| As the popularity of vessel sinks has grown, so has | | | | of 5" - 6" if the vessel is larger for stability. Use clear |
| the number of beautifully hand-crafted products that | | | | silicone to provide cushion and stability when mounting |
| practically demand exhibition. By sitting entirely | | | | the sink. If you want to lower the level of the sink you |
| above-counter, vessel sinks can be displayed for their | | | | can simply enlarge the hole. The larger the hole, the |
| beauty as well as their functionality. The great thing | | | | more stability you will achieve in the installation. To |
| about vessel sinks is they are not reserved for use in | | | | experiment with the size of the hole, use a piece of |
| any one type of bathroom. Modern designs, | | | | cardboard. Start with a smaller size - say 3" - and |
| conservative spaces, rustic décor and | | | | work your way up. This will give you a visual as to |
| everything in between can all be enhanced by a | | | | how far down the vessel will be relative to the counter |
| vessel sink. Thus, the aesthetic this type of sink | | | | throughout the size range that you choose. Be sure to |
| accommodates is rather extensive. | | | | keep the height of the faucet you have chosen in mind |
| A vessel can be installed sitting on the countertop | | | | when making these decisions. |
| ("above counter mounting) or it can be sunk down up | | | | Whichever mounting method you use, you will want to |
| to a third or even half of its height. Some vessels are | | | | install the drain in the vessel before installing the sink to |
| actually a hybrid of a drop-in style sink and a vessel - | | | | the counter surface. Drains for vessel sinks come in |
| i.e. they are designed to partially sit above the | | | | two basic configurations. Does your vessel have an |
| countertop. | | | | overflow? If so, you will need a standard drain. |
| For an above counter installation, you will need a hole | | | | However, most vessel sinks do not have an overflow |
| that is large enough to accommodate the drain | | | | and will need a "vessel style drain". Vessel drains |
| assembly. This is the plumbing hardware that allows | | | | come in many different styles and finishes. These |
| the sink to drain the water. If the bottom of your | | | | drains do not have a "pop up" assembly. Some are |
| vessel is flat, then the installation is straightforward. The | | | | referred to as "grid drains" (referring to the "grid |
| only thing we would recommend is a bead of silicone | | | | configuration" on the top of the drain). Grid drains were |
| under the sink and around the edge to prevent water | | | | designed to let the water flow out of the basin but |
| on the countertop from working its way underneath | | | | catch larger objects from heading down the drain. |
| the vessel. If the vessel has a rounded shape - as with | | | | A special caution for glass vessel sinks. If you are |
| most glass vessel sinks - you have two options. You | | | | installing a glass vessel, be sure to provide a cushion |
| can either use a vessel mounting ring (sometimes | | | | between the glass and the counter. This can simply be |
| these are provided with the sink) or you will need to | | | | a bead of silicone or you may want to line the hole in |
| provide a mounting hole directly in the countertop. | | | | your counter with a small piece of rubber material. In |
| Mounting rings for vessel sinks can be easily found at | | | | addition, be sure that you don't over tighten the drain |
| most home centers or online. They usually come in | | | | assembly. Hand tighten only and follow the |
| several finishes that you can match to your faucet | | | | manufacturer's instructions. The breakage we see with |
| and drain. A vessel mounting ring elevates the sink | | | | glass vessels is usually associated with an improper |
| from the countertop and helps with the stability and | | | | installation of the drain. |
| seal of the sink. | | | | To see hundreds of artisan crafted and designer |
| Due to design considerations, a mounting ring is not | | | | vessel sinks, please visit Sinks Gallery. You will find not |
| always desirable. If you want to mount the vessel | | | | only glass vessel sinks, but sinks in granite, marble, |
| directly into the countertop, you will need a hole that is | | | | onyx, copper, bronze, hand painted ceramic and even |
| at least 3" in diameter with a beveled edge in the | | | | wood. Or simply call them 1-877-320-0800. They will be |
| countertop material to accommodate the shape of the | | | | happy to answer any other questions you might have. |
| bowl. You may want the hole to be more in the range | | | | |