Tulip sink - an elegant solution for the bathroom (26 photos)
Bathroom - a room that everyone visits several times a day. And although this room usually does not spend much time, I want it to be comfortable. In standard apartments, bathrooms cannot boast of their size. Most often these are tiny rooms, which are required to be functional to the detriment of beauty. The sink is one of the most important parts in this room. Let's talk in more detail about one very popular model, which is called the shell-tulip.
What is a tulip shell?
This unusual name arose because the design of the washbasin resembles a flower in shape. This sanitary ware consists of a pedestal and sink. The foot is designed to take on part of the load from the weight of the bowl. The supporting part can be made in the form of a half-column or be a solid, continuous design. A half-column is a more modern version, which is most often used for hanging plumbing. In addition, outwardly unaesthetic communications (pipes, siphon) are hidden behind the support.
Tulip shells became popular in the post-Soviet era. Thanks to ease of use and good looks, they remain in demand even after decades. A sink of this shape does not take up much space and looks elegant in any bathroom layout. Over the years, the design of washbasins of this type has not functionally changed. Only the color, design and materials of which these plumbing products are made changes. The advantages include not only a wide range of products, but also the durability of such sinks.
Shell Materials
The price indicators and decorative characteristics depend on the choice of material from which the sink is made. The sink-tulip in the bathroom can be made of earthenware, porcelain, glass, stainless steel, ceramics, artificial or natural stone. The most common because of its availability of faience. Such models are quite durable and strong, although they cost a little. Porcelain sinks are considered a more expensive option. They are not inferior in strength to earthenware products, but externally surpass them in decorativeness.
In the bathroom, you can often find sinks with a ceramic pedestal. Do not chase the cheapness and purchase plumbing from cheap ceramics. Its feature is the porous structure. This means that cleaning and disinfecting such a sink will be more difficult than dense porcelain. Also, ceramic sinks cannot boast of high strength and resistance to mechanical stress. Due to an accidentally dropped cream jar, a chip will appear on the surface. And if as a result of this the shell does not crack, then the crack will noticeably worsen its external attractiveness.
The most expensive and durable material is natural stone. The design of the sink made of solid stone is not limited to the bowl. This is a one-piece product in which the sink is part of the countertop. Stone models are very durable and aesthetic, they will appeal to lovers of everything natural, but at the same time exquisite.
How to choose a tulip shell?
The “tulip” type sink may be round, rectangular, square or elliptical. Occasionally, you can meet an angular model.Traditionally, the width of the models ranges from 55-70 cm. Pay particular attention to the depth of the sink. It is better to refuse to buy shallow models, as during use, the spray will fly apart.
Choose a tulip sink, depending on the size of the bathroom and the size of the communications. If the bathroom will undergo major repairs, then you can choose any model that you like. And if you choose the option to replace only the previous sink, then the choice of design will have to be taken more seriously. Here, the distance from the floor to the bowl is very important in order to choose the column correctly. You will also have to carefully measure the width of the pedestal so that communications are hidden from prying eyes.
Remember to check the drain fittings. You may need to replace the old siphon. Also, when installing a new sink, there may be a problem of lack of space inside the pedestal. For example, a classic knee does not fit in a modern model. It would be nice to equip the sink with an overflow system: this way you will not flood the neighbors if something happens.
If the bathroom is not distinguished by its outstanding size, give preference to a small sink-bowl. Hanging plumbing and sinks with half columns - the best solution in confined spaces. So you can not only save the treasured square meters, but also facilitate cleaning. There is a wide variety of hand washing facilities in stores. So you can easily choose a model that will harmoniously blend with the interior of the bathroom.
Sink installation
Having decided on the choice of model, you need to figure out how to install a tulip shell. Since the design is simple, you can do it yourself without having special skills. However, before proceeding directly to work, you need to determine the place where the washbasin will be located, and also prepare a set of tools: the building level, screwdrivers, wrenches, drill and hammer.
Before you start installing the sink with a pedestal, be sure to shut off the hot and cold water supply.
Description of the main stages of installation of the sink:
- The installation of the sink begins with the markup. A sink with a pedestal is moved to the wall where the fixtures will be installed. There are holes for fixing bolts on the sink bowl. Through them should be noted the location of drilling. This should be done carefully. To make the right measurements, use the level.
- If you are sure that you have reached the perfect horizontal, you can take the drill. Drill holes of the desired diameter, and then insert spacer tubes into them under the dowels.
- The next step is to install a siphon. It is bolted to the drain of the washbasin, and a mesh with gasket is installed on the wrong side. It is important to keep the joints tight.
- Screw the screws into the dowels, put a sink on them and slide the pedestal close to the wall. The pedestal should be located in the center of the bowl. Use the washers and nuts to fix the sink.
- After the tulip sink is installed and screwed to the wall, cover the gaps and joints with silicone sealant. This will prevent water from entering them.
- The final stage is the installation of the mixer to the water pipes and its connection to the sewer. To do this, the corrugated siphon hose is connected to the outlet: the siphon tube is inserted into the socket of the sewer pipe.
As you can see, the installation procedure is not difficult, so you can do the work yourself without the help of a professional plumber.
A tulip sink is the best choice for any bathroom. The popularity of this model is due to the fact that it fits perfectly both in an exclusive interior and in a standard one.And the variety in color, size and texture will allow you to quickly choose the option that will successfully fit into the situation.
