Trough sinks for schools
A wash trough lets several pupils wash their hands at once, with no gaps between basins for water to pool and fewer joints to clean. It is the usual choice for primary schools and busy secondary blocks.
A stainless steel wash trough from 1.2 m to 2.4 m long is listed at about £601 before VAT, supply only. Taps, thermostatic mixing and fitting come on top.
Why troughs suit schools
- A class washes quickly before lunch, so queues are shorter.
- One long bowl is easier to clean than several basins and vanity joints.
- Stainless steel and solid surface stand up to knocks and scrubbing.
- Taps can be spaced and set at heights for different ages.
- Works well in an open wash area that staff can see from the corridor.
Trough prices
| Item | Guide price, ex VAT |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel wash trough 1.2 m, 1.8 m or 2.4 m, supply only | From £601 |
| Fitted in a block refit Usually priced within the block refit, with taps and mixing valve | £25k to £30k |
Where these figures come from
Trough price is a list price before VAT from published UK washroom supplier price lists, autumn 2026. The refit figure comes from published UK contractor price guides, autumn 2026, for a boys’ and girls’ room. A guide, not a quote.
What to specify
The details that decide whether a school washroom still works in ten years.
Length and tap spacing
Allow enough space at each tap for a pupil to wash without elbows clashing. A 2.4 m trough usually serves four.
Height for the age group
Set lower for infants and higher for juniors and secondary pupils. Split the run where ages share a room.
Safe warm water
DfE advice gives 43°C as the usual maximum at nursery and primary basins. A thermostatic mixing valve does this.
Taps that turn off
Non-concussive push taps or sensor taps stop floods and save water.
Material
Stainless steel is tough and cheap; solid surface looks warmer and can be moulded with a tap deck.
Drying and soap
Plan hand dryers or towel dispensers and soap at each station so pupils do not walk wet hands across the room.
Swapping basins for a trough as part of a refit? Send us the brief.
Ask for a free quoteHow a trough goes in
Measure
Wall length, the age of the users and how many taps you need.
Supply and mixing
Hot and cold supply with a thermostatic mixing valve, and a waste sized for the trough.
Fix and seal
Fixed to the wall or IPS frame, sealed, and tested for leaks and water temperature.
Questions people ask
How big should a school trough sink be?
Size it on the number of pupils who wash at once. A 2.4 m trough is commonly fitted with four taps; shorter troughs suit smaller rooms.
How hot should water be at school basins?
DfE advice says hot water at the point of use should not pose a scalding risk, and 43°C is generally the maximum for nursery and primary washbasins. See Standards for school premises.
How much does a trough sink for a school cost?
A stainless steel wash trough is listed at about £601 before VAT, supply only. Taps, the mixing valve and fitting add to that.
Stainless steel or solid surface?
Stainless steel is cheaper and very hard wearing. Solid surface looks softer and suits a refurbished primary block, but costs more.
Get quotes for trough sinks
Three short steps: where the school is, what the block needs, and how to reach you. It takes about two minutes.
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