Washbasins

Bathroom washbasins come in just about every shape, colour and size you can imagine, but your selection will be made according to a logical blend of design and function. You might like the notion of a minimal ceramic basin that appears to float out from the wall with hardly any visible means of support, but this choice will only be possible if the structure of the bathroom wall is sufficiently strong to support a wall-hung basin. Start by finding out about the structure of your bathroom walls. Then decide which of the three basic basin types (pedestal, wall-hung or counter-top) you want, and see if this type comes in the shape, size, form and material that you have in mind. A successful installation depends on having a clear understanding of the options – precisely which type you are taking out, which type you are putting in, how the pipes run, how the set-up sits in relation to the room, and so on.

The Expert Points below will describe some of the options and show you how to get it right. Time spent researching all the available options is time well spent.

BASIN TYPE
If you are replacing an existing basin, it is easiest to fit one of the same type (but not necessarily the same colour or form).

ASSESS THE WALLS
Have a poke around in your bathroom. Find out about the structure of the walls — especially the wall where the basin is to be placed. If you have any doubts about the solidity or condition of the walls you can fit freestanding units.

SOLID WALLS
Solid walls are great for wall-hung basins, where the plumbing is to be mounted on the surface, but they are a problem if you won’t to conceal all the pipes. But then again, you can always make a feature of the pipes.

HOLLOW WALLS
J Hollow plasterboard walls are good for hiding pipes, but not so good if you want to have a wall-hung basin.

JP EDESTAL BASINS
A pedestal basin is a good option in that the pedestal not only supports the weight of the basin, it also conceals all the untidiness of the pipes behind it.

WALL-HUNG BASINS
Wall-hung basins ore a good option for small rooms where there is a shortage of Floor space — because you can mount the basin so that it partially hangs over the bath. However you must assess the walls.

WALL-HUNG CORNER BASINS
Miniature wall-hung corner basins are a good choice on two counts — they are ideal for very small roams, and can be fitted both to solid walls and hollow timber and plaster walls, so are ideal for any situation.

COUNTER TOP BASINS
Counter-top basins are a great idea in large bathroom, when you want to both conceal all the pipe work and have extra storage space under the basin.

FITTING A PEDESTAL BASIN

If you won’t to fit a washbasin in the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible cost, a small pedestal basin is the easiest option. The pedestal does push the price above that of a wall-hung basin of the same size, but it cuts down on the amount of work that will be involved in fixing the basin securely to the wall.

FITTING A COUNTERTOP BASIN
Counter-top basins are freestanding, with their weight being taken by the structure of the cabinet, so can be fitted independently of the walls.