Basins Buyer’s Guide

When buying a basin for your bathroom, there are a few considerations, both practical and aesthetic to take into account.

Practical Considerations:
·         Basins come in different sizes to suit different rooms and different styles. For example, if the space you’re working with is small or an awkward shape, corner basins and Hand Basins are available as a solution. For a larger bathroom, you could consider a pedestal basin.
·         Most basins are pre-drilled with tap holes, but check to make sure it is suitable to your needs. Some basins will have an option of one or three tap holes, whilst others may only be able to accommodate one, or even none. If you’ve already purchased brassware, be sure to check it fits with the basin before you buy it.
·         Materials like glass are lovely to look at, but they are not necessarily suited to heavy use. Basins are also available in ceramic (standard), stone and wood. Consider what the use will be and what will most suit you. For example, in a family bathroom that will be used often, ceramic will be best, whereas in a guest bathroom you can be more flexible.

Types of Basins:
·         Washbasin – this is a very popular style of basin. It is fixed to the wall using basin bolts and is usually supplied with one or three tap holes. These basins can be used with a pedestal or a semi pedestal. Hand basins are also available for small areas, such as a cloakroom bathroom.
·         Console or furniture basin – designed to sit on top of a worktop, furniture or shelf and only have the bottom part of it in contact with the worktop. Available in a number of tap hole options and usually with a built in over flow. Some basins are referred to as ‘grinded’ when the bottom is smoothed to allow a flush fit.
·         Washbowls –  washbowls are an attractive and modern alternative to the wall-mounted washbasin. They can be combined with wall or deck mounted taps and normally require a free flowing waste.
·         Semi-Inset Basins – these basins sit on top of a worktop and are partially sunk into the worktop. They are normally supplied with tap holes and basin bolts.
·         Vanity/Inset Basins – these are completely inset into a worktop. Some designs require taps to be mounted in the worktop or wall.

Additional Extras:
·         Pedestal – this is a cover for pipe work that stands the whole length between the basin and the floor. It is assumed this takes the weight of the basin, however they are there for aesthetic purposes and the basin is usually still wall hung.
·         Semi-Pedestal – This does the same job as the pedestal, however it does not reach the whole length between the basin and the floor. It may be more suitable than the pedestal if you don’t have as much room in your bathroom.
·         Bottle trap – this is usually used for wall hung basins to hide the pipe work.
·         Basin waste – all basins need a basin waste, but it isn’t usually included with the basin. You can speak to one of our advisors to help with this matter.
·         If you are having a vanity/inset basin, you will obviously need to have a countertop to position it on.

If in doubt, it’s always best to speak with an expert, and if you are looking for a bathroom showroom in West Yorkshire, Modern Living is one of the premier retailers of bathroom accessories, online and in store.