Browse TashMart's large selection of chiseled natural stone sinks or contact us at 713-510-4888.

You've purchased a stone vessel sink and now you need to decide how you want to install it.  There are three common ways to display a stone sink - above the counter, semi-recessed or fully recessed.  Most standard porcelain sinks are under-mounted which means they are attached under the countertop surface.  Stone sinks can be under-mounted however this is not recommended based on weight and other factors.

The most common vessel sink position is above the counter.  Most people that have a vessel sink install it above the countertop so that it is completely visible by all that use it.  A stone vessel sink is a premium product and you want people to be able to see it.

Another installation option for a vessel sink is semi-recessed.  This means the vessel sink is partially above the countertop and partially below the countertop.  This installation method lowers the overall height of the sink but still allows people to see part of the vessel sink above the countertop.  This installation method is more challenging for the installer and requires a precise hole be cut in the countertop.  Cutting the hole too large will cause the sink to recess more than desired.  When installed properly, a semi-recessed stone sink is visually appealing and keeps the overall sink height lower than an above the counter vessel sink.

The final placement option is a fully recessed vessel sink.  Only certain sinks can be fully recessed.  A sink must have a rim in order to be fully recessed.  The rim section of the sink will sit above the countertop and the rest of the sink will be below the surface of the countertop.  This application is desirable for those that want to reduce the total height of their sink.  This type of installation can also be challenging.  A hole must be cut in the countertop large enough to clear the base of the rim but not too large so that the rim is unsupported.

A stone sink is a premium product for your bathroom project.  It is the first thing someone will see when they enter your bathroom and the last thing they will think about when they leave your bathroom. Select the appropriate display option to meet your aesthetic and functional goals.  TashMart carries a large selection of sinks that can be installed in any of the three options discussed.  Contact us at 713-510-4888 for more information on selecting the right stone sink for your project.

For many, travertine is just another fancy word for marble. But the two are actually different types of natural stone.  Marble is a metamorphic stone and travertine is sedimentary.  Both marble and travertine Form from limestone. 

Travertine forms in geothermal springs from the precipitation of calcium carbonate.  Travertine is porous due to the pockets where carbon dioxide bubble up through the stone.  Travertine is less dense than marble and typically comes in light neutral colors.  When used in building materials, travertine is filled and honed giving it a matte finish.  Travertine typically feels softer to the touch than marble.

Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms deep underground in oceanic environments under the conditions of extreme pressure and heat.  The limestone in marble re-crystallizes and mixes with other minerals in the stone forming vein lines.  Marble is typically more dense than travertine and is usually polished giving it a shinier finish.

Marble and travertine have been used for thousands of years as construction materials including being used for stone sinks.  TashMart sells a large variety of unique travertine and marble vessel sinks.  Contact us more information on ordering a sink. 713-510-4888

So what kind of sealer should you use on your stone sink?  Most big box hardware stores have a variety of stone sealing products.  Picking the right product can sometimes be confusing.  Most stone sealers fall into two categories - Topical Sealers and Impregnators.  Topical sealers are made from wax or plastic compounds.  The sealer forms a thin layer over the stone and repels water, oil and other contaminants.  Impregnators penetrate the stone and form a layer of protection from within the stone.  

Each type of stone sealer has advantages and disadvantages.  Topical sealers are cheaper, easy to install and can provide different degrees of polish to the stone.  The disadvantages are that some topical sealers create a soft layer that can show scratching, the sealer may slightly alter the appearance of the stone, and most topical sealers need to be re-applied every 1-2 years.  Impregnators do not alter the appearance of the stone and last for years without the need for reapplication.  However, impregnators are typically more expensive, are more challenging to apply and release harmful vapors during application. 

If you plan on applying the sealer yourself, we recommend going with a topical sealer. Contact TashMart if you have more questions about sealing your stone vessel sink. 713-510-4888.

(ref:Marble Institute of America)

Onyx is a great choice for someone looking for a unique stone vessel sink.  Onyx is a metamorphic rock formed by bands of chalcedony. The stone consists of silica quartz and moganite. Onyx is translucent which allows light to show through the stone. No two pieces of natural stone are the same but that is especially true with onyx.  

TashMart sells a type of onyx called Honey Onyx.  The color is a creamy orange with streaks of dark grey and black bands.  We offers Honey Onyx in two different styles including a classic bowl and a cylindrical bowl.  Contact us for more information on purchasing an onyx sink.

Adding a vessel sink to your bathroom project is a great way to add value and beauty to your home or commercial space. You should consider the countertop height of the vanity you plan to set your vessel sink on top of.  TashMart's stone vessel sinks are anywhere between 4 to 6 inches in height.  You add this number to the countertop height to give you the total height of the rim of the sink.  The average height of most under-mounted or drop in sinks is 34".  The National Bath and Kitchen Association recommends a counter height of between 32 and 43 inches.  You should also take into consideration where the sink will be and who the intended users are.  If you plan on putting the sink in a children's bathroom, you obviously want to be on the lower end of the average.  Taller individuals will benefit from the extra height of the vessel sink. Since vessel sinks add to the total height, manufacturers produce lower profile vanities to compensate for the height of the sink.  

The Americans with Disabilities Act calls for a standard total vanity height between 29 and 34 inches.  Many of our customers also re-purpose other pieces of furniture for their vanity.   This is a very popular trend.  The total height of the vanity should always be considered.  There are techniques that can be used to reduce the total height.  Many vessel sinks have rims and can be recessed either fully or partially in the countertop. Contact TashMart if you have questions about the total height of your bathroom sink.  713-510-4888. 

Are you interested in adding a stone vessel sink to your bathroom but you don't want to replace your existing countertop?  Consider adding a rectangular stone sink.  Rectangular sinks are very popular right now and the dimensions are typically large enough to cover existing sink holes.  Most of TashMart's rectangular vessel sinks measure 17.5" deep by 21.5" wide.  In the picture shown a customer selected the rectangular vessel sink in noce travertine to cover an existing hole left by an under-mounted oval-shaped porcelain sink.  This stone sink also comes with a pre-drilled faucet hole.  This feature worked well for this customer since there wasn't enough room to install the faucet behind the sink.  Once the sink is installed over the hole, it is impossible to tell it wasn't there from the beginning.  Upgrade your bathroom with a beautiful rectangular stone sink. Contact TashMart if you have questions about the dimensions of any of our rectangular stone vessel sinks.