The most functional part of any bathroom are the faucet and sink. Function and durability of these should be top of mind when looking to update your bathroom, not just looks! Oftentimes, when deciding on the fixtures of your bathroom, it can be confusing. There are endless possibilities of products on the market. This can both be a blessing and a curse, leaving you overwhelmed and questioning where to start. Sometimes it is easier to choose the faucet and sink individually. Other times, when working on a larger bathroom remodel it may make sense to choose a faucet from a collection that offers other components that complement your faucet.
Choosing the right fixture can be tough. At Countertops and Cabinetry by Design, we have a variety of top quality products that will look beautiful and stand up to the everyday wear and tear. Please stop in and speak with one of our friendly sales staff members, and let them provide you with all the information you need to feel confident about selecting the sink or faucet that will suit your needs.
What Things Should I Consider Before Choosing My Bathroom Sinks?
Bathroom remodels often come with their own set of complexities, but the overall aesthetics of your bathroom will depend on a number of smaller decisions you have to make. It’s key to find a bathroom sink that fits nicely with the rest of your bathroom. You will also need to know whether you’re keeping your current bathroom faucets, or replacing them. At Countertops and Cabinetry by Design, our goal is to work by your side during these decisions, making the process you have to go through much simpler and less complicated. Other things to consider when choosing your bathroom sink include:
Function
You will need to decide just how important durability is when choosing your bathroom sink. You need to think about things like how many people will be using the bathroom, if children will be using the sink, and what depth you will need the sink to be. Think about how you will be using the sink most and find a sink that matches those needs.
Budget
Depending on how extensive your bathroom remodel is, you will want to know exactly what the budget for your bathroom sink is before you start looking at styles. Bathroom sink prices can vary widely, from basic and affordable, to more ornate—and expensive.
Type and Quality
The types and quality of the various types of bathroom sinks are seemingly endless, which mean you have some decisions to make. You may choose a wall-mounted sink, which may be the most workable solution in a small bathroom, or a pedestal bathroom sink, which is supported from underneath. Drop-in sinks, top mount sinks, and self-rimming sinks are installed in the vanity cutout, then secured by the rim of the sink. A tile-in sink is considered a self-rimming sink when combined with a tile countertop.
An undermount bathroom sink is mounted underneath the vanity, creating a neat, uninterrupted surface between the sink and the counter. Supported by two legs on the front side of the sink, the console sink is comparable to a wall mounted sink. One of the newer trends in bathroom sinks is known as a vessel sink. The vessel sink is free-standing and typically placed on the top of the vanity, although some vessel sinks are partially recessed into the countertop.
There are also many sink materials to choose from, like enamel-coated cast iron. Although fairly durable, if you drop a hard item onto an enamel-coated cast iron sink, you can cause a chip in the finish. Vitreous china, fireclay and porcelain materials are sink materials very similar to clay-based ceramics, but can be easily chipped if hit with a heavy object. Glass is the primary material used in vessel sinks, which have a near-endless amount of colors and designs. Although some glass sinks can be relatively durable, tempered glass can potentially shatter. Additionally, glass sinks may spot if not immediately wiped clean.
Copper, brass and stainless steel are the different types of metals used in bathroom sinks. While stainless steel sinks might be the most durable, they are typically used more often in kitchens than in bathrooms. There are many forms and styles of stone bathroom sinks, but this material requires sealing to prevent stains. While heavier than other types of sinks, concrete sinks are also a consideration, and are becoming more and more popular. Solid surface sinks are made from the same materials as solid surface countertops, and come in a one-piece assembly, which is easy to clean and highly functional for hard-working bathrooms. Finally, you could choose a very exotic bathroom sink material like wood or bamboo, which need to be oiled or treated with a sealer and requires more delicate treatment than other sink materials.
Dimensions
The size of your bathroom is extremely important when you choose a sink. For a tiny half-bath or powder room, a full vanity might be neither aesthetically pleasing or practical. In a smaller bathroom, you might choose a small corner sink or a pedestal style sink which takes up less room, giving the appearance of spaciousness. If you are working with a larger bathroom you have more flexibility as far as the size of your sink. In the end you will want to choose a bathroom sink that is proportionate to the size of your bathroom.
Décor and Style
Be careful when combining colors, styles and the influences of different eras. Variety can be fun but it could result in a bathroom that’s unique. Always choose products you want to look at every day that are functional for those using the space. Being beautiful doesn’t mean anything if you hate how it functions.
Mixing and matching different styles of products, or even models from different manufacturers, isn’t always easy. You might fall in love with the style of a particular sink or faucet, install it, and then be dismayed when it looks out of place. Worse still, fixtures that weren’t designed to work together might not function as well as they should.
Some sinks come with surface treatments that allow for easy clean-up and no worries about bacteria. If you want something that is highly unique, you might want to consider a custom design. Artisans or glass galleries sometimes create custom sinks from ceramics, concrete or blown glass. If you like the look of an apron or farmhouse sink, you might choose one which works with a vintage or rustic-style bathroom. If you prefer a more non-traditional style, you may decide on a shallow-depths sink, or a square or rectangular design.
If you want a sink which looks like metal, but is easier to maintain, Bates & Bates manufactures the Z-series sinks which are made from a combination of metal and polymers. These sinks come in pewter, brass, copper and bronze. You might also choose an environmentally-friendly sink from Kohler in their Iron/Impressions line which is made primarily from reclaimed and recycled cast iron. If you love the look of a vessel sink, you may need to put some extra thought into choosing your design—because vessel sinks sit on top of the counter or vanity, they are higher than other sinks, therefore require wall-mounted faucets, or taller, deck-mounted faucets.
What Things Should I Consider Before Choosing My Bathroom Faucets?
Bathroom faucets tend to be the “crown jewels” in any bathroom remodel, as they now come in a wide variety of shapes and finishes, not to mention interactivity and water conservation. Before you choose your bathroom faucet, you will need to consider a few factors, including whether you are using an existing sink or buying a new one and where the faucet openings currently lie. Some of the different types and finishes of bathroom faucets include:
- Single-hole faucets combine the spout and mixing handles into a single lever and one sink hole. A center-set faucet fits standard, three-hole sinks, and may have two handles or a single lever. Widespread mounts have two handles and a spout, and wall mount faucets are typically used with freestanding or vessel-type sinks.
- Faucet finishes include polished brass, satin brass, oil-rubbed bronze, copper, satin bronze, polished nickel, brushed nickel, matte black, white and chrome.
- Other considerations for your bathroom faucet include water conservation, aerators, sanitizing features, motion-activated faucets and laminar flow technology.
What Does the Process Look Like to Replace My Bathroom Faucets and Sinks?
Once the bathroom faucet and sink you have chosen are on hand, your professional team from Countertops and Cabinetry by Design will give you a time frame for the remodel. Your old faucet and sink will be removed, then the new ones installed. The process is generally fairly quick and easy for our team, meaning you will not have to do without your bathroom for very long.
What Information Should I Have with Me Before Talking to a Professional About Replacing My Bathroom Faucets and Sinks?
Before you speak to a greater Cincinnati Countertops and Cabinetry by Design professional regarding replacing your bathroom faucet and sink, it is a good idea to have a rough drawing of your bathroom space, as well as to take a few measurements and photographs of the area. You will sit down with a design professional from Countertops and Cabinetry by Design to determine the style and finish of sink and faucet you want, then a quote will be given, and a date will be set for installation. We also provide helpful resources like our kitchen visualizer and kitchen planner in order to give you more of a head start.
How Can We Help You?
We fully understand the issues that come with remodeling projects and seek to make your bathroom sink and faucet replacement as quick and painless as possible. Our business model creates a more customized remodel as well as a faster turnaround time. While we will strive to help you stay within your budget, we never cut corners at the expense of a quality design and installation. We listen carefully to your requirements, answering any questions you may have regarding design or installation. Speaking to a highly qualified Countertops and Cabinetry by Design professional for those in the greater Cincinnati, Montgomery, West Chester or Mason area can result in a bathroom remodel you will be proud of for years to come, so contact us today.