Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "What's the difference between vitreous china, porcelain, fire clay, ceramic, etc.?"
A. There are many terms used to describe white "clay" bathroom fixtures - sometimes the terms are interchangeable and sometimes they are not. For instance, vitreous china and porcelain are essentially the same thing. Vitreous china/porcelain sinks are made by baking a refined mixture of clay and other minerals at a high temperature after glazing. Vitreous china/porcelain is naturally mildew- and bacteria-resistant with a non-porous surface that is ideal for maintaining sanitation - hence it is commonly used for lavatory sinks and toilets. Fire clay, on the other hand, is also molded from a clay and mineral mixture, but it is fired at a higher temperature than vitreous china/porcelain which gives it greater resistance to heat. While fire clay is most often used for kitchen farmhouse sinks, some bathroom sinks are also made of fire clay. Ceramic is sometimes used interchangeably with fireclay, vitreous china, or porcelain, and simply refers to a style of fixture that is molded from clay and baked.
Q. "I see some of these pedestal sinks can be mounted without the pedestal on the wall or a counter. Can I do this will all of the pedestal sinks?"
A. That's somewhat of a complicated question. In general, all pedestal sinks are attached to the wall and the pedestal is provided to help bear the weight of the sink and offer an aesthetically pleasing look. Some sinks would simply be too heavy to hang on the wall without support from the bottom, while others aren't shaped appropriately on the bottom for counter mounting. It is possible that with proper consideration for the size and weight of the sink with relation to the sturdiness and materials of wall or counter you could mount these sinks however you wanted - but it is NOT RECOMMENDED. The photos above are representational only and unless specified that the sink can be mounted without the pedestal, we recommend you install the sink as a pedestal unit.
Additionally, we advise you to follow all mounting instructions supplied by the manufacturer or hire a professional to install your sink. If you would like to install ANY of these pedestal sinks (including the ones that state they can be wall hung or counter mounted) as a wall hung or counter mounted sink, we suggest you contact the manufacturer for installation specifications and instructions prior to ordering to ensure the sink can be mounted as desired. PlumbingSupply.com® assumes no responsibility for pedestal lavatory sinks installed in a different manner or outside the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Q. "Are the mounting brackets and mounting hangers required? Do I need one or both?"
A. You will need something to mount your sink to the wall because although the pedestal can support most of the weight of the sink, it is not secure enough to stand alone and could potentially fall over and/or cause injury if not properly secured to the wall. The manufacturer recommends using one bracket and one pair of mounting hangers for easier installation. As always, please consult the manufacturer's instructions that came with your sink for the best method of installation for your situation.
