Choosing white and colored sinks made of ceramics and other materials

Renovation in the bathroom is a reason to look at familiar things from the other side. Many of the items we use for hygiene every day can solve more problems if we choose wisely. For example, a conventional sink can be multifunctional.

When we choose a white or colored sink made of ceramics and other materials, the first thing we think about is the beauty of the furnishings. If you do not push the functionality of this item into the background, you will be able to choose both a beautiful and more practical thing.

When asked what a sink is and what it is for, most people will answer: to wash their hands. From the point of view of everyday life, the answer is correct, but technically incorrect. In order to wash your hands, you need a sink or a faucet, that is, a device that supplies cold and hot water. The sink is just an additional, but not required element in this case. It replaces any container that would have to be substituted under the tap so that water does not flow to the floor, and also masks the entire water drainage system into the sewer.

The ancestor of modern plumbing systems was a washbasin or washstand. It just consisted of a tap supplying water and a steel pallet. A heating system could be installed in the water tank, and the used water did not go into the sewer, but flowed into a bucket or poured out of a removable tray.

Then a more developed system appeared, water began to be diverted into the sewer, but until the appearance of beautiful plumbing sinks, they continued to use the system with a pallet. There was little aesthetics in this, and the smells from the sewage system freely returned to the room through the drain. Later, this problem was solved with the help of a sink and a plumbing system for draining the water in the form in which we are used to seeing it today.

A practical function is provided by the presence of a ceramic, earthenware, metal or other bowl with a depression and a drain vent. The recessed shape of the sink allows you to wash your hands, objects, and your head without splashing water throughout the room.

The sink drain is usually fitted with a rubber stopper or a lever mechanism so that water can be drawn into the sink. This method allows you to save water during washing, so that it does not overflow in vain.

The aesthetic function is ensured by the appearance of the product. First of all, behind the "body" of the sink is an unsightly waste water drainage system. In addition to pipes, it includes elements such as a water seal and garbage nets. A water seal (also called a siphon) prevents odors from the sewer system from entering the room through the drain pipes, and the nets are needed in order to retain large debris. And secondly, the sink itself is a decoration of a bathroom or another type of toilet.

Plumbing sinks differ in several ways, and each type has its own characteristics. Combine all kinds of certain characteristics.

• Convenience. If the sink does not have an intricate design form that does not imply its active use, it is a practical and convenient device for household and hygienic procedures.
• Compliance with hygiene. It follows directly from the first point. Having a sink simplifies daily toilet rituals for all family members.

• Organization of space. A sink in a bathroom or other type of room is placed so that its location allows you to minimize the required number of actions when washing, cleaning, washing, cooking and other procedures. Therefore, the sink is considered to be a kind of central element for the functional area with a faucet in the room.

If this is a toilet area, then next to the sink is a mirror, cabinets with personal hygiene items. If this is a double sink, then it is convenient to place children's or women's pastes, brushes and jars above the women's or children's half, and hygiene items for men or parents above the men's or adult's. If this is a kitchen sink, then the distance from it to the cutting table is minimal, and all the necessary kitchen utensils are located next to the sink. This simplifies the life of a modern person and helps to save time on elementary actions, which cannot be avoided day in and day out.

• Aesthetics. The sink doesn't have to be boring. In some interiors, bolder colors and shapes will be appropriate than the traditionally elongated white ceramics with a uniform depression towards the center.

The varieties of sanitary sinks are distinguished according to several criteria: according to the material of manufacture, size, shape, color, method of installation, and functional purpose.

The choice of material affects not only the beauty of the sink and its compliance with the design idea. Depending on what kind of raw materials became the basis for the manufacture of the sink, it has one form or another, weight, antibacterial properties, strength and durability. For example, a faience sink can be significantly thicker than a cast iron sink and can be easier to clean.

Numerous manufacturers of sanitary ware offer a choice of products from different materials.

Ceramic, porcelain and earthenware sinks are popular. Porcelain is more expensive and more reliable. By their structure, they are less porous than earthenware, therefore, small cracks, chips and other defects do not appear in them. They do not turn yellow or gray over time. Porcelain sinks are beautiful, not capricious in care, and retain their original appearance for a long time.

Earthenware products have a more porous structure, prone to cracks, chips and discoloration, so they are glazed for protection. They are cheaper but less durable. Any dirt can be easily removed from their surface. The material is not afraid of aggressive chemicals.

Mostly marble is used, but granite is also found. The materials are very expensive and not suitable for all interiors of bathrooms and kitchens. The objects surrounding natural stone should be appropriately elite.

Advantages of marble and granite sinks - lack of sensitivity to temperature changes, strength, natural origin.

Disadvantages of sanitary ware made of stone - deteriorates from unsuitable household chemicals for care, the top layer of the product is easily damaged, chips and cracks appear, has a very large weight and a high price.

It is a worthy alternative to natural stone in all respects. The material has a less porous structure, which makes it resistant to mechanical damage. It is also smoother on the surface, so it is easier to clean.

An artificial stone is made from acrylic and epoxy resintherefore weighs much less than real marble.But the main thing is that in terms of aesthetic and operational characteristics, the artificial stone is not inferior to the real one, but it costs several times cheaper.

Only durable tempered glass is used for plumbing. Ordinary does not have the necessary advantages that tempered glass has. It is resistant to sudden temperature changes, surpasses ceramics in strength, has a smooth surface that can be easily washed with any chemistry, does not crack and does not become coated. The aesthetic qualities of glass sanitary ware make it possible to manufacture sinks of any color, shape and thickness.

There are also disadvantages to such sinks. First of all, these are ugly traces of frozen water droplets. This is typical of glass, black stone of brass and copper: if you do not wipe the sink dry after washing your hands, it will become stained. This is a serious disadvantage given the high cost of the product.

Combines the advantages of artificial stone and tempered glass.

Sinks and sinks made of "stainless steel" are mainly used for kitchens, and in bathrooms they are installed as an exception, if the style requires it.

Advantages of stainless steel: light weight, easy maintenance, resistance to mechanical damage, strength, long service life, low cost.

The disadvantage is the same as in the case of glass and granite: ugly traces of drops remain on the surface without dry wiping. Over the years, the steel sink can change color to a darker or whitish color, and it will be difficult to remove this plaque.

The copper sink is also predominantly installed in the kitchen. Its advantages: beautiful appearance, the material lends itself easily to fine decorative processing (you can apply voluminous and carved decorations), fits well into semi-antique interiors. The sink will serve for a long time, but not without problems.

Its main drawback is that copper tends to oxidize when interacting with oxygen, water, household chemicals and other metals. Black, green, white, reddish bloom will often appear on the surface of the shell.

Not only sinks, but also baths are often made of cast iron. The fact is that the material has a number of advantages: strength, long service life, low price. But he also has enough shortcomings.

To prevent the cast iron from rusting and easier to wash, it is covered with a porcelain layer on top. On the one hand, this makes it possible to purchase a durable cast-iron bathroom of any color that is easy to clean, on the other hand, you have to take care of the porcelain coating. Over time, it will wear off, and if a microcrack appears in it and water regularly gets on the cast iron, the sink will rust from the inside. It is also important to know that cast iron is very heavy; you will need solid fasteners for it.

Brass sinks have many positive properties. Among them - resistance to corrosion and damage, durability, absence of plaque, beautiful appearance, easy cleaning. There is one drawback of brass products, but a significant one - brass looks old-fashioned. It is only suitable for retro interiors. In a modern bathroom, brass products often look out of place.

Wooden sinks are rare. In some interiors, they are simply necessary and such a product looks extraordinary, but it has more disadvantages than advantages.

The advantage of a wooden sink is that the material is environmentally friendly. If it is a coniferous species, such as larch, it will decontaminate the air and prevent bacteria from forming on the surface of the sink. And bacteria is the biggest problem in bathrooms. Dampness is less problematic, but it will eventually ruin the wooden sink. Even if a product is made not of plywood and recycled materials, but of expensive wood, it will last several times less than a ceramic or glass sink, and will cost more.

The convenience of its use depends on the size of the sink. And a large sink is not always more practical than a small one. But still, it must be of sufficient size in order to use it for its intended purpose and not pour over the entire space around.

The dimensions of the sink are chosen in accordance with the dimensions of the room. There are no strict criteria, but a small sink would be more appropriate in a small bath, and a large one in a spacious one.

The overall dimensions of the sanitary sink are calculated according to the parameters width-depth-height. Width is measured from edge to edge of a piece, depth is measured from outside edge to wall, and height is a measure of how much the bowl is concave inward.

The minimum width of the sink is 30 cm. It looks compact in a small bathroom, but it is inconvenient for operation because splashes fall outside the sink.

A large shell, which is about 100 cm wide, can also be a bad purchase. It looks bulky, needs good support for it, and not all family members are comfortable using it. The exception is designer sinks, in which the width is many times greater than the depth and height.

If you choose a large sink, it is better to prefer a double sink with a distance between the bowls of 50-90 cm.The total width of the two sinks, excluding the distance between them, will be about 120 cm, so this option is intended only for spacious bathrooms.

Double washbasin helps maintain family hygiene the fact that children's accessories are on one side, and adults - on the other, and nothing is confused with each other. It also saves time on getting ready in the morning and teaches children to keep the area designated for their use clean.

The depth of the bowl also matters. The larger it is, the less spray gets outside the sink. It should not be less than 10 cm. The optimal recess for a sink 50-55 cm wide is 15-20 cm.

The shape of the sink is determined by the shape of the bowl. As a rule, it follows the contours of the product itself, with rare exceptions, for example, when the sink is flat or curly, but deep.

The main types of shells are in shape.

• Rectangular. Such a sink can have rounded outer and inner edges, and the very shape of the sink either repeats a rectangle, tapering slightly towards the center, or forms an oval shape.
• Square. A strict geometric faience or marble sink in the bathroom can have a square shape on the outer edge and sinks. Softened corners and deep bowls are typical of kitchen sinks. The deep square sink is convenient for arranging dishes before washing.

• Oval. The oval shape is considered one of the most common. Only the bowl or the entire sink can be oval.
• Round. A beautiful, but not widely used form. The fact is that the larger the diameter of the round sink, the more space is required to install the sink in the bathroom. But it looks original and beautiful.

• Corner. The corner bowl can be square, rectangular, elongated, flat, deep, semicircular, and rounded. It is irrational to put a round or complex-shaped sink in a corner.

• Curly. The unusual shape of the shell is affected only by the material of manufacture. Depending on the design idea, it can be beveled, and resembling a bowl with sharp edges, and egg-shaped, and faceted, and even resembling very specific things. For example, it can be a mug-shaped shell, seashell, multi-level helical structure, asymmetric shell, or any other product.

Curly sinks look interesting and add zest to the bathroom interior, but you need to take into account their features. They are more expensive, require careful handling, are more difficult to wash and will not always be convenient.

The color of the shell, as well as its purpose, is voiced by most people without thinking: white. But this is not the only possible option. Modern technologies for the production of plumbing have ample opportunities, including in the choice of the color of products.

Often the color of the shell depends on the material from which it is made.

Products made from natural stone are rather limited in shades: white, black, graphite, milky, beige, light gray, green, terracotta. Some marble sinks contain blotches of a different color. So, for example, a white shell may have a blue speck.

Sinks made of various metals also do not differ in a rich selection of shades: copper, chrome, silver, bronze, yellow gold, rose gold, brass.

Glass sinks can be completely transparent, black or brighter in color. Colored glass shells are usually made when the glass is opaque.

A wide variety of colors, shades and even patterns are provided by ceramics. Earthenware, porcelain or ceramic sinks can be white, black, red, green, blue and any other color. A brighter or lighter shade is possible, combining two or more colors, applying a simple and complex pattern. Colored ceramics can imitate other materials.

There are several types of sinks by type of installation.

• Suspended. Simple and common type of installation. The hanging sink is mounted on brackets in the wall and does not have a base in the form of a table, cabinet or legs. Such installation is quick and cheap, but care must be taken to ensure that the drain pipes look neat and do not spoil the view.
• On a pedestal. The sink, the dream of all Soviet women, is on a ceramic leg. Due to the peculiarities of its appearance, it has a second name - a tulip shell.

• Embedded. This type of installation solves three problems at once: the sink is fixed at the desired level, the pipe system is closed by the cabinet in which the sink is mounted, and the cabinet itself (cabinet, any other furniture) serves as a storage place for the little things necessary in the bath. The same applies to the kitchen.

• Mortise. They are a kind of embedded. They are attached from the bottom to a worktop or cabinet and look like one piece with the work surface, but are cheaper.
• Overhead or tabletop. This type of shell is usually presented in the form of a bowl, rounded oval, sometimes spherical.Its base is attached to a table, cabinet or stand from above, which is why it is called "tabletop". It looks nice, but not always convenient in terms of functionality.

The scope of use of sanitary sinks is slightly wider than the average user imagines. Several places immediately come to mind where it can be installed: in the bathroom, in the sauna, in the kitchen. However, a sink is not only a “washbasin” for the bathroom and a container for washing dishes in the kitchen area. A device for washing hair in a beauty salon, a surgical washbasin, a sink in a restaurant, or a plumbing fixture in a kindergarten are also different types of sinks with their own functions. The location and appearance of the sink depends on the purpose of the sink.

In addition to the usual plumbing, which is convenient for adults to reach, a children's sink is needed in the bathroom. Thanks to her, the child will quickly learn the techniques of personal hygiene and responsibility for order on their territory.

If there is a disabled person in the family, they need their own comfortable sink for disabled people. It is larger than average in size, has a front edge concave inward and has handrails on one or more sides. It is important to understand that the attachment of such a sink cannot be anything. A built-in sink and a structure on a leg will not work, but a suspended freestanding model will be convenient.

If you cannot find a shell of a suitable shape in the usual department, you can purchase a surgical one in medical equipment. It is also suitable for disabled people.

For those who like to wash their hair not in the shower stall or above the bathtub, but in the sink, a sink with a great depth and a convenient bowl shape will be useful. This design is especially convenient with an individual water heater. It can be used in those moments when hot water is turned off due to preventive maintenance or accidents.

If there is little space in the bathroom and the sink is wall-hung, it is recommended to purchase the “with a wing” version. One of the sides of the shell, elongated in the form of a shelf, acts as a wing.

When a room is designed in a certain style, every detail counts. If we are talking about the bathroom, then all the plumbing in it plays the role of an accessory. With a washbasin of a suitable shape and color, you can highlight the characteristics of different styles.

Canonical classicism is difficult enough to be translated into reality. It originated several centuries ago, when there could be no plastic cabinets, no stretch ceilings, no electric lighting in the bathroom, so it is characterized by excessive luxury and expensive natural materials. Now they can be replaced with modern imitation, but few people will suit such a strict and majestic style of the bathroom.

But if the choice fell on the classics, then for the sink it will be relevant to use white or light marble, artificial stone, beautiful porcelain. Plumbing should be chosen in a golden color, and accessories (soap dishes, hangers, cabinets) with elements of classic decor. Beautiful furniture with curly legs and a large bathtub of an unusual shape will help to maintain the entourage.

The classic style looks pretty, but is expensive and does not fit into the small bathrooms of new buildings. For small rooms, minimalism is more relevant. Simple and clear geometric lines and the absence of unnecessary accessories are welcomed in it. It is relevant to use a white, steel or black sink with a "smart" water supply system. Built-in sinks look good, since the cabinet under them makes it possible to hide from prying eyes all the bright jars and products that are inappropriate in minimalism.

Technological hi-tech is close to the asceticism of minimalism. It is very suitable for small rooms where a modern shower cabin is installed instead of a bathroom.

A distinctive feature of a high-tech bathroom is the presence of an unusual sink shape, glass and metal surfaces. For example, a flat glass sink, a chrome faucet with motion or heat sensors, soap dishes, dispensers and chrome handrails will look perfect.

Minimalist styles look too boring without a personal touch. It can be brought in by design elements of decor in small quantities or by a bright accessory that attracts attention with its color or shape. It could be the shell itself. For example, a gray-glass hi-tech will perfectly complement a glossy red sink or bathtub.

The Japanese-style bathtub is simply and beautifully designed. A white rounded sink, accessories with Asian themed designs and built-in furniture are appropriate here. The sink itself can be either built-in or tabletop. Unusual taps that imitate stones and water pouring from them look good in Japanese style.

Loft-style sinks look original. It uses industrial features and rough materials, so the sink can look like a large steel funnel, or a round natural stone bowl. Thick glass products are appropriate.

For more romantic natures, Provence-style bathrooms are suitable. The sink and bathtub can be frivolously pink, purple or lilac. Complement them with floral accessories and soft towels.

A clean style can be difficult to recreate with your own hands, which is why more and more pseudo-styles are emerging. For example, the design of a spa-style bathroom is popular, where beautiful plumbing in delicate shades, flowers and textile decor prevail. Marine style is no less in demand. Here the shell can have a shade of blue, green or turquoise, in the color of aqua, or completely repeat the look of the shell. From accessories used everything related to the marine theme.

Whatever the style and design of the sink, its beauty is not enough to function properly. It is necessary to purchase all the components for the system to work properly.

Washbasin accessories include all fasteners, hose, pipes, adapter rings, siphon. If we consider the system as a whole with the crane, then mixers and all elements are needed for the normal functioning of the crane. In some cases, the package includes a handrail or several handrails. As a rule, this applies to plumbing for people with disabilities.

An obligatory element of the kit is a drain plug. It can be in the form of a rubber stopper or a built-in, manually operated mechanism. Also, do not forget that large debris does not always pass through the pipes unhindered, so the drain must be protected from debris by a nylon, plastic or steel strainer. One strainer can be supplied immediately, but it is better to purchase several spare pieces.

Some washbasins are designed to use identical style soap dishes and dispenser bottles. Some manufacturers already sell them all together, and some offer to assemble a set of several parts of different colors and materials.

There are various factors to consider when choosing a sink.

• Correspondence of the shape and size of the product to the size of the bathroom and the purpose of the sink. For small rooms, it is wiser to choose a hanging corner model or a "water lily" with a special water drainage system that can be placed above the washing machine.
• Compliance with the state standard. It regulates important points, and some need to be paid attention to first.So, all plumbing should have a sound-absorbing coating on the outside. High-quality internal coating - smooth, without irregularities and chips, with a roughness of no more than 0.30 microns. Manufacturer's warranty is required. Without it, the product cannot be returned or exchanged if a defect is found.

• Product durability. In the first place in terms of strength are metal sinks, in the last place - earthenware and glass.
• Coating type. The sink is used constantly, so it is important that the inside of the material is resistant to constant exposure to water and household chemicals. The same cannot be said for copper, brass and marble products.
• Antibacterial properties. In this respect, porcelain plumbing is good.
• Resistant to moisture and temperature extremes. Different materials in one way or another suffer from constant contact with water and switching water from cold to hot and vice versa. Artificial stone is least damaged under such conditions.

• The weight. There should be a good base underneath a heavy sink. Stone, ceramic and cast iron products are of great weight. Thin shells made of stainless steel, brass, wood are considered light.
• The design of the sink should be in harmony with the room in the bathroom or kitchen.
• If the sink uses a drain plug, an overhead drain must be provided. He will not allow water to flow over the sides of the sink and cause a flood if someone from the household forgets about the turned on tap.
• It is worth purchasing plumbing only from a trusted manufacturer.

The reputation of the manufacturer is an important factor when choosing a plumbing fixture. Italian and Turkish products are popular on the Russian market, and several domestic manufacturers have also won the trust.

Among Italian manufacturers, the plumbing fixtures of the company receive positive reviews. Hatria... The company produces classic ceramics mainly in white. Some of the lines feature innovative designs. Russian buyers liked the excellent quality of the product and its appearance. Plumbing is easy to clean, does not chip, does not turn yellow and justifies the money invested in it. The price segment is above average.

Another Italian manufacturer - Migliore - creates plumbing that is luxurious in style, design and quality. It organically fits into classic interiors and serves for many years. Many consider the disadvantage to be an excessively high price, as well as a high risk of acquiring a fake from a well-known manufacturer.

The top three Italian leaders also include sanitary ware of the brand Gid.

Plumbing from a Turkish manufacturer Vitra is also assessed by buyers mainly from positive sides. They praise the entire range of the manufacturer, not only sinks, but also accessories. No obvious flaws have been identified, but when ordering through online stores, it should be borne in mind that the color of the product may differ slightly from the picture on the website.

Noteworthy Belgian Ideal Standard with its sanitary ware and sanitary ware, made according to modern design solutions.

Buyers call the company's products convenient, beautiful and inexpensive plumbing. Dreja... Also, among Russian manufacturers, the products of firms are popular. Sanita Luxe, Della, Aquaton, Obi, Aquatex... With a quality that is not inferior to European manufacturers, they are cheaper and belong to the economy class.

Any plumbing, even from the most conscientious manufacturer, requires maintenance, preventive checks, and sometimes repairs. Following simple recommendations for every day will help extend the life of the sink in its original form.

The outer coating of a shell is damaged usually for two reasons: mechanical stress and the use of unsuitable household chemicals.To avoid chips, cracks and other damage, you need to position soap dishes and shelves in such a way that they come into contact with the surface of the sink as little as possible.

Do not leave dirty dishes in the kitchen sink; they can cause scratches and dark spots.

Once a month, it is recommended to cover stainless steel or brass sinks with a special protective compound, which forms a thin film on the surface of the product that is resistant to minor scratches.

Once a week, you need to clean the sink from plaque and dirt. To do this, you need to carefully select a cleaning agent that is suitable for a particular material.

The most capricious in this regard is the copper sink. It does not tolerate contact with aggressive household chemicals, abrasive substances and many types of cleaning agents. Any liquid products with a mild effect are suitable for ceramic sinks, and for steel sinks it is better to choose ready-made napkins, and then wipe their surface with a dry towel.

Kitchen and bathroom sinks are sometimes clogged with large debris. The characteristic signs of this are that water gurgles in the drain and leaves more slowly than usual from the bowl of the sink. This means it's time to clean it up.

They clean the sink in a variety of ways. You can disassemble the pipe in the place where the "knee" is located and clean out the debris, you can pull it out with a special cleaning device for plumbing with a chain nozzle at the end, or simply fill it with a chemical solution that will break down grease and debris that prevents water from flowing through the pipes normally in a few hours ...

Both a small and cheap and a large and expensive sink can look beautiful in the bathroom or in the kitchen, if it is selected correctly.

There are several tried-and-true ways to make a sink look beautiful: use the flaws in the layout to turn them into an advantage, choose an unusual shape, color, material or design for your bathroom fixtures.

Corner sinks and minimalist thin products help to "stretch" the uncomfortable layout. Bivalve sinks in the corner look practical and aesthetically pleasing. They save space and fill voids in the room. The sinks of the type built into the console work in the same way.

An unusual shape, for example, a two-tone seashell-shaped shell, will add originality to the interior.

A bright color in a monochrome interior - red, yellow, green, or even a sink with a pattern attracts attention and gives the room individuality.

From unusual materials, it is worth taking a closer look at glass, wood and imitation wood from synthetic raw materials. With their help, you can add zest to the room and embody even such a complex style as country and loft in the bathroom.

An unusual design can also become a bright accent: a sink in a retro style, in the shape of a waterfall, or a product according to an individual sketch to order.

For information on how to choose a sink, see the next video.