Having a sink in a laundry room will meet several needs. It can serve as an extra hand in getting clothes cleaned.
There is surely going to be a need for a sink in the laundry room. But how big should the laundry room sink be?
A laundry room sink should be big enough to serve the laundry room. It should not be too big to fit into the available space. Usually, a laundry room sink measures 23 inches in width, 20 inches in length, and as deep as 13 inches.
There are usually differences between other household sinks and a laundry room sink. The laundry Room Sink is wider and deeper than other sinks.
Several things need to be considered before installing a laundry room sink. Read on to know more about how your laundry room sink should be.
What type of Sink goes in a laundry room?
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Sinks that are used in laundry rooms are also called utility sinks. These sinks have big sizes and are used for washing or soaking clothes. Utility sinks are usually found in laundry rooms, basements, or garages.
Before the advent of washing machines and dryers, sinks were the primary place of cloth washing. The use of automatic cloth washers has not completely taken away the need for a sink in the laundry room.
There is still much to do with a sink. Asides from washing clothes, sinks can be used to wash other things.
The utility sink that goes in the laundry room is often bigger than other sinks. It is way bigger than the kitchen or toilet sinks. This will enable it to have enough space for the laundry functions it may be called upon to perform.
Ample space is required for soaking clothes and getting them well cleaned.
How Big Should my laundry Sink be?
A big sink is needed for a laundry room. But how big should it be? The utility sink is of different sizes, but the smallest is bigger than an average sink. The word utility can be associated with a diversity of use. That suggests a big size in itself.
Space is important in doing laundry, and that is a reason for needing a large sink in a laundry room. A utility sink should have around 13 to 15 inches of depth. This will give room for some soaking and washing to be done conveniently.
Remember this sink may not be for only laundry purposes. It can even be a bath for pets. It can be a place to do some other forms of washings that a small sink may not accommodate. This is why the width is good to be a minimum of 23 inches and as high as 20 inches.
Utility sink types
There are different types of utility sinks. Any of these types can fit into a laundry room based on the space available. These types are based on the installation method and the design style of the sink. There are four major types:
Floor Mounted Laundry Sink or Free Standing
This type of sink comes with its stand. This is why it is called free-standing or floor mounted. Floors Mounted Sink stand on their own because they have their support already. It is just for the plumbing lines attached to the sink.
The sink takes up about the same space as the wall-mounted type. Floor mounted sinks can be with single or double basins. The basin is usually as deep as 24 inches.
Undermount or Drop-in Sink
The drop-in sink is installed by placing them on a countertop. As the name ‘drop-in’ implies, the sink is dropped into a large hole cut in the countertop. The under-mount types are installed by attaching them to the base of a hole in the countertop.
Both the under-mount and drop-in sinks are attached to a countertop mounted on the cabinet. They give a level ground between the sink and the cabinet surface. The aesthetics of the sink and laundry room is improved by this design.
The sink blends well into the room.
Wall-Mounted Sink
The wall-mounted sink is attached to the wall of the laundry room. This type of design does not take up much space. They are attached directly to wall studs so that they can bear the weight of the sink.
There is space that can be used for storage under the sink as it stays above the floor.
Base-Cabinet Mounted Laundry Sink
The base-cabinet-mounted laundry sink has a cabinet and a sink combined. The sink sits on a cabinet with doors. The cabinet offers storage space for cleaning tools and other things that it can contain.
The sink offers less space combined with other types of laundry room sinks.
Laundry room sink materials
Laundry room sinks are usually made of different materials. The material can be a good factor to help in deciding what sink to get. There are mainly five types of materials for a utility sink.
Each of these materials offers unique advantages.
Cast Iron
Cast iron sinks are usually enamel-coated to prevent rusting. These sinks are usually heavy-duty products that can withstand adverse conditions. With use and time, there may be a need to recoat the sink.
Once the enamel coating wears off, the sink will be exposed to rusting. They may be expensive but are quite sturdy and elegant.
Porcelain
Porcelain sinks have unique beauty and shine that make them appealing. This may make them too good for a laundry room. They are easy to clean and highly resistant to high temperatures.
The beauty and shine of porcelain sinks are timeless and thus good for a laundry room.
Acrylic
Acrylic laundry sinks are usually lightweight. The acrylic material is durable, scratch and stain-resistant. They are not as heat-resistant as most other sink materials. But acrylic sinks are considerably economical and lightweight.
It is also not as strong as other materials.
Ceramic
Laundry sinks made of ceramic are very strong and heat-resistant. They have a good shine and are resistant to stains. This makes the sink easy to clean and maintain.
Ceramic is a sturdy and durable material.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel sinks are usually good-looking and lightweight. The sink is easy to clean and manage. It is a very affordable option for a laundry room sink. In most cases, aesthetics is not a factor in choosing a laundry room sink.
The laundry room is not usually visited by others.
Is it worth having a sink in the laundry room?
A sink in the laundry room will serve several purposes. A Laundry room is usually a utility room. No wonder the sink is called a utility sink. The sink will aid the laundry functions of the washers.
It is just an extra room to get things done.
The sink then makes the laundry room become a utility room. Other things can be cleaned with the sink. Other household cleaning activities can be done with some amount of ease in the utility room.
This is why the size is expected to be bigger than that of the kitchen or bathroom.
Finally
A laundry room sink is not just for cloth soaking or washing. It makes other household cleanings easy. It is then important that the sink is big enough to offer space for effective usage.
There are other considerations aside from the sink size when choosing a laundry room sink.
The type of sink design and the material it is made of are important factors. Acrylic and stainless steel are materials that are lightweight and cheap to use.
They are good if aesthetics is not considered. But more expensive options lie in enamel-coated cast Iron, ceramic, and porcelain materials.
