike the console sink that has support on the front a wall mounted sink would precarious if someone were to pull or lean heavily on it.

The last type of sinks are vessel sinks. They sit on top of a counter as in the days before indoor plumbing was invented. Back then people washed from a basin sitting on a dressing table. Today they are making a beautiful come back, and their popularity is increasing every day. New materials can be used, they can be made of glass, natural stone or even wood. They most definitely bring a modern touch to your bathroom. They do need special faucets as the faucet must rise high enough above the sink. As beautiful as they are, they are also more likely to be broken than any other type of sink. For this reason they may not be a great choice for families with rambunctious children.