The quality of people’s life on the rise, and the requirements of the bathroom are also more and more high. Floating vanity as a kind of bathroom cabinet will be more and more used in life.
Suppose you have limited bathroom space and want to enjoy incredible bathroom aesthetics. Then you cannot deny the importance of floating vanity in this sense. After acquiring the floating vanity, the only issue many face is the appropriate installation.
But you don’t need to worry in this regard. This guide will highlight installing floating vanity, essential materials and tooling requirements, and more. Sounds captivating? Let’s dive right in!
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Floating Vanity – Overview
Floating vanity also refers to the wall-mounted/wall-hung vanity. Unlike traditional cabinets, this vanity does not need any floor extension/foundation. This way, you can free up floor space by using floating vanity. It comes in various styles/profiles from slim to thick and with multiple cabinets. You can choose anyone as per your needs.
How To Install A Floating Vanity? – Step By Step Process
Follow these steps to deal with the appropriate installation of the floating vanity:
Gather Tools and Materials
Before beginning the installation process, you must acquire the materials and tools to assist you. The list of the tools you need includes:
- Measuring Tape
- Leveler
- Drill and Bits
- Stud Detector
- Hand Saw/ Mitre Saw
- Wallboard Saw
- Hole Saws
- Silicone Gun
- Hammer
- Laser Level
- Pencil
- Wrench or Pliers.
The list of materials that you need includes:
- Silicone
- Plasterboard Screws
- Screws
- Vanity
- Gap Filling Compound
- Framing Timber (Optional)
- Gap Filling Compound
- Wall Anchors (Optional)
- Wall Brackets (Optional)
Before Beginning
Before beginning the installation process of the floating vanity, take care of the following things:
- If you install the floating vanity, you may need to change the waste or water pipes route. You don’t need to do this if you upgrade the existing vanity. Apart from this, if you want to change the location of the floating vanity, then it would help if you dealt with the re-routing of the pipe fittings.
- Turn off the main water supply. Ensure to eliminate the water pressure build-up by opening the tap within your plumbing system.
- Now remove the tapware and waste pipe. Unscrew the trap and draw the connections between cold and hotlines. Remember to put caps on the cold and hot pipe end. This will help you turn the water supply on while working with the floating vanity installation.
Solid Fixings Installation
The solid fixings will serve as the foundation for the floating vanity installation. You may have these solid fixings installed or not. It depends on the walls you have in your bathroom.
If you have dry walls, you may have the frame studs behind. To locate them, you need to use a stud detector. If you don’t have dry walls, you must install a stud on the cement wall first. This stud ensures a solid foundation and holds the screws effectively in place.
If you have no solid fixings (studs) behind or at an appropriate location, then you need to install ones.
Studs Installation Steps
To accomplish this objective, follow these steps:
- To begin with, the solid fixings installation utilizes a stud detector to detect any stud behind. The stud detector helps you see any wirings or piping points and ensure the prevention of accidents. After witnessing the stud behind the wall, begin removing the plasterboard.
- First, mark the points on the plasterboard you want to remove. Make sure to keep these points 50 mm smaller than the dimensions of the floating vanity. Use a wallboard saw for this purpose after removing the plasterboard. Assess the presence of the studs.
- Point out the distance between the fixing points on the vanity and ensure the studs are in the appropriate place. If not, you need to install the additional studs to ensure the provision of a solid foundation. For this purpose, use the hand saw pencil, measuring tape, screws, anchors, and drill. This will help you to cut and install the stud in exact dimensions as per requirement.
- To ensure a stronger foundation, insert the screws within the studs at an angle or inclined form. This will help join the stud with the base in a more appropriate format.
- After dealing with the studs, you can insulate the opening with the building paper/plasterboard. This is essential for external wall work. Cut the holes within the plasterboard using hole saws per pipe numbers and dimensions. Make use of a gap-filling compound around the plasterboard perimeter and around the pipe holes. This will play a role in joining the plasterboard and eliminating the gap.
- After insulating the opening, you can paint the insulation or leave it as it is. Vanity covers this area, and no one is going to notice it.
Dealing With The Measurements
The measurements are the key to installing your floating vanity correctly. For this purpose, follow these steps:
- Firstly, measure the height of the floating vanity. Use the measuring tape to get the exact size of the floating vanity. The standard height lies in the range of 850mm up to 900mm. In case there is a vessel bowl present on the vanity top. Then, in this case, the height of the vanity will be above 950mm.
- Measuring the vessel’s height allows you to locate the placement of the vanity. Use the pencil to mark the size of the floating vanity on the plasterboard foundation/studs. Measure the distance between the center of fixation points of the superiority.
- Then transfer these points to the stud/foundation. Make use of the leveler while marking the facts on the foundation. This ensures the correct level of the vanity after installation. These points will assist you in knowing the exact location where your vanity will go on the wall.
Floating Vanity Installation
The steps you need to act upon for a successful floating vanity installation are as follows:
- After marking the points on the plasterboard/stud foundation, it now comes to drilling holes in the vanity’s backside to ensure pipe placement. You can use the spot saw a bit on the drilling device. Choose a saw bit having a size of at least 5mm more significant than the diameter of pipes. (Please note some floating vanities have built-in placement for the pipe fittings. For such vanities, you can avoid this step).
- After this, place the floating vanity on the wall with appropriate floor support. You can use the table for this purpose. This is essential to align the floating vanity with the marked points on the wall. Use a laser leveler for this purpose to ensure accurate alignment.
- (Please note some vanities use external brackets, and some use internal frames) For the internal brackets vanity, insert the screws by placing the frame in marked locations. Install all the screws into the studs through brackets. This will help you finalize the installation process.
- Use the silicone on the wall behind the vanity to strengthen the support. Apart from this, use silicone on the basin for firm placement. Now check for the stability of the floating vanity. If improper stabilization exists, use gap-filling compound and silicone at appropriate locations to ensure stability.
- Finally, reconnect the taps, water pipes, and wiring connections. Now you can begin using your floating vanity.
Please note the floating vanities, which require an external bracket. You don’t need to drill the screw through the vanity. Instead, you need to install the bracket using screws into the studs. After that, you must place the vanity on the installed rack. Other installations for these vanities will remain the same as above.
Testing and Inspection
Testing and inspection ensure your floating vanity’s smooth and active functioning. Consider the following measures:
- Turn the water supply on and assess for leakage. For this purpose, inspect all fixtures and connections. Ensure they all are watertight and feature proper sealing.
- Open and close the cabinets or doors of the floating vanity and inspect if they all are working correctly. In case of note, deal with the adjustments to ensure optimum operation.
Safety Precautions and Tips
By acting upon the following safety measures and tips, you can ensure a successful and smooth floating vanity installation:
- Wear the safety mask, gloves, and glasses throughout the floating vanity installation. This way, you can prevent injuries.
- Cross-check the measurements and leveling to ensure higher accuracy. Take the aid of a helper to smooth out the installation process.
- Do not rush. Instead, work with peace, and ensure proper vanity securing to the wall. Properly level it and avoid the pitfalls. That will help you get the most out of your floating vanity in the long run.
Conclusion
Now you know everything you need for floating vanity installation. The above procedure is enough to help you install any type or variant of the floating vanity you got. Remember the safety measures and tips while installing the floating vanity.
Arrange all the tools and materials as mentioned above before the installation. You need to complete any material or tool to avoid installation and difficulties. Utilize the above method today and comment with your thoughts on how this method helped you in installing your floating vanity.
