Plumbing Point » vessel sink faucets

Bamboo Vessel Faucets

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:04:23 +0000

One of the main reasons the vessel sink has gained so much popularity over the past few years is because it was able to draw inspiration from modern decorative art and combine it with function. The same can be said for vessel faucets which draw their unique designs from architecture, antiquity, and a bevy of other sources. One of the most creative inspirations for a vessel faucet, however, is Mother Nature herself or, more specifically, the beauty of bamboo in nature. A bamboo vessel faucet is one of the most creative and unique bathroom accessories on the market.

The Relevance of Bamboo

Bamboo is heavily relied upon throughout Asia for its range of uses. It can not only serve as a source of food, it can also be broken down to make cloth and paper goods, and serves as a commonly used construction material. Throughout the rest of the world, bamboo is most well known for the fact that it is the fastest growing wood based plant in the world, said t be able to grow up to two feet a day in the right soil and climate conditions. Because of this ability, bamboo is an ideal material to be harvested when natural sustainability is needed. Throughout history, bamboo has also been seen as a sign of longevity, due to its natural sustainability and rapid growth rate, as well as friendship, due to its variety of uses and diversity of products that can be made from or with it.

Bamboo In Visual Design

The bamboo vessel faucet, although somewhat geared towards some specific décor themes, can become a focal point in a variety of settings. The most obvious theme suited for a bamboo vessel faucet is, of course, any Asian inspired bathroom design. With the increased importance of Zen design gaining in popularity over time, the bamboo design is a perfect accessory for your bathroom retreat. Even without an Asian influence, a bamboo vessel faucet can be ideal for any bathroom design focused on nature as a whole. Because of its very warm and lifelike appearance, even when cast in metal, the visual impact that bamboo can convey can be very inviting.

Like other vessel faucets, bamboo vessel faucets are available in a variety of colors and finishes, however, the more popular designs tend to take their inspiration from the appearance of live bamboo in nature itself, relying heavily on brown, green, and yellow undertones. Bamboo vessel faucets can be found in high gloss finishes as well, but the matte or satin finishes are the most prevalent as they are closer to its true appearance.

Satin Nickel Vessel Faucets

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:55:32 +0000

One of the most common bathroom faucet colors of all time is silver. Whether you are looking at traditional faucets or vessel faucets, the majority of choices you have to pick from will typically be a large percentage of silver tone metals. Given the fact that it is a fairly neutral color, it complements nearly any type of vessel sink you choose fairly well. If you are looking for something traditional, with a slight edge or uniqueness to it, a satin nickel vessel faucet may be the perfect answer.

What Is Satin Nickel?

Satin nickel is a metal created by applying a thin coat of nickel onto brass. Since brass is normally very gold in color, the nickel coating changes its appearance to silver. The satin finish comes from dulling the nickel coating, or removing its natural gloss, which gives it a more matte appearance. Once the desired flat satin finish is achieved, it is coated in a protective lacquer that seals the finish and also allows the metal to regain a slight bit of sheen while still remaining nearly entirely matte in appearance. Overall, satin nickel is slightly darker than regular chrome or silver due both to the dulling process as well as the fact that the underlying metal is gold in color.

Satin nickel finishes are sometimes also referred to as brushed nickel finishes. This is due to the fact that the satin matte finish can tend to have somewhat of a textured or hand coated appearance, as you would achieve by painting an item with a bristled brush, as opposed to the completely smooth appearance of a glossed piece.

What Are The Benefits of Satin Nickel?

The metal used in making satin nickel vessel faucets is almost identical in appearance to brushed stainless steel or brushed aluminum. Satin nickel, however, tends to be somewhat cheaper than stainless steel because of the fact that it is a slightly softer metal and, therefore, easier to cut and mold. On the other hand, satin nickel is much stronger than aluminum and, therefore, more durable and long lasting.

Appearance wise, satin nickel vessel faucets are ideal for nearly any décor. The satin nickel lends well to a modern design, typically rich with silver and silver tone accents. The brushed metal finish works with with nearly any material of vessel sink, including glass or stone. Satin nickel, however, can work well in a more vintage theme just as easily. Since antique inspired pieces are rarely found or made with high gloss metal surfaces, the brushed matte finish gives the metal a look closer to pewter, one of the more popular metals used in vintage designs.

Bronze Vessel Faucets

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:22:05 +0000

One of the most attractive features about the growing popularity of vessel sink selections on the market are the vessel faucets being designed to pair with them. The sinks themselves are created in a range of materials, from metal to glass to stone, and come in an array of shapes and sizes. The vessel faucet selection is just as diverse, spanning a variety of metals and finishes, shapes, and designs. Whether you are going for an antique inspired design, or a modern art appearance, one of the most versatile choices on the market is a bronze vessel faucet.

Bronze Finishes and Colors Available

One of the biggest selling points for bronze vessel faucets is the extensive range of colors and finishes they are available in. Whether you are looking to accessorize a modern and sleek bathroom, or a antique inspired haven, bronze faucets are one of the best metals that can span the range of décor styles.

Oil Rubbed Bronze

The darkest of all the bronze finishes is referred to as oil rubbed bronze or rustic bronze. It is a very deep chocolate brown in color but has the appearance of being worn slightly on the edges, revealing a slightly dark gold tone underneath. This variety works well for vintage inspired designs or even bathrooms containing both brown and gold in their color schemes.

Venetian Bronze

The second darkest finish is commonly referred to as venetian bronze. Unlike oil rubbed bronze, venetian bronze is uniform in color. It is slightly lighter than the oil rubbed finish and has slightly less brown and slightly more gold tones in its composition. It is a very neutral color that works well in both vintage and modern designs. Venetian bronze can be found in a high polish finish or a more matte brushed finish.

Standard Bronze

The lightest of the most common bronze finishes is standard bronze. This is a somewhat bright metal in appearance with the overall look of a dark gold tone as opposed to a brown tone. Standard bronze vessel faucets tend to work better in modern décor since the more distressed and rustic bronze finishes are better suited for vintage themes. Similar to venetian bronze, standard bronze is typically available in both high gloss and matte finishes.

Aside from the color and finish selections, bronze faucets are also available in all the basic styles of vessel faucets including waterfall faucets, wall mount designs, and the traditional counter top mounted styles. Regardless of your color or finish preferences, there is a very good chance you will be able to find the perfect bronze vessel faucet to suit your personal preferences as well as complement your overall décor.

The Wall Mount Vessel Faucet

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:20:20 +0000

The hottest bathroom accessory on the market right now is the vessel sink. Contemporary and artistic in their design, vessel sinks are one of the latest innovations in bathroom fixtures that are attempting to break away from the traditional idea of what a functional bathroom should look like and, instead, strive for what a beautiful bathroom can look like, while still remaining functional of course. When paired with a variety of innovative vessel faucets, a modern sink can transform your bathroom from traditional to trendsetting in a snap. One of the most popular types of vessel faucets being paired with the sinks right now is the wall mount vessel faucet.

What Is a Wall Mount Vessel Faucet?

Vessel sinks sit on top of the counter as opposed to being sunk within it like traditional sinks. Because of this, a traditional sink faucet doesn’t work with the design and layout of the sink. While there are several modified faucet choices to pick from, the wall mount version is one of the designs in the highest demand. Instead of being set into the sink or counter top, as with traditional faucets, a wall mount vessel faucet is fixed to the wall above the sink. They are typically much longer than traditional faucets to account for the additional space between the sink and the wall that must be accounted for. The plumbing for the faucet is run through the wall from behind instead of going up through the counter top.

What Types of Wall Mount Faucets Are Available?

As with any type of faucet, the wall mount varieties come in a wide array of metals, colors, and finishes. Some of the most common wall mount varieties seen in bathroom today are the more modern combinations of finishes and colors, such as brushed gunmetal, satin gold, and oil rubbed bronze. High polished chrome, a traditional faucet choice, is still popular as well though depending on the overall style of the faucet itself.

Most wall mount varieties come in the traditional three part faucet systems, containing a center spout and a two levers or knobs for hot and cold water. Instead of being connected with a back plate like most counter mounted faucets, the three separate components are typically mounted into the wall independently from one another. For those who prefer a one piece faucet with built in water temperature and flow controls, there are a few style of those to choose from on the market as well.

Unique in design and sleek in appearance, the wall mount vessel faucet is the perfect accessory to polish off your new modern bathroom.

The Waterfall Vessel Faucet

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:18:27 +0000

As more and more homeowners move towards making their bathrooms just as visually attractive as they are functional, the vessel sink continues to gain in the ranks of the must-have accessories. With the right pairing of a vessel sink with a variety of vessel faucets, you can create a centerpiece in your bathroom that is just as stunning as a modern piece of art. If you are looking for even more of an impact and break from tradition, however, a waterfall vessel faucet is the perfect choice to pair with your new vessel sink.

What Is a Waterfall Vessel Faucet?

Traditional bathroom faucets are comprised of either a spout and two water flow and temperature control knobs or levers, or a spout with a single built-in control lever. In an effort to break form tradition, the waterfall faucet was created. Similar to a vessel sink, which appears as nothing more than a bowl atop a counter at first glance, the waterfall faucet looks nothing like its traditional faucet counterpart. Instead, it is typically a single pipe that extends from the counter, angling slightly to curve up and over the edge of the vessel sink. The top of the pipe is fitted with a round or square plate of stone or glass, slightly curved towards the side closest to the vessel sink’s opening. In the center of the plate is a metal rod, closely resembling a joystick of some kind.

How Does a Waterfall Vessel Faucet Work?

While it may be hard to understand how the actual faucet works simply by looking at it, its relatively quite simple in design. By pulling the lever or joystick forward, the flow of water is initiated. The further down the lever is pulled, the higher the water volume. Water temperature is controlled by shifting the lever right or left until the desired result is obtained. The biggest difference from a traditional faucet lies in how the water is delivered from the pipes into the sink. Instead of pouring out of a spout, which would be difficult sine there isn’t one on the design, it flows up from the pipe onto the curved plate. Since the plate is slightly curved towards the sink opening, it functions as an overflow, letting the water build up in a small amount in the plate before it is pushed over the edge of the plate and into the sink. Instead of a single stream of water pouring from a spout, you have a small waterfall cascading over the front edge of the faucet plate.

Waterfall vessel faucets are stunning, unique, and the perfect finishing touch to make your bathroom sink a thing of beauty.

Vessel Sink Faucets

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:22:58 +0000

Vessel sinks are one of the most popular choices for consumers looking to add a modern and artistic focal piece to their bathroom. Created by changing the standard placement of the sink from a sunken position to a raised one, vessel sinks make an impressive visual statement while also remaining functional. Because of the raised designs of vessel sinks, standard bathroom faucets designed to be set into a sink no longer work. In order to meet the need for a revised faucet design that not only worked with the vessel sink design, but also complemented it visually, a specialty line of vessel sink faucets was developed.

What is a Vessel Sink Faucet?

In a classic bathroom setup, the sink is set into the counter top and the faucet mechanism is attached to the back lip of the sink itself. Since most vessel sinks are bowl shaped, a traditional faucet design would have no place to be mounted into. In order to accommodate the revised design of the sink itself, vessel faucets were re-engineered to be mounted on other surfaces, completely separate on the surface from the sink. While all the plumbing from the vessel faucet and sink still connect underneath the counter or within the vanity compartment, they appear as two separate pieces to the user.

Vessel Sink Faucet Design

The majority of vessel sink faucets are designed to resemble a single shaft extending from the counter to above the vessel sink. These styles of vessel faucets can often have a somewhat nostalgic appearance to them, resembling the old water pumps often found on farms. However, their modern metals and sleek finishes also lend well towards more modern and minimalistic designs.

While most traditional bathroom faucets have two separate knobs or levers for hot and cold water, the shaft style vessel sink faucets often operate on a single lever system controlling the water temperature. For consumers that prefer separate hot and cold water controls, manufacturers have created models of vessel sink faucets that are available with this option.

In order to compliment the raised style of the sink itself, the vessel sink faucets typically extend between 12 to 18 inches in height as opposed to the 2 to 4 inch height of a traditional faucet. This elevation adds even more so to the unique design and appearance of the sink and faucet combination, increasing its overall artistic appeal.

Vessel sink faucets can also be found in wall mount designs. Instead of the faucet plumbing extending down through the counter top, it is run into the wall. These wall mount styles are usually dual levered, with separate hot and cold water controls. Wall mount vessel sink faucets can either be one single piece with the vessel faucet and water controls connected, or they can be designed as three separate components with the water controls mounted into the wall independent from the faucet itself.

Can I Find a Vessel Faucet to Match my Vessel Sink?

One of the most popular aspects of vessel sinks are the materials and colors they are available in. With marble and granite being two of the most popular choices, the color selections are literally endless. In the past, traditional bathroom faucets were limited to gold and chrome colors with occasional offerings in brushed metal finishes. With such a variety of options for the sinks themselves, the selection of vessel sink faucets has expanded tremendously as well.

Vessel faucets are still offered in the traditional chrome and gold finishes, but they are also available in copper, bronze, brass, and nickel. Each of the metals themselves also come in a variety of finish choices. There is literally a metal and finish combination to complement each and every vessel sink. Polished chrome finishes provide an extremely high shine factor and complement black marble and onyx vessel sinks extremely well. Other dark granite and marble shades also work well with brushed gun metal faucets if a more matte finish is preferred. Bone and off white sinks can be accessorized nicely with polished or satin gold faucets. Brushed copper vessel sink faucets have a somewhat antiqued appearance and work well with brown and beige toned marble sinks. Copper vessel sink faucets also contrast beautifully with marble and granite in rich green tones.

Since the faucets themselves can range in design from vintage to ultra modern, this wide selection of materials and finishes allow users to match nearly any design, style and color of vessel sink. Regardless of the faucet, sink, and vanity selected, a vessel sink system is not only a beautiful centerpiece for your bathroom, but a efficient and functional one as well.

Vessel Sink Guide

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:40:23 +0000

The vessel sink is a modern interpretation of an existing item. This may be important to remember if there is a desire to sell the home in the future. A modern fad could date a home, after that fashion ends. The vessel sink sits above the surface, but will still maintain the ability to drain appropriately. It can be comprised of a variety of materials, and can appear in any number of styles. With proper time and forethought, one could even adapt the vessel sink to a preferred height. It is possible to obtain a vessel sink for a moderate price. It is equally possible to have a custom piece designed at a premium price.

Vessel sinks can be made of many materials. The most common are glass, wood, copper and stone. The glass vessel sink is normally made of a durable glass that is at least one eighth of an inch , but no more than an inch thick. The presence of a glass vessel sink will almost always require an above counter mounting method. This may limit the type of cabinetry that can be safely used.

The wood vessel sink is available in several types of wood. These can include, but are not limited to, bamboo, teak, ebony, and tiger wood. The combination of a beautiful stain and a waterproof finish will result in a memorable, efficient experience.

The copper vessel sink is an extremely attractive item. The vast majority of copper vessel sinks are “hand hammered”. This means that the copper itself is produced through an old tradition of hammering it, by hand, into the desired shape. Additionally, a copper vessel sink will have an unusual antibacterial quality. Studies have established that bacteria is only capable of surviving a few hours on this type of vessel sink.

The stone vessel sink has often been favorably compared to a beautiful piece of artwork. The most common choices of construction are granite, marble, onyx or travertine. It is possible, in many instances, to have these vessel sinks custom designed for existing cabinetry. A wonderful attribute to this material is the fact that it is very low maintenance.

The shape of the vessel sink is as important as any other decision. Opportunities to personalize the appearance of a vessel sink will include the round, square or rectangular presentation. Less known, but equally attractive shapes are those of a shell or triangle.

Choosing the correct vessel sink vanity is vital. The size of your bathroom and the facilities that are currently present in your bathroom will have a significant effect on your choices. Most people will prefer to match, or coordinate with, the materials to that of their vessel sinks. Vessel sink vanities are usually taller than the more traditional cabinets.

The vessel sink faucet is unique unto itself. As one might expect, there are an enormous amount of faucets available.
The type of sink may dictate the mounting type. The options include counter top or wall mounted faucet. Vessel sink faucets are available in both a Modern or Vintage style. An equally important decision will be the desired finish.
Conventional possibilities can include chrome, brass, pewter, nickel and bronze.

There are quite a few spouts associated with a vessel sink faucet. These can include the waterfall spout, which appears as a cascade of water into a glass sink, or the wide mouth spout that produces a significant flow of water. A third alternative is the more typical narrow mouth spout, which resembles a traditional faucet.

The final decision to make will be the preferred faucet. Current choices include a single lever, a double lever, or the more sophisticated separate handle option. The separate handle possibility will be used primarily for a wall mounted
faucet. A wall mounted faucet are generally considered more difficult to install.

Vessel sinks are an unusual and distinct way to personalize a bathroom. Planning ahead and intensive research, along with quality products are likely to result in a favorable outcome. The design of a bathroom can be an inexpensive way to
update a home.