Have you been wondering what your bathroom sink is made from? Many people have the same question as you!
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to what your bathroom sink is made from, as there are many different materials used to compose these items.
The material will depend on the functionality of the product, the aesthetics that you were going for, as well as price.
Today we are going to be exploring the different types of materials that your bathroom sink could be made from.
Bathroom Sink Common Materials
A bathroom sink (see also ‘How To Replace A Drain In The Bathroom Sink The Right Way‘) needs to be durable and long lasting, so needs a material that will live up to such expectations.
For example, china and enameled cast iron are excellent options due to their sturdiness. The latter might be the most durable thanks to its resistance to smashing.
These are not the only materials that can be used for your bathroom sink, however.
Other popular options are enameled steel, acrylic, stone, tempered glass, or even wood.
Most of these synthetic materials come in plenty of different colors to customize your bathroom.
Enameled metals and china can be dyed to any color, allowing you to choose a sink perfectly inline with your bathroom design.
Tempered glass can also be colored, although it will be much less opaque than other colored sinks.
This type of sink tends to have color swirled into it rather than be a fully solid color. This is more for design purposes.
Natural materials will not be colored to keep their rustic look about them.
Stone sinks, however, tend to vary in color anyway as there are so many different types of stone to choose from.
Wood sinks can also be stained to create a slightly different wooden color.
Metal sinks can come in steel, bronze, or copper colors but you will not be able to find a synthetic color on the market.
What Material Is Your Sink Made From?
Most bathroom sinks will be made of ceramic or porcelain, although some can be made from less common materials such as metal, wood, and stone.
Let’s take a look at how you can determine which material your sink is made from.
First of all, metal sinks are very easy to distinguish from the rest as they have a very distinct look about them.
No matter if they’re bronze, steel, or copper – you’re most likely going to be able to determine the material through their defining feel, coloring, and shine.
Stone sinks are also quite obvious, as they can be made from marble, onyx, granite, or another type of natural stone.
Look for a gritty texture and stone-like colors to give you a hint that your sink is made from stone.
Again, glass sinks are quickly identified thanks to the transparency of the sink.
However, it might be harder to distinguish a glass sink with a metal sink if the glass is dark in color and there are dark colors swirled within it.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that their sinks are metal when really they’re tempered glass.
If you’re still unsure of what your sink is made out of, the best way to find out is to check the packaging that it came in.
The label on this should inform you of the material it is made from.
Alternatively, the label should also give you the model number to search online to give you the material it’s made from.
If you cannot find the model number on the original packaging, locate the manufacturer for the sink and head to their website.
You should be able to find your sink within their products page. This will hopefully tell you the material it’s made from.
Finally, if all else fails, contact the manufacturer directly and ask them about your sink’s composition.
Which Is Best: Ceramic Or Porcelain?
At a first glance, both ceramic and porcelain look exactly the same.
While they are both a type of china, they both have different benefits and drawbacks which might sway your decision when it comes to choosing your bathroom sink.
Ceramic is made from clay powder and water. The mixture will then be either fitted into a mold or hand-shaped to form the sink.
Now the final form will be treated with extreme heat to ensure that it is resistant to scratches, chips, or breakage.
Porcelain is made from a finer mixture of clay than ceramic.
It is shaped and baked within a kiln to compress the clay under a high pressure. This ensures that the final result is extremely long lasting and durable.
Choosing the best from ceramic and porcelain is a difficult feat as they are both so similar.
They are both very durable and reliable, and come with similar price points.
We would recommend finding a sink that you like from either of these materials to ensure that your sink is going to last you a lifetime.
Is Your Sink Made From Ceramic Or Porcelain?
Just like these two materials are very similar, it can be very difficult to differentiate between the two.
By looking at a sink made from these two materials, it can be almost impossible to tell them apart.
For this reason, the best thing to do is to find the model number on the original packaging and search the internet for it.
A quick search with the correct model number should bring your sink up within seconds, allowing you to find its true material very quickly.
Choosing The Most Popular Material For A Bathroom Sink
If you’re not too worried about the aesthetics of your bathroom sink, you might just want to opt for the most popular material that everyone goes for.
This is a smart idea, as the most popular choice of sink is most likely going to be the longest lasting and the most durable, so you know you’re getting a high quality option.
Ceramic and porcelain sinks are incredibly popular right now, and they have been for decades.
They are extremely durable, robust, and come with impressively low price points.
If you want to go for a reliable and simple sink, then one of these materials would work well for you.
Another popular material for bathroom sinks is vitreous china. This is a porcelain sink with a glaze over the top of it.
The glaze makes the porcelain look more highly polished and rich, improving the overall appearance of your bathroom.
These sinks still have all of the beneficial properties of a porcelain sink, just with a more expensive appearance.
One material that is quickly growing in popularity for its use within bathrooms is stainless steel. Stainless steel sinks (see also ‘How To Drill A Hole In A Stainless Steel Sink‘) are durable, stain resistant, and unique.
While you’ll often find a stainless steel sink in the kitchen, why not put one in your bathroom too?
Benefits And Drawbacks For Sink Materials
Each material that you’re considering for your bathroom sink will have its own set of pros and cons.
Before coming to a final decision on which sink to buy, it’s important to check the benefits and drawbacks so that you’re not accidentally choosing a material that won’t fit into your lifestyle.
Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of the most common materials for bathroom sinks.
| Material | Benefits | Drawbacks |
| Vitreous China | – Low price point – Great durability – Improved appearance thanks to gloss | – Damage is noticeable – Could be damaged during installation |
| Ceramic/ Porcelain | – Reliable and sturdy – Impressive price point – Less noticeable once chipped than China | – Can stain easily – Heavy and cumbersome |
| Stainless Steel | – Very lightweight and easy to install – Resistant to stains – Great durability | – Can be scratched easily – More difficult to clean |
| Acrylic | – Additional strength from fiberglass reinforcement – Quick and easy to install – Lightweight | – Prone to scratches – Might not last as long as ceramic/ porcelain |
| Enameled Steel | – Lightweight and cheap – Excellent for undermount sinks | – Prone to cracks and chips – Might be too malleable |
| Tempered Glass | – Looks amazing in the bathroom and gives it an expensive feel | – Easy to break – Expensive price point |
| Stone | – Great durability – Doesn’t stain easily | – Very heavy – Expensive price point – Might require many people to install |
| Solid Surface | – Comes in lots of different colors – Durable thanks to solid construction | – Can be expensive – Prone to scratching |
Summary
We hope that our article has helped you determine what your bathroom sink is made from.
The easiest way to find this information, if it is not already clear from the appearance of your sink, is to look for the model number on the original packaging.
You can then use this information to find your bathroom sink online, which will tell you what material it is made from. Good luck!
