Premium Bathroom Basin Materials To Match Your Home Design

Bathroom basins – couldn’t be more straightforward, right? We’ve all used them, we all know what they’re made of. But hold up for a minute. It may just be the case that there are one or two surprises out there. So, if you’re considering a renovation and you’re checking out bathroom fittings, it might be worth your while having a quick look to see what’s available, before you take the plunge. 

Boom time for basins

Not so long ago, you had just a couple of choices when it came to bathroom materials. Perennial favourite porcelain (usually a veneer over cast iron) and new kid in the bath plastic. However, the last few years have seen an explosion in terms of the range of materials you can select from. The net result has been a tremendous growth in possibilities for your bathroom. 

What materials are best for basins? Depends what’s most important to you. Appearance? Durability? Cost? Sustainability? Bit of everything? 

In this piece we’ll look at no fewer than eight different materials used for basins, so there should be something for you. Come and see. 

Porcelain

As mentioned, this type of ceramic’s been the sink supremo for a while. Why? Mainly because of its elegant appearance and wear qualities. For some people, a bathroom’s not a bathroom without some chunks of porcelain in there. How you feel about this is down to personal taste, but among the list of thinga that porcelain does deliver is reasonable value for money. 

Cool timeless ceramic sinks are justifiably popular. It’s a tried and tested choice and it probably won’t break the bank. Won’t damage the planet either, as most porcelainware is recyclable. 

Do check out other ceramic options too, such as stoneware. There might be some varieties that chime nicely with the overall bathroom feel you’re going for. 

Acrylic

What are cheap bathroom sinks made of? Often it’s acrylic. 

This is the plastic that we mentioned. Not quite the youngster it once was, acrylic has worked its way into a great many bathrooms, courtesy of its versatility, durability and affordability. It might surprise you to learn that it’s usually recyclable too. 

One word of warning – acrylic’s a thermoplastic, which means it’s vulnerable to heat. So, if you’re planning on having any hotspots in there, it might result in a deformed sink. Curling tong sessions should be carefully managed, as should any bouts of fire juggling and cigar smoking. And barbecues in there are probably a no-no, I’m afraid. 

Natural stone

For statement sinks, natural stone speaks volumes. Stone rocks. You really can’t get a boulder – sorry, bolder – basin. 

You start by selecting the type of stone you want to use, be it marble, granite or slate, for instance. The solid stone is then carved into the basin shape and you’ve got yourself a unique piece of art. The uniqueness stems from the features of that particular section of stone. There’ll be veins and patterns boasted by no other basin. 

You’ll have guessed by now that this is not a cheap route to take. What’s more, in all honesty stone can be a pain to keep clean. It tends to be porous, so you have to have the right products, and it can get stained very easily. So, it’s a high impact piece for people who don’t mind putting in the care time. 

If only there were a solution for those who like the look but mind the maintenance…

Artificial stone

So, you want the quarried feel, but you also have a life to live outside the bathroom. The answer for you is artificial stone. It’s a hardwearing compound of cement and small stones. OK, it might not have the monolithic nature of natural stone but it has an industrial appeal all of its own. And well-polished concrete is a great look. 

Timber

Surely, when it comes to being porous, wood’s the winner. So why on earth would you want a sink made out of its utter sponginess? The answer is that you need to pick the right type of timber, and give it some resin. Resin’s the reason wood resonates. 

By treating a nice solid wood like teak, you end up with a surface that is almost as water-tight as it is wonderful to look at. This makes it a good contender for best material for wash basin construction. It can look especially stunning with the right tapware. 

As with stone, you might want to lay off some cleaners, and you will in all likelihood need to apply treatment again in due course, but one of the best things about wood is that it’s totally natural, so the planet applauds its selection. Also, should you damage a small section, you can usually sand the problem out. Overall, you can’t argue with the look and feel of wood, so might be worth branching out and giving it a try. 

Tempered glass

Strength and visual impact is what you get with this gear. It’s easy to clean, being acid resistant so you can bring in the big guns to send those stains packing. The range of looks you can get with tempered glass is super-impressive, with a rainbow of colours being available in matte or crystal finish. 

So, if you have a very particular palette in mind with your bathroom, tempered glass can be a clear winner. You can have opaque as well. Just so you know. 

Steel

A steel sink can give you an uber-utilitarian look, so if you want to explore an industrial vibe, or just want to pretend that you live in a hospital, you might want to show your mettle and give stainless steel a go. It doesn’t have to be just for kitchens. In a bathroom, it can be a daring move. 

It’s probably the most durable sink material – it has all the strength you’d expect. But it doesn’t have to be all about the baldly basic basin. You can combine steel with ceramic for an exquisitely stylish look that’s also antibacterial and hardwearing. 

Mineral lacarga

An unusual one to finish with. This is a resin material that is available in a rainbow of colours. It’s a little less glossy than ceramic, but it does have shockproofing on its side. You can tell it anything. 

It has a warm feel, comes in a good range of colours and you can use just about any cleaning product on it. And should the worst happen and a scratch appear, it’s readily repairable. 

Racin’ for a basin

So now you have a good grasp of bathroom sink materials’ pros and cons, you can start thinking about the basin of your dreams. The truth is, sinks don’t have to be standard. You can get one to bowl you over at The Plumbing Store. They’ll give you the goods. With no soft soap.