A lavatory and sink are two of the facilities that are there for this purpose. Most people think both terms are the same, but this is not true. They have different meanings.
Key Takeaways
- A lavatory is a specific type of sink for personal hygiene, primarily found in bathrooms.
- A sink is a broader term encompassing various designs and purposes, including kitchen and utility sinks.
- Although both terms can be used interchangeably in some contexts, a lavatory refers specifically to bathroom sinks, whereas sinks can refer to any basin for holding water.
A Lavatory vs A Sink
Lavatories are sinks designed for washing hands and faces, made from a variety of materials. A sink is a type of basin used for washing, similar to a lavatory, with a bowl-shaped basin, drain, and faucet. It may be larger or smaller than lavatories, and made from different materials depending on its intended use.
A lavatory is a term that brings images of a bathroom or a restroom to mind. It is a fixture present in the restroom and a type of room that you use to excrete waste and urine.
You use it in the restroom to wash hands and for other purposes. People prefer ceramic in lavatories and stainless steel in kitchens.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | A Lavatory | A Sink |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is a bathroom or a toilet. | It is an object in the shape of a bowl present in the bathroom and the kitchen. |
| Use | To take a bath and excrete urine and waste. | To wash vegetables and utensils in the kitchen and hands in the bathroom. |
| Material | Ceramic | Stainless steel |
| Parts | Bathtub, basin, and mirror. | Faucet, drain, and tap. |
| Type | Quarter, three quarters, and master. | Vessel and vanity. |
What is A Lavatory?
It is a room that contains a sink for washing and a toilet fixture to excrete urine. They use ceramic to make lavatories. People keep various things in restrooms as a shower, a tub, a sink, and a toilet is a few among them.
Mostly they keep the area for restrooms to the north of the house. It is because they want ventilation and natural light.
Choose the ones that are slip-resistant as well as mildew-resistant for the surface and floors. You can have a full bath so that you can have access to all the components.
One can have different types of restrooms or bathrooms in their home. It is either a three-quarter, quarter, half, or master lavatory. You can select according to your needs.
What is A Sink?
A sink is a large container and has the shape of a bowl. It is there to wash the utensils and other products at your home. It is present both in the kitchen and the bathroom. In the kitchen, you wash vegetables and dishes; in the restroom, you use them to brush your teeth and wash your hands and face.
A kitchen sink is one of the most indispensable objects. You can have a sink like- glossy, satin, and anti-scratch. Either it contains an enamel coating or stainless steel.
You can choose a sink based on its shape and mounting options. They are of different types: under-mount sinks, self-rimming sinks, vessel sinks, and vanity sinks.
Try to make a habit of cleaning it every time after use. There are scrubs to clean after you have done with the dishes.
Main Differences Between A Lavatory and A Sink
- A lavatory contains a toilet, a bathtub, and a basin. A sink has a faucet, a drain, a tailpiece, a tap, and a basin.
- You can have a quarter, three quarters, or a master lavatory. On the other hand, you can make a vessel sink, a vanity sink, or an undermount sink.
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1976-26047-001
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/adbc/c3fd6d611dcc86956993792fc8c12f49d897.pdf
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
The detailed explanation about the materials used for lavatories – ceramic, and for sinks – stainless steel, is quite informative.
The links to academic references at the end of the article add credibility to the information provided. Excellent work.
The layout and types of lavatories and sinks explained here are well-detailed and easy to comprehend.
The comparison table provided indeed helps to understand the function and purpose of both lavatories and sinks.
The article’s elucidation of the main differences between a lavatory containing a toilet, a bathtub, and a basin, and a sink having a faucet, drain, tailpiece, tap, and a basin, adds substantial value to the topic.
It’s interesting to learn about the differences between different types of lavatories and sinks. The article provided a comprehensive comparison of the two.
This article is so informative. I found the details about the parts and types of lavatories and sinks particularly insightful.
I agree, the information about different parts and types added depth to the comparison between lavatories and sinks.
I couldn’t agree more. The details about the components and their different types were quite enlightening.
A very useful article, in which the author explains the differences between a lavatory and a sink. People generally use both terms interchangeably.