At what height should a sink be installed?

Before starting to furnish the bathroom, we browse catalogs for inspiration. We dream of an interior like a picture - elegant and tasteful. Meanwhile, functionality and ergonomics are important in the bathroom. Individual sanitary fixtures must be installed at a height that ensures comfortable and safe conditions for daily hygiene. This is particularly true for sinks, which we use most frequently to wash our hands. At what height should the sink be located? What is the preferred height for wall-mounted, countertop, or undermount sinks? Are there regulations and standards governing the installation issue?

Optimal sink height - regulations and standards

Until recently, information on the height of sink installation was included in the Technical Conditions for Execution and Acceptance of Construction and Installation Works, part II “Sanitary and Industrial Installations.” According to the standards contained there, a sink for preschool children should be installed at a height of 60 cm, and for adults at a height of 75-80 cm. These parameters referred to the population from the 1960s and 1970s when the average height of adult Poles oscillated around 160 cm.

Currently, both youth and adults have significantly exceeded this height. Over the last hundred years, the average height for men and women has increased by 13.6 and 14 cm respectively. Therefore, during sink installation, the recommended optimal height from the floor to the top edge, in accordance with European standards:

• for users with a height of 120 cm, sink at a height of about 60 cm,
• for users with a height of 130 cm, sink at a height of 65 cm, etc.

Interestingly, an additional 10 cm increase in height raises the sink installation height by 5 cm.

What is the height of the sink in practice

As indicated in the table, the standard height for sink installation is 85-95 cm, with the assumption that at this height, the top edge of the bowl should be measured from the floor. Of course, these are recommended values, which does not mean that they must be strictly adhered to, since the standards do not directly regulate sink height. When arranging a private bathroom, three factors should be considered primarily.

Height of users

The sink should be installed at a level that allows adult household members to use it in an upright position without the need to bend over the bowl. At the same time, the fixture cannot be hung too high because then washing hands or the face may become uncomfortable - water dripping along the wrists will fall on the floor or soak clothing.

Presence of disabled individuals in the home

The height of the sink for individuals with disabilities, who use a wheelchair, may be maintained at a level of about 80-85 cm but must account for the overhang of the countertop edge to allow for wheelchair access for hand washing.

Height of sink drain and water connections

In the case of installing a sink at a height of 85-90 cm, the drain should be located about 55 cm above the floor, and the water connections at a height of 55-65 cm. This will allow for the free connection of the faucet hoses to the valves and connection of the sink drain to the sewer outlet. In an already existing bathroom, there is no special room for maneuver - the height of the sink installation must be correlated with the existing water and sewage connections.

Height of sinks for children

The rapid growth rate of children justifies the contraindication of mounting a sink at a height suited to their height. To make it easier for them to use the fixture, it is best to buy an anti-slip stool. Thanks to it, young children can easily reach the tap. Naturally, we are talking about bathrooms in private homes. The situation is different in nurseries, kindergartens, and elementary schools. According to the MENiS Regulation of December 31, 2002, on general safety and hygiene rules in schools and public institutions, every educational institution must provide its wards with appropriate sanitary conditions. However, the guidelines contained in this legal act do not regulate at what height sanitary fixtures should be installed. In the case of sinks, only the following norms are applied:

• for children under 3 years old with a height below 90 cm, the recommended installation height for the sink is 50 cm from the floor to the upper edge of the sink,
• for children aged 3-6 years and a height of 90-120 cm, the sink should be installed at a height of 55-65 cm,
• for 7-11 year olds measuring 120-150 cm, the height of the sink should not exceed 65-75 cm,
• for students aged 12-15 years and a height of 150-170 cm, the height of the sink installation should be about 75-85 cm.

When installing a sink in a home bathroom, we certainly do not have to adhere to the provided norms or guidelines, but it is worth keeping them in mind - after all, they correspond to the actual heights of the individuals using the sinks.

At what height should a countertop sink be installed?

A countertop sink should be installed on the same principles as wall-mounted or undermount sinks, but it is essential to consider the distance from the counter to the floor and the height of the bowl edge. The top edge of countertop sinks should be located at a height of 85-90 cm. Assuming that most sinks available on the market have a depth of 10-15 cm, the counter should be positioned about 75 cm above the floor.

It often happens, especially in small bathrooms, that under the counter must be a washing machine and/or dryer. In that case, it is worth considering whether countertop sinks will be a good option. Considering that the mentioned devices are about 85 cm high, plus a few centimeters of space under the counter, plus the thickness and depth of the sink, it may turn out that its top edge will be above 100 cm. Such a position of a countertop sink will be uncomfortable even for adults. In that case, consider installing an undermount sink.

Bathroom furniture, especially cabinets with an opening in the countertop intended for sink installation, play an important role in sanitary installation. Their height of 80 cm, sometimes 85 cm, also determines at what height the sinks will be located.