If you've ever had occasion to shop for basin sinks for your home then you probably already know there is an astonishing variety to choose from. Not all differences are stylistic though. Some design elements that may first appear to be a style choice by the manufacturer are actually there for a purpose. These make for some interesting trivia, but are also useful to know for when the time comes that you find yourself needing to purchase a sink. It's not something you buy every day. For some people it may be something they buy once in their lifetime, because chances are unless you are building a new home you won't buy a sink unless you are replacing one. Still, by choice or by necessity it does happen and it's good to prepare and think ahead whether a single basin sink, double or even triple basin.
Some sinks have a lip that sits above the counter. This is functional, but not in the way you might think. It actually serves very little purpose for anyone using the sink. The reason it's there is to make the sink easier to install. Basically, the installation works by cutting an approximate hole in the counter surface and then just dropping the sink in. These are called "self rimming" sinks and they are incredibly common because of the simple (and inexpensive) nature of their installation.
Sinks that are flush with the surrounding counter top are typically mounted from below. The counter surface needs to be cut with exacting precision and even then there are normally some imperfections that can lead to cracks that may allow germs to grow. Aside from the complications in cutting the hole for the sink to fit into, once installed the edge needs to be filled with sealant in order to lessen the possibility of water leaking. You might wonder why anyone would go through so much trouble. The answer is that these sinks have a very distinct and modern look.
There are a number of other types of sinks which are around, but less common. With stainless steel or plastic it is possible to weld or glue (respectively) the sink from underneath, which is sort of the reverse of how a self rimming sink is installed. These work very well but have a less traditional, more contemporary / modern look to them. Often you will see these types of basin sinks in restaurant and office bathrooms because they look professional, are easy to clean and are relatively inexpensive.
