Caroma Urbane II Basins

Caroma Urbane II basins are available in above-counter, undermount and inset mounting styles, all built around the Urbane II range's clean, squared-off design language. The mounting type is usually the first decision to make, since it determines the vanity benchtop cut-out, the overall look of the finished bathroom, and how the basin sits relative to the surrounding bench.

Above-counter Urbane II basins

An above-counter Urbane II basin sits on top of the vanity benchtop rather than being recessed into it, so the full basin shape is visible above the bench line. This mounting style makes a stronger design statement and is easier to clean around the exterior, since there's no seam between basin and benchtop to catch grime. It does raise the effective bench height slightly, which is worth checking against tap height and overall vanity height, particularly in bathrooms used by shorter household members.

Undermount Urbane II basins

An undermount Urbane II basin sits below the benchtop line, with the benchtop material forming the visible rim around the basin opening. This gives a cleaner, more streamlined look across the whole vanity and makes wiping water directly from the counter into the basin simpler, since there's no raised rim to catch the water first. Undermount installation requires a benchtop material that can be cut and finished cleanly around the basin opening, typically stone, engineered stone or solid surface, so it's worth confirming your chosen benchtop material suits undermount installation before specifying this basin style.

Inset Urbane II basins

Inset, or drop-in, basins sit within a cut-out in the benchtop with the basin's rim visible sitting on top of the bench surface. This is generally the simplest and most budget-friendly installation method, since it works with almost any benchtop material and doesn't require the more specialised edge finishing that undermount installation needs. It's a practical middle ground between the design impact of an above-counter basin and the streamlined look of an undermount.

Design and finish

Urbane II basins use a squared, architectural shape rather than a rounded or oval bowl, which suits contemporary bathroom designs and pairs naturally with the rest of the Urbane II range, including tapware and toilet suites built around the same design language. The basin is finished in a durable vitreous china or similar ceramic material designed specifically for continuous water contact and daily cleaning.

Sizing and vanity compatibility

Urbane II basins come in a range of widths to suit different vanity sizes, from compact ensuite vanities through to wider double-basin setups in main bathrooms. Before ordering, check the basin's specific footprint and tap hole configuration against your vanity's benchtop cut-out or planned cut-out, since above-counter, undermount and inset basins each have different sizing and clearance requirements even within the same nominal width.

Choosing a mounting style

If the bathroom is being renovated from scratch with a custom benchtop, undermount gives the cleanest finished look and is worth the extra benchtop fabrication cost for a main bathroom. If you're working with a pre-fabricated or budget-conscious vanity, inset is the more practical and cost-effective choice. Above-counter suits bathrooms where the basin itself is meant to be a visible design feature rather than blending into the benchtop.

Tap hole and mixer compatibility

Urbane II basins are typically supplied with either a single tap hole for a standard mixer or no tap hole at all for wall-mounted tapware, depending on the specific model. Confirming this against your planned tapware setup before ordering avoids the common mismatch of a basin drilled for deck-mounted tapware being paired with a wall-mounted mixer, or vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions