Sinks: beyond plain old white.(HOME: BATHROOM MAKEOVERS)

Move over, porcelain: Glass and even stainless steel are among the new materials that are changing the style and shape of bathroom sinks.

Vessel sinks like the one at right are the latest option. Unlike undermount sinks, these above-mount models sit proudly on the counter. You'll find them in glass, stainless steel, and other materials. You'll also see other sinks with the added toughness of enameled cast iron or steel.

Some of these new materials can cost about the same as standard porcelain, known as vitreous china. Several were better at resisting spills, scrapes, and other mishaps. But most have at least one Achilles' heel.

Glass can take a beating. Drain cleaner, nail-polish remover, and other tough staining agents didn't leave a mark on our tempered-glass sinks. While these sinks shattered under our blunt, 5-pound metal test cylinder, that happened at a drop height of 12 inches compared with 3 inches for vitreous china. What's more, the pieces were smaller and less threatening than the jagged shards from vitreous china. But both types chipped when hit with a pointed steel rod.

Thicker stainless offers no benefit. Manufacturers typically charge more for thicker, 18-gauge stainless sinks than for thinner, 23-gauge models. Our tests show that both types fended off dents and heat similarly, and silenced noise equally well.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Vitreous china remains a common choice for bathroom sinks, as does solid surfacing like the kind from Corian. But some other, newer sink materials are tougher without being pricier. Whichever sink you choose, consider these points: Pick the mount first. Undermount sinks make cleanup easier. They sit below the surrounding counter, so there's no lip or crevices to catch dirt. But they cost slightly more, are harder to install, and require a waterproof countertop.