Sink types - a short guide to the plumbing world

The sink installed in the kitchen or bathroom must meet two basic criteria - it must be practical and not “fall out” from the overall design of the room. Given the variety and complexity of the choice, it would not be superfluous to consider in more detail the existing types of shells, their strengths and weaknesses.

Short classification

It is rather difficult to classify the shells, because they can differ in a variety of parameters, so it all depends on what is the basis of the division into groups.

So, according to the installation method can be identified:

• conventional hanging models - in this case, the sanitary fixture is simply hung on the brackets. The brackets themselves can be of various types, ranging from simple steel to fine cast-iron products;

Note! Installation on the brackets can be recommended in case the walls in the bathroom / kitchen are capital. A thin partition is unlikely to sustain the weight of the sink.

• with installation on countertop - This option is popular in the kitchen. The only drawback of this solution is that it is a little inconvenient to install the mixer, the instruction requires the installation of an additional hole in the tabletop;
• shelf mounted models they will not require additional fastening at all - it is enough just to put the sink on the shelf, while the shelf itself is attached to the wall with brackets;

• in the bathroom are often used options for sinks with dresser, This allows you to efficiently use the free space under the sanitary equipment.

If you choose the form as the main criterion, then you can select such types of sinks as:

• the correct form - rectangular or square. A square sink, for example, is ideal for a compact room - it will look good in the corner as well as in the middle of the wall;
• with an oval or round outline of the bowl - installed mainly in the bathrooms;
• with asymmetrical outlines - it all depends on the designer's imagination.

It is worth mentioning about the material from which the sink is made, this should also be taken into account when choosing.

For production can be used:

• granite, onyx, marble - such models are distinguished from the rest by the high price and magnificent appearance, as they say - premium class;

• porcelain stoneware - artificial material, thanks to appropriate additives allows to imitate marble and other natural materials. In terms of cost / appearance - the best option;
• metal - stainless steel is used, kitchen sinks are made of this material, their distinguishing feature is a high noise level when water is turned on. Bronze, brass and even precious metals can also be used (in this case it’s better not to even think about the cost);
• plastic, in particular acrylic, - this material is quite well tolerated by mechanical action, and it looks good. In addition, the production process is quite simple;
• glass - in the kitchen, a transparent sink, of course, will look inappropriate, but in the bathroom such a sink is quite appropriate;
• Wooden models can be found on the market. In this case, the tree at the production stage is impregnated with a protective compound, and the upper protective layer does not allow water to act on the wood.

Recommendations for selection

In addition to such important parameters as cost, size and shape, you need to take into account the purpose of the room when choosing. What is appropriate for the bathroom is not always suitable for the kitchen and vice versa.

We select a sink for the bathroom

Bathroom - perfect for unusual sinks. It is here that, in addition to standard square or oval shaped sinks, you can find bold design solutions.

And you can make the interior unusual even if there is not so much free space. The twisted sink looks rather unusual - in such a model the shape of the inner bowl resembles the outlines of a clam shell, in the kitchen, of course, this option should not be installed.

The sink in which the drain opening is taken out for limits of a bowl will look unusually. It seems that a small lake gives rise to a small stream.

Lovers of efficient use of free space can pay attention to the flat models of sinks. In this case, the depth of the bowl is small, due to this, under it can easily accommodate, for example, a washing machine and other appliances.

The flat shell is distinguished by a shallow depth of the bowl, some models are almost flat. As an option to combine it with appliances, you can give an example of installation on the countertop, but for the bath this option is used less frequently.

If you plan to install the sink on a pedestal, then as an alternative, you can consider floor models.

Such shells can be produced in 2 versions:

• on legs - for installation it is enough just to put it against the wall;

• when the floor sink is a one-piece design. In this case, it can be considered a separate element of the interior, and it does not require binding to a specific place in the room. Outwardly, it resembles a large vase, it allows you to hide the feed and discharge pipes.

As for the size, the dimensions of the sink are determined mainly by the size of the room itself. With a shortage of space, you can stop at miniature sinks, their dimensions are about 40x30 cm. There are also much larger sizes available, a large sink can measure up to 2-2.5 m in length - usually it is an elongated asymmetrical model, which walls.

The best choice for the kitchen

Here we have to take into account the specifics of the room, if the bathroom sink is needed only for hygienic procedures, then in the kitchen it acts as a sink. That is, ergonomic considerations come to the fore, of course, you shouldn’t forget about the appearance either.

Most often, the shape of the sink is selected square or rectangular, models with an oval bowl are also popular. But it is better not to experiment with the form - triangular, asymmetric sinks in the kitchen are permissible, but with a certain reservation. For example, if there is a dishwasher among kitchen appliances, and a sink is needed only to wash vegetables and fruits, the shape does not play a special role, in other cases the traditional shape is preferable.

Another important requirement is that this sink should be easily cleaned, in addition, it should be spacious enough, flat models for the kitchen will not work. A deep sink and an average roominess model are suitable for the kitchen.

As for the placement of the sink in the kitchen, it is often used option of installing it in the countertop. That is, it is simply placed in the hole on the tabletop, the load is transferred not to the wall, but to the floor.

Design features of some sinks

Some models of sinks are very different from the main mass. This is primarily about the English sinks, the process of their installation and operation is very different from conventional models.

In the UK, water is not a cheap pleasure, so the issue of economy is given special attention. Changes compared with the usual sink touched the water connection and the location of the mixer.

Moreover, the installation of the mixer is prohibited at the legislative level. This prohibition is valid to preserve the health of citizens. The fact is that hot water in English homes is often stored in metal containers and its composition is not always safe for humans after storage.

If a mixer is installed in a conventional model and the person controls the water temperature by turning the tap. English sink will require the installation of 2 taps - separately for hot and cold water.

Note! These taps are located so close to the edge of the sink that it’s impossible to wash hands even with cold water under running water. We'll have to plug the drain plug and get some water.

From a technical point of view, the process of installing the English sink with your own hands does not differ from the usual one. The only thing is that it makes no sense to install an ordinary mixer, because there is still room for the second faucet.

In conclusion

It is impossible to describe all the varieties of shells in one article - manufacturers offer too much choice. Therefore, attention is paid to the peculiarities of choosing the appropriate model depending on the purpose of the room. The proposed material will allow you to navigate among the masses of sinks and choose the ideal option.

The video in this article is a small overview of different types of sinks.