How to Compare The Quality Of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
There are four factors that affect the quality of a Stainless-Steel Kitchen Sink. To compare one sink to another two important numbers are quality indicators.
1. Material Thickness:
The first number you need to know is the gauge of the steel. Higher quality sinks are made with 18-gauge steel. When referring to the thickness of metal the lower the number the thicker and more durable the steel is. 18 gauge is better than 20. A thicker gauge steel will not dent easily with heavy pots or be as noisy as a thinner gauge one.
2. Material Blend:
Kitchen sinks are a mixture of steel, chromium and nickel alloys. The second pertinent number is a ratio which expresses the combination of these elements. The first part of the ratio refers to the chromium content the second to the nickel content. A high quality surgical grade stainless is an 18/10 ratio.
Why are the elements blended you may ask? Chromium (18) is to give the metal corrosion protection and nickel (10) is used to increase strength and durability.
Some manufacturers use an 18/8 combination which reduces the cost but also reduces the lustre and the quality.
3. Sound Absorbing Material:
The last element that adds quality to a sink is sound absorbing material, often sprayed on the bottom of a sink. Sound absorbing pads attached to the bottom are sometimes used. Both reduce noise and the condensation on the underside of the sink caused by varying temperatures of water in the sink.
4. Finish:
A high polish finish is more labour intensive to produce and more expensive. A satin finish will wear better however than the highly polished one as it does not show scratches as easily.
For more Kitchen Design & Planning Information visit our Resources.
Great tips you shared and really helpful to learn the differences in every materials and to have expertise to find the details. Thank you for sharing this great ideas and it is very appreciate, keep up the good works.
Hi, You are really brilliant. I also think These four factors that affect the quality of a Stainless-Steel Kitchen Sink. You explain it like an expert. I will keep it in my mind. Thanks for the sharing such an informative article.