Double sink in the bathroom: review of popular solutions and installation nuances

In an effort to increase comfort during daily water procedures and save precious time, many consumers choose new plumbing products to decorate their bathrooms.

One of them is a double sink in the bathroom. Let’s take a closer look at what advantages and disadvantages a plumbing fixture has and whether it’s worth installing it at home.

What are double sinks for?

A “pair” sink is a variation of the usual washbasin, in which two tanks are combined on one frame. The design of such a sanitary tandem is one, but there are many options for its execution.

In addition to the ability to add an original touch to the interior of the bathroom, the “paired” plumbing fixture also performs a number of practical functions.

“Paired” devices are chosen for arranging bathrooms in houses where a large number of households live and the area of ​​the bathrooms is not limited to two or three square meters

These include the following functions:

1. Provides convenience to household members, allowing you to maintain a calm morning atmosphere within the walls of the house. During rush hours, when everyone is going to work and classes, and therefore every minute counts, a double sink is a real salvation.
2. Allows you to maintain hygiene for all members of a large family. The fewer people use one plumbing fixture, the lower the likelihood of cross-contact of household microbes, and consequently the transfer of diseases to each other. In families with small children, it is convenient to allocate one sink for children to carry out water procedures, and leave the second for adults.
3. It makes it possible to organize personal space, which is extremely important for maintaining a comfortable psychological state of any person. Having your own sink, you can arrange your personal area according to your own preferences: place a shelf for cosmetics and small items, install a soap dish with your favorite soap...

A double sink helps to increase the throughput of the bathroom, which is so important in the morning, when all family members are trying to quickly take water procedures.

Although the cost of ergonomic plumbing fixtures is significantly higher than conventional ones, the monetary costs more than compensate for the convenience created for households

The only drawback of a double plumbing fixture is its large dimensions. So, having become the owner of a small bathroom, you can’t even dream of such a bulky plumbing fixture. After all, the bulky design will take up at least half of the bathroom space.

It takes a little more time to clean two bowls. But for a good housewife who has high-quality detergents at her disposal, such work will not cause any particular difficulties.

Sanitary ware options

Thanks to a wide variety of style and design solutions, you can choose a double sink to suit your specific interior.

A well-chosen plumbing fixture will complement the style of your bathroom, making it more presentable and functional.

There are many design options for double sinks on the market. They can be two independent bowls, each of which is equipped with its own mixer.Or it can be devices in the form of long trays, designed for two users, but with one mixer.

What are the advantages of such devices? Yes, in principle, nothing - it’s just an interesting design solution.

A popular version of a double sink, in which instead of two separate bowls there is one long tray, and two mixers are connected to it and a common drain is connected

Double bathroom sinks are classified according to several criteria:

1. Product form. They come in round and oval, rectangular and square shapes.
2. Material of manufacture. In addition to traditional ceramic products, there are metal, acrylic, marble and even glass double sinks on sale.
3. Type of instalation. Like traditional single models, double sinks can be wall-mounted, pedestal-mounted, or even built-in.

If we focus on cost, then the middle price segment is occupied by ceramic products. Earthenware and porcelain can withstand small impacts and temperature fluctuations very well. Do you want a more durable material in your bathroom? Opt for porcelain stoneware bowls.

In the same price category as them tempered glass sinks. Transparent and colored, matte and corrugated - the choice is limited only by the taste preferences of the buyer.

Ultra-fashionable sinks made of impact-resistant glass are interesting because they allow you to give the interior of a bathroom, decorated in a modern style, a special airiness and lightness

For many, the limiting factor in purchasing glass products is the vulnerability of glass to impacts. But the technologies used today have reached such a level that there is no need to worry too much about the strength of glass bowls.

Products from natural stone - the privilege of wealthy people.

Regardless of the design, bowls made of marble, granite or travertine can fit into any interior style, giving the room a touch of sophistication and respectability

Artificial stone can be a worthy alternative to noble natural stone. It is a composition that consists of 80% stone chips, and the remaining 20% ​​are dyes and a connecting polymer. The performance parameters of the composite material are not inferior to natural stone. And the cost of plumbing fixtures is several times cheaper.

Supporters of practical solutions should consider installing a double sink with a cabinet. Externally, the sink only benefits from the addition of a cabinet, since in combination with it it looks very harmonious.

The cabinet located under the countertop is convenient for storing cosmetics, bath accessories and various equipment necessary for bathroom maintenance.

The cabinet under the sink in such models performs a dual task: it hides laid communications and serves as a place to store things that may be needed when performing hygiene procedures.

Criteria for choosing wisely

When deciding for yourself whether to purchase a “paired” plumbing fixture, focus primarily on the spatial capabilities of the bathroom.

But also take into account:

• schedule for getting up in the morning for household members;
• traditions of family meals together;
• “fads” and special preferences of your family members.

After all, some people are so intolerant of invasion of personal space that they are not ready to make room and share a sink even with their relatives.

Most leading manufacturers have both compact sinks and large-sized models in their collections, which allows the buyer to choose a product with optimal dimensions

Standard models of double sinks on sale often have compact dimensions. During the operation of plumbing fixtures, it is not always convenient for two people to wash themselves in them at the same time.

For this reason, experts recommend giving preference to designs consisting of two separate bowls. They can be installed on a common tabletop or mounted in a single cabinet.

We also recommend reading the article on how to install a countertop sink. More details - go to link.

By choosing two independent bowls, you can always move them apart to a convenient distance; and the cost of such designs will be somewhat cheaper than purchasing a “two-in-one” washbasin

Double models in the shape of an oblong bowl with a common mixer are more suitable for apartment bathrooms. In private homes, in most cases, a solution with two separate mixers is chosen.

Rules for installing a double sink

The key rule when installing a “paired” sink is to maintain symmetry. To achieve this while maintaining the attractiveness of a double sink, you need to purchase identical sets of faucets and siphons.

By selecting plumbing “little things” from the same collection or in a similar design, you can harmoniously fit the “paired” sink into the overall design concept of an already equipped bathroom.

In order for two people to feel as comfortable as possible when using sinks at the same time, the distance between the centers of the bowls should be at least 90 cm

Installation and connection are not much different from the technology installation of a single model. The only requirement is that due to the heavy weight of the structure, it is better to place it on a support, the role of which can be played by a cabinet or a metal frame. The wall mounting method for installing double sinks is also possible, but for heavy structures it is less reliable.

Selection of required materials

When choosing a mixer for connection, focus on the following parameters:

• height and type of spout;
• diameter of the hole in the side of the bowl;
• type of shut-off valve (single lever or double valve).

Preference should be given to products made of brass. They are relatively inexpensive in cost, but at the same time demonstrate high performance characteristics.

Decorative treatment of brass faucets can be any: matte “satin” or polished chrome, or noble bronze or enamel

Brass faucets that have a natural or synthetic coating that imitates natural material go well with ceramic and stone sinks.

Key importance should be paid to the choice of siphon model. Budget models are made from polypropylene, mid-price segment products are made from brass, and the most expensive ones are made from copper and bronze.

Bottle-type siphon devices are most widespread; they are connected to the drains of both sinks, and a little lower along the flow of the drains they are combined into a common flask. Double siphons come in two versions: bottle and pipe.

Pipe siphons instead of a flask have a “U” or “S”-shaped bend. Water accumulates in the cavity of this bend.

You can read more about the types of siphons for washbasins and the criteria for their selection in this material.

To carry out the work you will need:

• electric drill;
• building level;
• tubular and open-end wrench;
• set of drills;
• FUM tape;
• silicone sealant.

Plumbing connections and an installation kit with O-rings are usually included with the mixer. But since not all manufacturers provide high-quality steel hoses and reliable gaskets, it is additionally worth purchasing a thicker rubber O-ring and two plumbing hoses 86 cm long.

Siphon installation features

The siphon used to connect a double sink has an outlet to two drain pipes. Two separately installed water seal flasks are connected to each other using a special tee. This tee is connected using a flexible corrugation or a rigid pipe to the sewerage system.

A siphon equipped with two separate flasks makes it possible to connect both two independent sinks and a “paired” bowl without altering the sewer system supply

If desired, you can install two separate siphons. This solution is advantageous in that siphons independent of each other are less clogged during operation. But keep in mind that such a system will require a lot of space.

Installation of a double siphon is performed in the following sequence:

1. Press the screw located at the base of each drain, screwing the mesh to it.
2. The pipes are attached to the drain holes of the bowls using nuts.
3. Connect both pipes at the place where the sump is located.
4. The outlet pipe is connected to the sewerage system.

The connection is made using special screws and sealed by installing a conical plastic gasket. To improve sealing, it is better to treat the joint with non-acid silicone sealant.

Subtleties of connecting the mixer

The mixer is buried in a hole specially made in the side of the bowl and secured on the back side using a clamping nut and gasket.

The ends of flexible hoses are inserted into the seat of the mounted sink, with the help of which the mixer pipes are attached to the hot and cold water outlets

Before twisting the flexible hoses from the bottom of the sink, place a second pair of rubber pressure washers on the connections. When assembled, the structure should look so that two rubber seals protect the body from the bottom and top of the sink.

You can read detailed instructions for installing a faucet on a sink Here.

Bowl installation technology

To install the sink, you must first mark the locations of future fastenings. When determining the height of the washbasin, make sure that its upper edge is at a distance of 80-85 cm from the floor level. To make the installed appliance look more harmonious, when determining the upper level of the sink, you should take into account the location of the tile seam.

Holes are made in the wall for installation of expansion dowels, into which plumbing self-tapping screws are subsequently screwed. The bowl is placed on the screws protruding from the wall and placed on a pedestal.

Installation of the overhead version of a double sink is carried out as follows:

Installation of built-in sinks requires special skill. This is especially true if the countertop is made of artificial or natural stone. It is better to entrust this work to professionals.

In an effort to save money, some owners construct a countertop from moisture-resistant plasterboard. This material is convenient to work with. Even a novice craftsman can cut into a plasterboard tabletop.

When installing a wall-mounted model, additional fastening of the structure will be required; for this purpose, install a frame frame or mount a tulip support

After installing the bowl, all that remains is to check that the connection is correct. To do this, open the tap and let the water flow. If the lines bend smoothly, acquiring a “U” shape, and there are no leaks, then you have completed the task.

If leaks are found in the assembled structure, it will have to be disassembled, defects eliminated and reassembled.

You can protect the surface from water and give it a more aesthetic appearance with glass, stone, polymer or ceramic mosaics.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video tutorial for installing a double sink:

A double sink is rightfully considered an excellent solution for large families with spacious bathrooms. The main thing before buying is to carefully weigh your financial capabilities and the availability of free space in the bathroom.

You just can’t choose a double bathroom sink or have you been using this type of plumbing for a long time and can tell our readers about its advantages and disadvantages? Please leave comments in the block below the article, ask questions, and share your experience with other visitors to our site.