Different Types of Bathroom Sinks

When it comes to choosing new bathroom sinks you can become overwhelmed with all the different types and materials. With each type of material used come advantages and disadvantages due to the properties of each sink. This article will talk about the different types of sinks available and the pros and cons to each of those types. Hopefully, at the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of these different sinks and be able to make a more educated choice on purchasing your new sink.

Standard bathroom sinks are usually made of stamped metal and covered with a ceramic coating. The sinks are inexpensive to manufacture, durable, and look okay for their price point. They are easy to install, usually self rimming, and held in place by screw clamps under the sink. You would typically find these types of sinks in apartments, condos, or sub division styled housing. The other reason the sinks are such a good price point is they are the most common therefore the most mass-produced.

The next upgraded sink would probably be a cast iron sink with a ceramic or porcelain coating. These sinks are heavier therefore more durable and come in more of a variety of shapes and sizes. These tend to blend better with tile counter tops and typically have a deeper rim in a variety of shapes. Both of these styles of sinks are susceptible to chipping but can be repaired using a special kit, sold at most home improvement stores. Unless the sink is a standard white color, these repair kits can be hard to match.

Decorative Clay sinks can be beautiful but are very fragile. These are recommended more for a powder room or hall bath than they are for a bathroom that gets daily use. Clay sinks are fired in a ceramic kiln with a coating to make it waterproof. These coatings can be transparent or solid and can have a mixture of colors and designs. Typically the thicker the bowl the less of a chance it will crack but all bowls have a tendency to chip. These types of bathroom sinks are very hard, if not impossible, to repair.

Glass vessel sinks are probably the most decorative sinks available. They can be mounted to counter top, for a wash bowl effect or they can sit on a stand or pedestal. They are very fragile.These glass vessel sinks can be mass-produced or created by an artist to suit your most fanciful need.

By Jim Leahey