Most laundry rooms are equipped with automatic washing machines and clothes dryers. Nevertheless, there is one element that plays a major supporting role in complementing the whole picture, and that is the laundry tub sink. Most laundry tubs can be installed not only in laundry rooms, but also in garages, garden sheds, and other places in the house where is enough space available.
Laundry tubs are a much bigger and deeper version than traditional kitchen sinks, providing enough space to properly soak and rinse clothing.
Types of Laundry Tubs
You can find them available in a variety of styles, depending on the installation type and the materials used. In this article, we’ve covered up some of the basic types of modern laundry wash tubs, including free-standing, drop-in or under-mounted, and base cabinet-mounted laundry sinks. Let’s take a look separately at some of the features relatable to each one of them.
Freestanding Tub
The wall-mounted laundry sinks also known by the name free-standing tubs are directly attached to the wall of the laundry room. They are considered to be the best option especially if your space in the laundry room is limited and you want to keep the floor clean. They are raised above the floor without the need for a structure such as a cabinet or legs attached to the bowl to hold up the sink.
Laundry Tub + Vanity Combo
The other type of sink that will make the best use in the laundry room is a laundry tub vanity. This type of sink combines a bathroom vanity cabinet with a laundry sink. Many decide to purchase a laundry tub vanity because it has a simple yet very useful design. It is designed to hold the sink, conceal the associated plumbing as well as provide enough storage space for keeping all your cleaning essentials such as washing powder and other cleaning laundry essentials.
A laundry tub vanity can come in various range of sizes, shapes, and designs, but the most common shape is the rectangular one. The size of it will generally depend on the size of your laundry room utility space. They can be made from different kinds of materials which we will discuss later in this article.
Drop-In or Undermount Laundry Sink
The undermount laundry sinks (also called self-rimming) are installed completely underneath a counter so that the countertop completely covers the edges of the sink. They are inserted from the top in large holes, cut into the countertop. This type of laundry wash tub has a contemporary look which makes the cleaning process very easy. Since there is no lip to form an obstruction around the sink, you can simply wipe food particles directly off the counter into the sink.
Laundry Sink Materials
Material plays a major role in the appearance and durability of the laundry tub. The first thing you need to consider is the design in relation to the aesthetics of your laundry room. For instance, if you have a rustic theme laundry room, you should opt for stone or concrete that will blend perfectly with the aesthetic and style of the place.
There are various materials used in the design and making of laundry tub sinks, and the most frequently used include stainless steel, acrylic, and cast iron.
Stainless Steel
When it comes to laundry sinks, stainless steel is one of the most widely used materials. This material is lightweight, highly durable, extremely heat resistant, and easy to clean which makes it the perfect fit for laundry tub sinks. However, it is more expensive in comparison to some other types of materials and its price usually ranges from $500 and above.
Cast Iron
Cast iron is another traditional sink material most commonly used in laundry rooms applications. Its powder-coated finish makes it one of the strongest types of materials available for sinks. These features allow the sink to resist scratching, chipping, and staining.
Even though it’s impervious to water and resistant to stain, prolonged exposure to harsh bleach can damage its surface. Besides, it’s considered to be one of the heaviest materials used for sinks, so you should make sure you have sufficient support before you install it.
Acrylic
Tough polycarbonate known as acrylic is a lightweight yet durable material resistant to scratches and stains. One of its drawbacks is that this type of material isn’t as heat resistant as some other type of material used for tubs. Even though acrylic is durable, this material isn’t as long-lived as enamel or stainless steel.
Polypropylene
One of the cheapest materials among all the above mentioned that has become widely used in both household and industrial applications is polypropylene. Polypropylene has high flexural strength due to its semi-crystalline nature. It is mostly used for wall mount applications due to its unique properties and ability to adapt to various fabrication techniques that make it an invaluable and highly durable material for a wide range of uses.
Moreover, polypropylene possesses good chemical resistance over a wide range of bases and acids and it’s very resistant to absorbing moisture. Despite its unique blend of qualities, this material also has its own shortcomings. One of them is that it can be highly flammable and susceptible to oxidation and UV degradation.
