Shaws Sink Installation

Due to the handcrafted nature and weight of our sinks, we recommend a specialist kitchen or bathroom fitter installs your Shaws sink. Here are some tips.

A Shaws sink is made from fireclay, a dense clay that transforms into an immensely durable ceramic when fired at high temperature. This makes it much heavier than other ceramic sinks. Our largest sinks are around 80kg – roughly the weight of an average man in the UK. So they need careful handling, and the cabinetry needs to be capable of supporting the weight.

As each sink is handcrafted, it is important to understand that each sink is one of a kind and no two are the same. All Shaws handmade sinks have a +/- 2% variance in size, therefore it is advisable NOT to cut or drill worktops or cabinetry until you have checked your individual sink. Installation templates are not available. You will require your physical sink to trace the template for worktops and cover panels or surrounds.

Due to the weight of a Shaws sink, it is important that the cabinetry being used is of suitable strength and sound construction. A typical installation includes a timber support frame and a quality moisture-resistant baseboard. We also recommend that 2 persons are used to lift the sink into place.

Any kitchen or bathroom benefits from expert installation. High-quality products look their best when they are fitted with meticulous attention to detail. Spend time identifying a specialist professional you feel comfortable with. Online review sites can be helpful in forming a shortlist. Judge their understanding of the project just as much as the quote. It may be worth asking to see one of their previous jobs, or talking to a recent customer.

If you are fitting the sink yourself, we have prepared a short video that explains how to prepare and fit an apron-fronted sink. Although we don’t show tap fitting in the video, remember that generally taps and accessories should be fitted prior to the sink, as access is much more difficult afterwards. The same is true of sink overflow kits – most Shaws sinks have overflows, and these cannot be installed after the sink is fitted.

Having a bespoke handmade item in your home is truly something special and requires some consideration prior to commencing installation. We have seen many beautiful projects, approached in different ways.  You may prefer your benchtop to be flush mounted to the interior of the basin wall, or a half-reveal on the top edge of the basin.