Choosing the right hand basin for a bathroom

 It's important to focus on a few important factors when buying a hand basin, so that you can buy the one that is best for your bathroom.

 

 

 

 

Installing a new hand basin can be confusing, especially with so many styles to choose from. Pop into your local Builders Warehouse and you will find a variety of shapes and styles. It's important to focus on a few important factors when buying a hand basin, so that you can buy the one that is best for your bathroom.

 

Mounting and Installation

The main factor that determines which sink to buy is how it will be mounted. There are various ways to mount a hand basin and here are some of the more common options:

 

 

Integral basin and cabinet

This is the most common installation, with the sink sitting in or on a countertop, typically as part of a vanity unit with cabinetry. What's nice about this type of vanity is that it is complete and can simply be installed and connected to the existing plumbing. The only disadvantage is that you don't get to choose the countertop material.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top mount hand basin

Top mount basins are mounted on top of a countertop and allow sizable surface around the basin and cabinetry. These types of hand basins are the easiest to install, requiring only that a couple of holes be drilled in the countertop material for the drain and tap fittings to be firmly mounted.

Installing a top mount hand basin allows you to choose from a selection of shapes and sizes to suit the style of your bathroom. There is no standard size for a hand basin. Some petite basins are just big enough for washing hands and ideal for a small guest bathroom, while a larger sink is more generous and perfect for a master suite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sink size and shape are generally matters of personal preference unless you are replacing an old fixture and wish to re-use the vanity and countertop. In that case, the new sink has to fit the existing opening in the countertop and mount the same way.

 

 

Under mount hand basin

Hand basins that are mounted below the countertop surface are especially popular when using natural stone or quartz countertops. Since the natural stone or quart countertop is fitted by a professional, they do all the cutting out for mounting the basin and tap fittings.

 

 

Pedestal

A pedestal sink consists of a basin atop a tall, slender base. It’s often considered a vintage look, but there are contemporary versions, too. Pedestal sinks work well in small baths where counter space isn’t a priority.

 

 

Wall mount

More often found in commercial offices, wall-mount sinks work in home bathrooms, too. They hang from the wall at a comfortable height and are open below - the drainpipe and water supply lines are exposed. Wall-mount sinks are affordable, work well in small baths, and create a clean, open look. However, with the plumbing underneath visible, it calls for an attractive pipe finish, such as polished chrome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mounting taps

It is important to ensure that the size and shape of the hand basin allows for easy fitting of any taps. Not all sinks come with pre-drilled holes for mounting taps, and these will need to be done in the countertop. If you are fitting a top mounted basin, taps will need to be high enough to extend above the height of the basin, or be mounted onto the wall behind the basin.

 

Material

Perhaps the most intriguing differences among bath sinks are in the materials used to make them. Traditional ceramics such as glass, porcelain, vitreous china, and fireclay are familiar choices, but they’re rivaled by the striking looks of glass, natural stone, solid-surfacing, and metals such as cast iron, stainless steel, copper, nickel, and brass. Vitreous china and its ceramic cousins provide a sink surface that is smooth, glossy, stain-resistant, durable, and easy to clean -- an attractive combination in the bath.

 

 

Glass basins are surprisingly strong and are made of tempered glass. However, the edges are prone to damage and these sinks are not recommended for installation in a family bathroom. Glass can also be a challenge to keep clean, too, especially if you have hard water.

 

 

Natural stone offers luxurious looks but because all stone is porous to some degree, it is prone to staining and requires extra care, such as routine sealing.

Solid-surfacing captures the look of natural stone in a composite material that’s easier to install and maintain than the real thing. A popular choice is a one-piece solid-surface countertop with integral sink.