Shallow Vessel Sinks

Buying Guide

Mia Jones Interior Design Expert

Mia is a freelance bathroom designer and writer with over a decade of professional experience. From space planning, cabinetry, storage solutions, and tile design to hardware and fixture selections, she knows a thing about creating baths that strike a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.

What was your reaction when you spotted a vessel sink for the first time? It's obvious! You felt in love. Now you can't wait to add that touch of elegance to your bathroom.

Interestingly, vessel sinks aren't only beautiful. They also provide an array of benefits in both form and function. But, before you buy one, you have to consider things like the mount style, faucet, drain, installation, etc. It looks like a tough nut to crack, right?

In this article, you'll get vital information in its purest form on how to choose the best vessel sink for your home.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Common Vessel Sink Materials?

Here're nine standard vessel sink materials with their pros and cons to help your buying decision:

Fireclay

The fireclay vessel sink is a unique clay. This model is glazed and fired at 2100F which helps to produce a heavy-duty and long-wearing sink that resembles enamel.

Pros

It's easy to clean
Resists water build-up
It has a modern appeal
Resistant to heavy scratches, alkali, and other acids
Resistant to corrosion or discoloration

Cons

It could crack under heavy impact
If it's not correctly maintained, the finish could wear very quickly
It's expensive
It could stain over time without proper care

Composite Granite

The composite granite vessel sink is a mix of acrylic resins and granite stone dust. It's one of the most durable sink materials. Plus, it's resistant to chipping, staining, and scratching.

Pros

It's durable
It has excellent heat resistance
Resistant to cleaners, household acids, and alkali
It's quite affordable
Resistant to scratching and chipping

Cons

It requires regular maintenance
Susceptibility to various water stains without adequate care

Soapstone

The soapstone vessel sink is a type of metamorphic rock that combines magnesium silicate, talc, and chlorite. It's a perfect option if you love the look and feel of granite sinks with a tint of aesthetic flair.

Pros

It's durable
Highly heat resistant
Easy to clean
Resistant to cleaning solutions, acids, and chemicals
It has a natural look that blends well with stone resin bathtubs

Cons

You have to treat it with mineral oil regularly to avoid discoloration and oxidization
It's vulnerable to scratches
If you drop heavy objects on the sink, it may chip or get damaged
It's quite expensive

Stainless Steel

This sink material is quite popular. It comes in a variety of options and choices that'll fit your budget. The stainless steel has a modern look and it's very versatile.

Pros

Easy to maintain
It has a modern look
It's quite affordable
Resistant to damages from high impact
It can fit almost any kind of style in your bathroom

Cons

With extensive use, the sink may develop scratches over time
It collects water stains over time if not dried

Cast Iron

The cast iron sink goes through the process of getting heated up to 2200F before it gets coated with a layer of porcelain enamel.

Pros

Resistant to chipping
It's quite affordable
It can hold water temperature adequately
It has a classic appeal
The material is durable
It comes in a wide array of styles and colors
Easy to clean

Cons

The color options could be expensive
With rough treatment, the enamel can chip
It's vulnerable to heavy stains

Natural Stone

Natural stone sink is a versatile option that's quite similar to the composite stone. Using this type of sink in your bathroom will bring a unique look and create meditative ambiance.

Pros

It's highly versatile
It can be primitive, modern, or sleek
Easy to clean
It's heatproof

Cons

It's quite expensive

Copper

Copper sinks are the perfect go-to if you plan to add an excellent accent to your bathroom. The copper sink forms a patina from exposure to air and water - which gives it that deep hue that many see as its natural beauty.

Pros

It's antibacterial and rust-resistant
It adds a vintage feel to your bathroom
Comes with a robust aesthetic beauty
It's durable

Cons

It gets stained easily
It's quite expensive
The finish can get ruined over time with acidic substances

Wood

The wood vessel sink is an excellent option if you're considering a natural and rustic look. You can choose from bamboo, petrified wood, and teak. The bamboo is an eco-friendly option. The petrified wood sinks provide the most exotic and unique look. Teak s the most common option that's versatile and moisture-resistant.

Pros

It has a tight grain
High tensile strength
It has an exotic and unique look
Moisture-resistant
It's affordable

Cons

Acidic substances may wear off your wood finish

Ceramic

The ceramic vessel sink is a combination of metal, glass, and heating clay with enamel coating. You can consider this route if you prefer a more classic approach.

Pros

It gives your bathroom a traditional look
It's stain-resistant
It has a wide variety of colors and design to choose from
Retains a great shine
Retains heat adequately
Easy to maintain

Cons

It's not sturdy
It can crack, chip, or scratch
Doesn't sustain high impact

Quartz

Quartz sinks come from a combination of natural quartz and acrylic resin. It's perfect for people that require a look and feel of natural stone at an affordable price.

Pros

It retains color and uniformity
It's durable
Resistant to heat
It has a modern look
Naturally soundproof
Resistant to massive impact, scratches, and stains
Resistant to odor and bacteria
Easy to clean and maintain
Food particles don't build-up

Cons

The wears and tears are more apparent
It's quite expensive

Types of Vessel Sinks Based On Installation

When it comes to vessel sink installations, there're two distinct types:

Recessed Installation

The recessed or below-counter installation offers increased basin stability. In this type of installation, the sink basin rests partially into the countertop. Also, it requires a large drain hole to make room for the basin.

Above-Counter Installation

The above-counter is the opposite of the recessed. The vessel sink rests entirely on the countertop. This installation requires a drain hole of 1 5/8" to 1 3/4" and no additional cutting of the vanity. If you want an option that's easy to clean, the above-counter mount is ideal since the countertop and sink basin is exposed.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Vessel Sink

Here're are some factors you should consider before buying a vessel sink:

Vessel Sink Faucet

Once you pick a mount style, you have to consider the faucet that'll work correctly with your sink. With faucets, you have to pay attention to two things: the base and height.

For the base, you can choose between the sealant and o-ring base. If you want to keep yourself from the stress of keeping your elegant sink clean at all times, use an o-ring base.

As for the height, the faucet should be tall enough to make your sink comfortable for use. But, a higher arc delivers a lot of splashes. So, the rule here is to ensure that your sink is deep enough to accommodate the height of your faucet.

For instance, if your vessel sink is 6" deep, the height of your faucet should be 6" away.

The Right Drain

With drains, you have two options: grid and pop-up. The grid drain is a standard cap that gets outfitted with small holes. The small holes help filter water down through drain pipes. The pop-up drain has a plug and lever system - which is common in a more traditional sink style.

So, what's the best option?

That depends on who uses your sink. If you regularly wash your hair in the sink the pop-up drain is perfect - because it allows more debris through. The grid drain is best for washing your hands and washing cloth regularly.

Also, you must make sure you have enough space for water supply valves in the vanity and drainpipe.

How Do You Maintain Your Vessel Sink?

Here're some ways you can maintain your vessel sinks:

To prevent permanent stains, rust, or spots, make it a habit to clean your sink regularly.
Use the right cleaning products regularly when you need to do intensive cleaning. Avoid abrasive cloths or harsh cleaning products. Clean any trace of cleaning products and water.
Stick to products that are specifically for the vessel sink material you choose. For instance, if you have a glass sink, you can use a clean antibacterial multi-surface spray inside the sink. Then, rinse with warm water and use a microfiber cleaning cloth to dry the sink to avoid streaks.
You can seal your vessel sink to add another layer of protection.

When it comes to your choice of vessel sinks, there's no wrong or right choice. It all depends on your taste and personal preference. So, follow this guide carefully, and you'll get two things: your best choice of sink and perfect installation.

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