Custom vanity depth

CBee · Feb 25, 2022 9:49 pm

Hi all,
We upgraded to custom vanities with stone benchtops and need to get the size of one of the vanities down. The builder/joiner have indicated the minimum depth they can achieve (regardless of the sink size - I.e. even if I go with a small narrow sink and tap mounted on the side) is 48cm? This is not ideal for the space we have.
Does anyone know why this might be? They have mentioned difficulties with installation but it just doesn't make sense??

chippy · Feb 26, 2022 12:45 am

It all depends on what basin you use.
You can definitely go narrower than 480 but you'd have to be careful about the style and size of the basin.

CBee · Feb 26, 2022 7:21 am

chippy

It all depends on what basin you use.
You can definitely go narrower than 480 but you'd have to be careful about the style and size of the basin.

Hey Chippy, the inset basin we have chosen is 32cm wide, and we have even looked at a basin that is 29cm wide with side mount tap. We were told regardless of how narrow you go, they won't go smaller that 480. Could it be because of the stone top? I am just so annoyed because they are supposed to be 'custom' vanities and I am paying a heap for them.

StructuralBIMGuy · Feb 26, 2022 7:42 am

CBee

I am just so annoyed because they are supposed to be 'custom' vanities and I am paying a heap for them.

If you are paying more than IKEA then you should be angry their depth is 48cm approx.
LOL, Sounds like custom is anything that doesn't come from the green shed (humour)
Is the guy a standard importer that just fixes?
BTW your builder should have told you this, if this is the case

CBee · Feb 26, 2022 8:02 am

StructuralBIMGuy

CBee

I am just so annoyed because they are supposed to be 'custom' vanities and I am paying a heap for them.

If you are paying more than IKEA then you should be angry their depth is 48cm approx.
LOL, Sounds like custom is anything that doesn't come from the green shed (humour)
Is the guy a standard importer that just fixes?
BTW your builder should have told you this, if this is the case

We are paying for a 'custom' vanity. That's what it says in our selections. It costs alot more than the standard one piece you get from IKEA.
They never advised of minimum depth.

The bathroom is 1.3 wide and is for an ageing person. I think 48cm might be too obstructive??Initially they wanted to put a 60cm deep vanity in there!! Many back and forth emails to get it down to 48cm. lol.

StructuralBIMGuy · Feb 26, 2022 8:17 am

We are Custom Builders and we tell clients cabinets "By Flat Pack jack" (Humour)
try Searching AS4299 Adaptive housing

Spazzen · Feb 26, 2022 12:22 pm

CBee

StructuralBIMGuy

CBee

I am just so annoyed because they are supposed to be 'custom' vanities and I am paying a heap for them.

If you are paying more than IKEA then you should be angry their depth is 48cm approx.
LOL, Sounds like custom is anything that doesn't come from the green shed (humour)
Is the guy a standard importer that just fixes?
BTW your builder should have told you this, if this is the case

We are paying for a 'custom' vanity. That's what it says in our selections. It costs alot more than the standard one piece you get from IKEA.
They never advised of minimum depth.

The bathroom is 1.3 wide and is for an ageing person. I think 48cm might be too obstructive??Initially they wanted to put a 60cm deep vanity in there!! Many back and forth emails to get it down to 48cm. lol.

If its custom and you're paying for it tell them to point out which bit of legislation or building standard says it can't be less than 48cm.

If they can't then tell them to figure it out and build it the way you want.

chippy · Feb 26, 2022 3:39 pm

CBee
An inset basin is probably the hardest to use if you want to keep the vanity narrow.
If you use an above counter or semi recessed basin you can have a shallower depth vanity as you can use a reasonable size basin and have some of it hang Infront of the actual vanity.

chippy · Feb 26, 2022 3:54 pm

chippy

@CBee
An inset basin is probably the hardest to use if you want to keep the vanity narrow.
If you use an above counter or semi recessed basin you can have a shallower depth vanity as you can use a reasonable size basin and have some of it hang Infront of the actual vanity.

Her is a vanity I just built for a client. The top is 1450 long by 350 deep. They had to keep the size of the vanity shallow to allow enough space to walk past the shower screen.

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CBee · Feb 27, 2022 11:44 am

chippy

@CBee
An inset basin is probably the hardest to use if you want to keep the vanity narrow.
If you use an above counter or semi recessed basin you can have a shallower depth vanity as you can use a reasonable size basin and have some of it hang Infront of the actual vanity.

Her is a vanity I just built for a client. The top is 1450 long by 350 deep. They had to keep the size of the vanity shallow to allow enough space to walk past the shower screen.

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Thanks for this Chippy, they are great. I would love to achieve this kind of depth. It was the builder who suggested the inset sink. They advised they do not have any semi recessed basins in their catalogue, which would mean more costs for us picking something outside of the allowed 'selections'.
My thoughts are the vanities they are offering are clearly not custom as described in our selections. Not sure if it's worth arguing, but after seeing what can be achieved, It really bothers me more.
Thanks again!

chippy · Feb 27, 2022 2:12 pm

CBee
A semi recessed basin will allow a narrow depth vanity but also requires extra work as the benchtop needs an apron to fit the basin against. That may be why your builder doesn't want you to use them.
If you use a tapered counter top basin (something like in the pictures) it would allow for a standard vanity construction but still lets you overhang the basins at the front.
The other option is a flat backed (square style) basin that can be pushed hard against the back wall and tiled around. If you go that way it's basically basin depth plus 50-60mm.
A standard inset basin needs roughly 50mm at the back and 60 at the front for the cut out.
That can be pinched a bit tighter but that would be fairly standard.
If you have picked a standard 320mm inset vanity basin the builder should be able to get the vanity down to 420mm fairly comfortably.

CBee · Feb 27, 2022 2:34 pm

chippy

@CBee
A semi recessed basin will allow a narrow depth vanity but also requires extra work as the benchtop needs an apron to fit the basin against. That may be why your builder doesn't want you to use them.
If you use a tapered counter top basin (something like in the pictures) it would allow for a standard vanity construction but still lets you overhang the basins at the front.
The other option is a flat backed (square style) basin that can be pushed hard against the back wall and tiled around. If you go that way it's basically basin depth plus 50-60mm.
A standard inset basin needs roughly 50mm at the back and 60 at the front for the cut out.
That can be pinched a bit tighter but that would be fairly standard.
If you have picked a standard 320mm inset vanity basin the builder should be able to get the vanity down to 420mm fairly comfortably.

Hey Chippy, yep I don't think they want to use the semi recessed for the reasons you mention. I also mentioned putting the basin to the wall and they came back with something about water proofing and warranty issues if the water gets behind the basin and and... blah blah. I think to maintain a good relationship with them I will overlook it and go with the 48cm, I can always rip the bloody thing off the wall if it's bad. Luckily, I have tilers in the family!

Thanks again!

Echo2k3 · Feb 27, 2022 10:05 pm

I find it odd they’re ‘custom’ yet won’t let you go smaller or to the wall for the basin.
Back in 2013 I was on a very strict budget building my first home, everything was basic (no flooring, paint, curtains etc).
My bench tops were 35cm in depth and I had semi recessed basins so they stuck out a touch more, but they weren’t small basins by any means so they could have been smaller and not stuck out! The basins went all the way to the back wall and in 8yrs of living there I had zero water proofing issues..

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CBee · Mar 03, 2022 4:40 pm

Echo2k3

I find it odd they’re ‘custom’ yet won’t let you go smaller or to the wall for the basin.
Back in 2013 I was on a very strict budget building my first home, everything was basic (no flooring, paint, curtains etc).
My bench tops were 35cm in depth and I had semi recessed basins so they stuck out a touch more, but they weren’t small basins by any means so they could have been smaller and not stuck out! The basins went all the way to the back wall and in 8yrs of living there I had zero water proofing issues..

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Hi Echo2k3. Yes me too. It's misleading in my opinion. Thanks for sharing the pic! I would prefer recessed basins but it's a no-go for us unfortunately.