Choosing the Right Sink for Your Bathroom Renovation
First you should decide what type of material you would like your sink to be made out of. Your decision can hinge on your priorities of endurance, durability, maintenance, character and design. You can choose enameled steel, which is easy to install because of it’s weight and cost effective. The downside of this type of sink, however, is that it inevitably chips and leaves you with a not-so desired effect. Fiberglass is also lightweight and cost effective, but if you are choosing this type of material, make sure to purchase the best quality available or you will end up with scratches that are just as unappealing as the chips in enameled steel can be. You can choose kiln-fired China sinks. These are fantastic for strength and durability and they are low maintenance as well. They are heavier than the aforementioned two selections but still affordable. If you choose a concrete or stone sink, both of which are highly durable, you may also need to add supports, depending on where you are installing them, because of the extra weight. They both also need regular maintenance, requiring a resealing at least once a year. The cost can be quite high, but the visual appeal, depending on the overall scheme of the bathroom, can make them well worth what you spend. If you choose a metal sink, which depending on the type of metal you choose can vary in price from very affordable to very expensive, know that the chances of it scratching, rusting, or dinging are high. Again, however, the look of a bronze sink or some other great metal can provide a highly pleasing visual appeal. If you are looking for very modern you can purchase a glass sink. They are quite expensive and require constant cleaning (since you can see through them at all angles) but they are a great conversation piece and are fairly easy to keep clean.
Now you want to decide what style of sink to purchase. There are basically four different kinds of sinks, the pedestal sink, the vessel bowl (the bowl rises above the surface), one that is mounted to the wall, and one that is placed into the counter surface (leaving it flush with the countertop). The pedestal sink is a great choice if the area you are remodeling is on the small side. Of course if you choose this type of sink you will need to add reinforcement to your wall to hold the added weight and keep the sink in place. The styles vary and you can get them with exposed plumbing or with a nice pedestal cover to hide the pipes. The vessel bowl sink is installed on top of a surface and rises significantly above it. They are easy to clean and look much like a wash basin of olden days on top of a stand, easily allowing them to fit into a theme as such. Wall-mounted sinks, either those entirely attached to the wall with hangers or those with four legs underneath can be purchased if space is an issue as well, or if you are looking for a specific design to match the existing bathroom interior. They, of course, may also require additional support to hold the weight they create. You can choose from a huge variety of styles and colors if you choose this type of sink. The final type of sink is the one that rests in the counter. The important thing here is to make sure the seals are very tight so that the existing cabinetry underneath, not to mention the items in them, will not become wet with sink use. The cost is quite high but the design options are endless, they can be cleaned with ease, they add a finished look to the room, and they are easily maintained.
Installation of a sink is really not that difficult unless the type you choose requires a rerouting of the existing pipe work. Check, however, with a professional, prior to installation to ensure you are taking all of the proper installation steps for the specific model you have chosen.
