WHAT IS A VESSEL SINK ? A vessel sink is a sink that sits on top of the vanity countertop. Vessel sinks are a popular choice for many contemporary looking bathrooms. Here is a guide with some pros and cons of a vessel sink that might help you with finalizing your sink selection for your bathroom.

VESSEL SINK PROS:

STATEMENT PIECE.
One of the most exciting design concepts and focal points in your bathroom is your sink! With so many different configurations and styles, vessel sinks provide an opportunity to get creative with your sink selection that will make your bathroom design unique!  Vessel sinks are also favored by many designers and are often featured in design magazines, used in high-end homes and luxury hotels.

VERSATILE.
Perhaps overtime you decide you want to try a different sink shape or update your sink style to keep up with the changing trends. In this case your switch to any other vessel sink can easily be done! Unlike under-mount sinks with which your switch will be much more complicated and most likely require your countertop to get re-fabricated or changed in order to fit a different under-mount sink. 

LESS SPLASHING.
Some people believe that vessel sinks will cause more water splashing, however with properly matched and correctly installed faucet it actually does the very opposite! Since a vessel bowl stands higher, the walls of the vessel sink help to block the water splashes from escaping unto the counter. Many of our customers have noticed that installing a vessel sink helped their countertops and mirrors to stay more dry and clean from water splashes.

EASY INSTALLATION. Vessel sinks are the easiest type of sink to install, as they don’t need specific countertop cut-out dimensions or any support clips like under-mount sink would need. Vessel sink installation only requires a small hole to be drilled in order to install the vessel sink drain and some silicone adhesive to glue it down to the counter.

VARYING HEIGHT. Vessel sinks come in multiple heights, which make it easy to pick out a sink that accommodates household members of varying heights. With an undermount sink, the height is limited to that of the counter height—but a vessel sink’s height can range between three to six inches. If you have a floating vanity you also have an option to adjust the the height of the vanity to fit any sink height.

SAVE MONEY ON COUNTERTOP FABRICATION.  Vessel sinks only need a single hole cutout in your countertop for the drain with no polishing involved. This is usually done by fabricators at no cost, unlike undermout sinks that require polishing and therefore additional charge from the fabricators.

MORE CABINET STORAGE. 
With vessel sinks you actually win more storage space inside your cabinet because a sink is not installed underneath it is not in the way so you are able to stack higher items in your drawers and therefore fit more things. 

FITS 21” AND 18” DEEP VANITIES.                                                                                                Vessel sinks are able to fit 21” and 18” deep vanities. They could be moved closer to the edge of the counter, unlike under-mount sinks that have to sit further so they interfere with the cabinet. Most of the vessel sinks can also accommodate with having a faucet on the corner or side of the sink.

VESSEL SINK CONS

LESS COUNTER SPACE. 
Since vessel sinks sit on top of the countertop and are typically more bulkier in size with its unique shapes which may take up a little more room from your counter space.

CLEANABILITY. A vessel sink may require a little more cleaning due to its two-sided appearance. However ceramic vessel sinks are very durable, easy to wipe and hard to stain!

NO OVERFLOW.  A lot of vessel sinks are designed to have a thin edge on top to appear slick and neat. In order for them to have that nice thin edge on top, vessel sinks do not come with an overflow hole. Sinks do not necessarily need an overflow, but if you accidentally leave water running and drain closed, water will overflow over the sink. Keep in mind vessel sinks require a different drain than the under-mount sinks. While under-mount sinks receive a drain “with overflow” a right drain for your vessel sinks are the once with “no overflow.”  

NOT FIT FOR ALL VANITIES. 
Setting a vessel sink on top of a standard height vanity may result in a sink that is much too high. The height of the vanity needs to be low enough so that the installed sink height is somewhere between 30 to 36 inches. Since vessel sinks come in many different shapes and heights, some vessel sinks will perfectly fit a standard height cabinet and not be too tall for it. However many other vessel sinks will be too high and not comfortable to use especially for those who are shorter in height. While floating vanities can easily be lowered or raised to a level that will work for your sink and design, standard standing cabinets cannot be adjusted. 

NEEDS A TALLER FAUCET. Since vessel sinks are tall they require a tall vessel faucet high enough for that the sink to be comfortable to use. Tall faucets normally cost a little more than regular height faucets. You may also get a wall faucet for your vessel sink which will require a little more plumbing changes.