Q I need to know the ins and outs of picking out a vessel sink for a bathroom. I went online thinking this would be an easy task, but there was so much information that I got lost in the shuffle. Can you please give me some easy-to-understand information on vessel sinks?
A Vessel sinks have been making a big splash in the plumbing world recently. But these "new style" sinks actually go way back to the years when indoor-plumbing systems were hard to find.
Vessel sinks are reminiscent of washbasins and pitchers of water that sat on vanity countertops. Basically, they look like large bowls with finished inside and outside walls. As plumbing progressed, indoor plumbing became a standard system in most homes. Sinks changed shape and were mounted inside vanities and countertops, or were hung on walls. Now vessel sinks are the preferred high-end choice for many bathrooms.
Vessel sinks are available in many styles and materials, but I'm going to focus on the bowl-type styles and three of the most popular materials to help you cut through a lot of the clutter.
Vitreous china: China is basically fired clay coated with a bright glaze. It's probably the most versatile material used for vessel sinks. The color, style and decorative aspects of a china vessel sink can match up with just about any bathroom layout and design.
Thick-glass vessel sinks: Glass' translucence creates a deep, rich look and can also offer a wide variety of color choices.
Stone: Sinks cut from an actual block of marble create a totally natural style of vessel sink.
Keep in mind a few side notes that you also need to consider with vessel sinks: Matching countertops, faucets and extra plumbing labor that are needed to install this type of sink can add up, on top of the higher cost of the sink itself.
