Is a Vessel Sink Right For You?
If you’ve been living your whole life wondering 'what’s the deal with vessel sinks!?', well you’re probably alone in that thought because not too many people think about it until they remodel, regardless, we made a post to see if a vessel sink is right for you.
Making it simple for you, we drew up a pros and cons list but first what is a vessel sink? It’s a classic sink design that dates back to when people used to wash their hands in a bucket that sat on top of the counter. Many designers believe it is a poor trend that out stayed it’s welcome, but you have to hand it to those little basins, they can introduce quite a WOW factor in any bathroom.
PROS
Vessel sinks come with more options (some might not consider this a pro)
- You have more choices as far as material, color, size, even mounting style (these bad boys can be installed partially recessed)
They take up less space!
- Vessel sinks tend to take up less space than an under mount bathroom sink. Also because they can be made with glass, they take up less visual space as well. (A serious win for powder rooms or small apartment bathrooms)
Vessel sinks are easier to install.
- Which means saving on install costs. On average with some youtube video consumption a homeowner is able to install a vessel sink with ease. These sinks don’t require caulk or wedging, just a small drain hole cut out. (Also easier to switch when you want to change it down the line)
CONS
Vessel sinks tend to splash more due to their design
- (which can be side stepped if you purchase the right faucet for your sink, but still a fault worth noting)
They may be a bit harder to clean
- The vessel sink will be sat on top of a mounting ring to stabilize the sink. There will be a small tight space around the base of your sink that may or may not drive you to insanity while trying to clean it.
Vessel Sinks are more exposed
- Therefore they are damaged more easily by everyday use like scratches, chips or little hands grabbing onto the rim like Olympic gymnasts.
In conclusion, is a vessel sink advantageous? In the right setting sure! Are there set backs? Dang tootin’. We suggest following up with someone you know that has one and asking them how they like it before you commit.
Thanks for reading and best of luck on your project!
Frequently Asked Questions About Kraus
Kraus has been, and continues to be, one of our most recommended brands for several reasons. The Kraus product quality is consistently high. On par and often exceeding the finish, features, and styles of brands priced a lot higher. Speaking of which, the brand is priced extremely well. Kraus’ popularity has grown exponentially and demand for their sinks and faucets is not slowing down. This leads us here: Questions and Answers about Kraus that, we at DirectSinks, are asked quite often. If you have other questions not mentioned below, please call, email, or stop in!
Kraus was founded in 2007. They are headquartered in Port Washington, NY.
Really good actually! The majority of Kraus Kitchen Sinks are made of 16-gauge stainless steel, which is more than adequate regarding thickness of the metal. The sinks have a generous amount of undercoating and padding which results in a very quiet sink. The faucets are very well made and easy to install. We recommend their products to our own friends and family, and we also have their sinks, faucets, and accessories in our own homes.
Kraus' Full Warranty can be seen here
We Summarized the Kitchen Sink and Faucet Info Below
Faucet Warranty - Lifetime Limited Warranty
Kraus USA Plumbing, LLC (“Kraus”) extends this warranty to the original purchaser for personal household use of the Faucet when purchased from an authorized Kraus dealer and in the location of original installation. This warranty is non-transferable.Kraus warrants the structure and finish of the Faucet to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal usage for as long as the original purchaser resides in the residence in which the Faucet was first installed.
Kraus warrants the Faucet's sprayhead assembly (including the engine, aerators, structure, restrictors, back flow preventers, sprayer hoses, braided supply line hoses which encompasses nylon, silicon and stainless steel) of the product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal usage for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase.
Kraus warrants the Faucet's cartridge to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal usage for a period of five (5) years from the date of purchase.
Any product reported to the authorized dealer or to Kraus as being defective within the warranty period will be repaired or replaced with a product of equal value at the option of Kraus.
Kitchen Sink Warranty - Lifetime Limited Warranty
Kraus USA Plumbing, LLC (“Kraus”) extends this warranty to the original purchaser for personal household use of the Kitchen Sink when purchased from a Kraus authorized dealer and in the location of original installation. This warranty is non-transferable.Kraus warrants the structure and finish of the Kitchen Sink to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal usage for as long as the original purchaser resides in the residence in which the sink was Kitchen Sink was first installed.
Any product reported to the authorized dealer or to Kraus as being defective within the warranty period will be repaired or replaced with a product of equal value at the option of Kraus.
Absolutely. If you call their offices, they actually pick up. If you write in, they respond.
Business Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 8:00pm (EST)Address: 12 Harbor Park Drive Port Washington, NY 11050
Call: (Kraus Customer Service): 1-800-775-0703
Text Kraus At: (631) 212-0703 (Message and data rates may apply.)
Email Kraus Directly:Info@KrausUSA.com
Not normally. First, if you dig into the internet deep enough, you will find a complaint about every sink brand and rust.
Kraus is often mentioned simply because of the popularity of the brand.
Most frequently, something that looks like rust shows up in the first few weeks after the sink is installed.
Why? During the countertop fabrication process a very fine dust is created (like sawdust from wood, but very fine). If this dust is on the sink after installation and gets wet, it may show oxidation on the surface of the sink.We see this as the most common cause. Typically after the sink is thoroughly cleaned after installation, no stains will show up. Another situation that can cause a stain or mark is if something is left in the sink and it's wet, especially flatware, pots and pans, and steel wool. The composition of your water can also contribute to this. Water with high iron content will leave stains frequently.
Really great information about this can be found here, at Bar Keepers Friend
Kraus typically has the items shipped in 2-3 days. Most items will ship with UPS from their New Jersey warehouse. Some small items, such as faucets or accessories may ship out of their N.Y. location.
No, unfortunately our clients can not pick up from Kraus
DirectSinks will often have various faucets and sinks at our location. Generally, these items are stocked for our local clients such Kitchen and Bath Designers, Builders, and Countertop fabricators. If you are on Long Island and want to pick up something from us, please call first. We do not keep stock of everything. Please call and ask before making the trip!
Normally, you won't find Kraus on display. However, exceptions are out there. We have several Kraus faucets and sinks on display in our Cabinet Showroom. Some of our local Kitchen and Bath clients also show some various Kraus items.
Observations and Opinions
| Kraus | Ruvati | Advantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Both Great |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime | Both Great |
| Availability |
|
|
✓ Kraus |
| Customer Service | Consistently Excellent with Great Communication | Inconsistent & lack communication | ✓ Kraus |
| Style & Design | Vast Selection of Kitchen Sinks and Faucets Decent, but more common bathroom sink designs |
Vast Selection of Kitchen Sinks, No Faucets Large Varity of Bathroom Sink Options with many unique options, including stainless steel. No Bathroom Faucets |
✓ Kraus if you need a Kitchen Sink & Faucet ✓ Ruvati if you are looking for a Bathroom Sink |
| Value and Price | 30" Small Radius Undermount Sink KHU100-30, Standard Online Price $329.95 Often has Sales. In this exact example, the Kraus sink has been on sale for less than the Ruvati |
30" Small Radius Undermount Sink RVH7300, Standard Online Price $299.00 Infrequently has Sales |
Can go either way. Kraus often has sales that bring this example to their advantage Check the current pricing with the links below: Kraus KHU100-30 Ruvati RVH7300 |