Are you still stuck on finding out what is a utility sink and if you really need one or not? Well, it’s never too late to learn, isn’t it?
Don’t you have a sink in your laundry room that, most probably you have been calling as your laundry sink? If have a deep one made of acrylic or porcelain where you are cleaning your clothes or bathing your favorite pet then this is a utility sink that you are already using. One thing about the utility sink is that, most of the people who are using it have fallen in love with it.
Since you have come here, you will also fall in love with the utility sink when you will get to know about it, its materials, types, uses, benefits, and more. And along with a utility sink, don’t you need a faucet if you already do not have a good one?
Nothing to worry! We have some interesting tips on that too. So, aren’t you being curious to know about all these things on utility sink? If yes, then why don’t we start with a better and broad definition of it?
Table of Contents
- 1 What is a Utility Sink?
- 2 What are the Uses or Benefits of Utility Sink?
- 2.1 Best faucets for utility sink
- 2.2 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- 2.2.1 Question-1: What is rim?
- 2.2.2 Question-2: What is enamel?
- 2.2.3 Question-3: What is the best utility sink material?
- 2.2.4 Question-4: Can I use a utility sink for washing my hands?
- 2.2.5 Question-5: Why is a utility sink used in a salon?
- 2.2.6 Question-6: What is the use of utility sink in restaurants?
- 3 Money Can Buy Happiness…
What is a Utility Sink?
Oh, can I mind to ask you a question please?
Do you have a laundry room?
And does it have a floor or countertop mounted sink consisting of a deep tub?
If yes, then most probably you call it a laundry sink.
Well! We don’t know whether you will be surprised or happy or shocked, but the sink which is familiar to you as a laundry sink is also addressed as a utility sink.
Now, you must be thinking that what is the reason behind naming the laundry sink as a utility sink, right?
Great! We’ve covered your question below.
Why is it called a Utility Sink?
Okay, let me ask you a question!
What do we understand by the word “utility”?
As we know, the word “utility” means the state of being useful or beneficial. So, as the laundry sink is not only used for laundry work but it has also got some other uses and benefits. Therefore, it is called a utility sink.
And this sink deserves the title “utility”.
Things to Consider…
While buying the perfect sink for your laundry room space or normal space:
There are three most important things which are needed to be considered while buying a utility sink.
These are: Installation style, Material, and physical Features.
What are the types of utility sinks? Or, installation styles.
It is very important to know about the types of the utility sinks for installing the right type of utility sink according to your need and laundry room space.
A utility sink is available in a variety of styles in terms of installation style.
Mostly, five styles for installation of utility basin are available:
- Floor mount utility sink
- Under mount utility sink
- Drop in sink
- Wall mount utility sinks
- Portable utility sink
Below these installation methods are described briefly for your ease of understanding.
Floor Mount Utility Sink:
This sink is also known as a freestanding utility sink and floor standing utility sink. The name itself reveals the installation style of this sink.
A floor mount utility sink doesn’t need the support of any countertop as it has its own legs and can be fixed at any place where there is a plumbing lines facility.
And yes, they are available in small to large sizes.
Under Mount Utility Sink
Undermount utility sink is a type of sink which doesn’t contain any rim or outer edge. It is completely attached to the countertop. And the “no rim” feature of this sink makes it more comfortable to use.
Because rim or outer edges of a sink sometimes become an obstacle in the path of countertop cleaning and also the small dusts gets inside the border of the rim which makes the sink space look ugly.
So, because of the “no rim” feature of the undermount utility sink, you can easily clean the mess and dirt of the countertop.
Wall Mount Utility Sink
Wall mount utility sinks are best for basement installation. Because similar to the floor mount utility sink, this sink also doesn’t need the support of any countertop; means you can fit this directly into the wall studs.
Moreover, you can easily mount this sink in a place where there is less space and there is no countertop.
Self-Rimming or Drop-in Utility Sink
Drop-in utility sink has the opposite feature of under mount utility sink, which is the “rim” feature.
The drop-in utility sink has the rim with it which remains above the countertop and the tub of the sink remains under the countertop. For installing the drop-in utility sink you have to make a countertop, attach the best utility sink faucet and plumbing lines.
And, this drop-in utility sink also got some other names called “self-rimming” and “over mount”.
Portable Utility Sink
Portable!
This means, it can be carried out wherever you want.
Portable utility sinks are found with wheeled carts or with light steel or plastic stands for moving from one place to another easily. You can easily carry and mount them to the plumbing line’s place without any hardship.
Let me make you understand by giving few examples:
Portable utility sinks are easily found in beauty parlors, salons, construction sites, and more.
What is Utility Sinks made of? (Materials)
Besides the installation style, utility sinks are also of different types in respect of material.
After selecting a particular design (installation style) utility sink, you have to consider the material of that sink.
Each different material utility sink has got its own Cons and pros. I mean advantage and disadvantage!
Some common utility sink materials are:
Acrylic
Acrylic utility sinks are the most popular kind of sink or basin. It is widely used by the gardeners or DIYers because of its lightweight, durable and cost-effective nature.
The pros of Acrylic utility sinks are that they are stain and scratch resistant but the downside or cons of this sink is that it is not that much heat resistant.
Warning: Avoid using abrasive cleaners on these sinks.
Porcelain
Needless to say, porcelain is a specialized type of ceramic which is a very strong material.
Pros of porcelain utility basin:
- Porcelain or ceramic laundry sinks are highly durable
- They are heat-resistant because they are treated with heat.
- It is found in a variety of colors
- The porcelain utility sink is of low maintenance.
- It lasts for a longer period of time.
Cons of porcelain utility basin or sink:
- The porcelain sink is prone to cracking and chipping.
- It is comparatively the heaviest sink than other materials
- This type of sinks is not stain resistant.
Enameled Cast Iron
Enameled cast iron is one of the strongest sinks available which is always ready to handle heavy works. And mostly, white enamel-covered cast iron is found.
Pros of Enameled cast iron sink:
- It can handle heavy duty work or rough use.
- It is heat and stain resistant
- And, they can take prolonged exposure to harsh bleach or cleaners.
Cons:
- If dropped something heavy over the enamel, it will get broken or chipped off.
- Enameled cast iron sinks are very heavy and need to be supported strongly.
Stainless Steel
The number of pros of stainless steel is definitely higher than the number of cons.
Pros:
- Stainless steel sink is adaptive for any kind of environment.
- They are heat resistant, stain resistant, chemical resistant, and rust resistant.
- They have high and long durability
- Stainless steel is low maintenance
Cons:
- Stainless steel can get scratched easily
- They make a sound when gets hit by the water
Plastic
Plastic sinks are mostly used as the portable sinks.
Let’s look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
- They are easy to clean
- Are lightweight and cost effective
Cons:
- They are not heat resistant and chemical resistant.
- And they are not highly durable
Size of Utility Sink
After considering the installing style and material of a utility sink, you have to choose the size of the sink according to your need and space.
Lengthwise, they come in a rectangular or square shape and there is no definite measurement.
But in terms of depth, they are available from 10 inches up to 25 inches.
Price of Laundry Sinks or Basins
There is no fixed price for laundry basins because the price of a basin depends on the installation style and material of that particular item. And depending on the type of installation method and material of the sink, the price can range either higher or lower.
But the average price range of a sink is about $100.
What are the Uses or Benefits of Utility Sink?
The name of the sink itself tells that there are lots of uses of it. Whoever named the laundry sink as a utility sink must have been a very intelligent person.
Because laundry sink got a lot of uses, which are:
- Laundry sink can be used for cleaning clothes, dishes, and also gardening tools.
- Big utility sinks can also be used to give your pets a nice and fresh bath.
- Utility sinks are used in the restaurants as the kitchen sink or sanitation sink basin.
- And these sinks are also used for hair treatments and hair and clothing dye.
There are also many other uses of utility or laundry basin which you can know by clicking here.
Utility sink needs a good faucet too!
Let’s know about it.
Best faucets for utility sink
Faucets!
Yes, we mentioned “best faucets” instead of “best faucet” as it is quite impossible to title only one faucet as the best one!
But mainly, there are only two types of faucets which will be good for your utility sink. One is Deck Mounted faucet and another is Wall Mounted faucet. And both the types got their own pros and cons.
Now you must be thinking that which material faucet will last for a longer time, right? Because, you don’t want to repair your newly bought faucet just after few days of buying.
We know we know!
But, hold on! You don’t need to think so much. Because we have the simplest answer to your question:
Among the three materials (brass, stainless steel and zinc alloy), brass made utility sink faucets are the best. And they are best not only by the quality but also by the cost.
Now what?
Feeling curious to know more about the brass made utility sink faucets? And thinking from where to buy these kind of utility sink faucets?
Great! Then, check out these 15 best utility sink faucets that we’ve enlisted for you!
After reading about different faucets and their pros and cons, you can easily decide which one to buy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Question-1: What is rim?
Answer: Rim is the outer edge of the sink.
Question-2: What is enamel?
Answer: Enamel is an air dried hard material made for coating.
Question-3: What is the best utility sink material?
Answer: Acrylic is the best utility sink material. But still, it depends on you, your need, and your space.
Question-4: Can I use a utility sink for washing my hands?
Answer: Yes, of course, you can use this sink for washing your hands.
Question-5: Why is a utility sink used in a salon?
Answer: Utility sink is used in salon for dyeing and washing hairs.
Question-6: What is the use of utility sink in restaurants?
Answer: They are used in restaurants for cleaning dishes properly and also for sanitation purposes.
Money Can Buy Happiness…
As now you know everything about a utility sink, you can buy the perfect laundry sink and install that sink by following the right method. And you can now also choose the right faucet for your sink too, right?
See! How blessed you are that you searched for what is a utility sink but gathered a deep knowledge about its installation styles, materials, benefits, price, size and which faucet is the best one for it! After knowing about all these, don’t you also feel that money can buy happiness? Let us know how you feel!