Basin depth is the spec most buyers skip and most regret. On a pedestal sink it is not a minor number — it changes how much water lands on the floor, how the basin feels to use, and how often you wipe it down. Our pedestals come in two interior depths: 12 cm (4.7 in) and 17 cm (6.7 in). This guide explains the real difference so you specify the right one.
Both are solid surface (artificial stone), non-ceramic sanitary ware. Depth is the water-holding distance from the rim down to the waste shoulder, not the outside thickness of the bowl.
The two depths at a glance
| Shallow basin | Deep basin | |
|---|---|---|
| Interior depth | 12 cm / 4.7 in | 17 cm / 6.7 in |
| Water held | Less | More |
| Splash onto floor | Higher with strong flow | Lower |
| Hand-wash feel | Closer to the rim | More room below the hands |
| Cleaning effort | Rim and sides easy to reach | Slightly deeper to wipe |
| Best for | Powder rooms, low-traffic guest baths | Family baths, rentals, high-traffic |
Splash: the reason depth is not cosmetic
The single biggest difference is where the water goes. With a shallow 12 cm basin, the water level sits close to the rim. A strong tap stream or a quick hand-wash pushes more water up the sides and over the front edge onto the floor and the user.
The 17 cm basin holds the water roughly 5 cm lower relative to the rim. That extra depth absorbs the stream and the splash back. In a room with hard flooring right at the basin — most powder rooms — the deep basin keeps the floor drier with no other change.
This is why we steer high-traffic and family baths to the deep basin by default.
Feel: how the basin meets the hands
A shallow basin puts the user's hands near the rim. It reads as compact and tidy, which suits a formal powder room where the sink is seen more than used.
A deep basin gives room below the hands. Washing, filling a vessel, or rinsing a razor feels less cramped. Users over about 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) often prefer the deeper bowl simply because the rim is not in the way.
Neither is "wrong." They serve different rooms.
Cleaning: deeper is not harder, just different
People assume a deeper basin is harder to clean. In practice the difference is small. Both our basins are one-piece solid surface with no seam at the bottom, so there is no lip to trap grime. The deep basin has a slightly longer sides to wipe, but the seamless interior means a single pass with a cloth covers it.
Where depth actually helps cleaning is stain resistance. Our material is independently tested to JC/T 2116-2012 (Foshan quality inspection G21-WT11798T) with water absorption of 0.1% (standard ≤0.5%). Low absorption means toothpaste, soap, and hard-water marks sit on the surface, not in it, so they wipe off rather than stain in — true of both depths.
Which depth to specify
Choose the 12 cm shallow basin when:
- The room is a powder room or low-traffic guest bath
- The basin is mostly for hand-washing and seen more than used
- You want the most compact, tidy look at the rim
Choose the 17 cm deep basin when:
- The bath sees daily family use
- It is a rental, Airbnb, or hotel guest room with frequent washing
- The floor at the basin is hard and you want less splash cleanup
- Taller users will use it regularly
If you are specifying for a mixed portfolio — say a hotel with powder rooms and en-suites — split by room type, not by a single default.
One honest limit on depth
Depth does not fix everything. A pedestal has no deck storage and, as a full column, no accessible knee clearance — it is not ADA compliant. Depth also cannot compensate for a mis-set faucet or a tap with too high a flow; pair the deep basin with a standard-flow wall or deck-mounted faucet and you get the splash benefit. For accessible baths, use a wall-hung or half-pedestal basin instead.
Material and certification note
Our basins are solid surface (artificial stone), non-ceramic sanitary ware. Material is independently tested to JC/T 2116-2012 (Foshan quality inspection G21-WT11798T): water absorption 0.1%, Barcol hardness 46 (standard ≥35). The raw material (unsaturated polyester resin 201B) is compliant with EU RoHS per SGS report SZXEC23002470101. cUPC and CE are in progress, test report available — we do not claim either mark.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a 12 cm and 17 cm pedestal basin? The 17 cm basin holds water about 5 cm lower than the rim, reducing splash and feeling roomier; the 12 cm basin is more compact and tidy at the rim, suited to powder rooms.
Which depth splashes less? The 17 cm (6.7 in) deep basin splashes less because the water sits further below the rim.
Is a deeper basin harder to clean? Not meaningfully. Both are seamless one-piece solid surface with 0.1% water absorption, so marks wipe off the surface rather than staining in.
Does basin depth affect ADA compliance? No — depth is not the issue. The full column blocks knee clearance, so a full pedestal is not ADA compliant regardless of depth. Use a wall-hung or half-pedestal basin.
Which depth should a rental property use? The 17 cm deep basin, for lower splash and a roomier feel under frequent use.
Want the deeper bowl? Our deep-basin pedestals keep the same 17.7 in (450 mm) footprint.
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About the data: depths are our production dimensions; splash and feel descriptions reflect typical user experience with solid surface basins. Material values are from Foshan quality inspection report G21-WT11798T (JC/T 2116-2012). Confirm against your actual room and use before specifying.