Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Stainless Steel Sink Guide

Here at Coordinated Kitchen & Bath in North Vancouver we have created a rough guide to purchasing a stainless steel sink. Whether a top-mount or under-mount sink, there are some important considerations to be made before purchasing a stainless steel sink for your kitchen.

Gauge: Stainless Steel Sinks come in a number of different gauges. Gauge refers to the number of times that the stainless steel is forced through a gap during its formation process. Each gap gets subsequently smaller with each pass, thereby, the lower the number, the thicker the stainless steel. Typically people purchase 18 gauge sinks. Commercial sinks are usually 14 – 16 gauge and come in limited varieties of style.

Bowls: Double-bowl sinks allow for greater flexibility in food preparation and washing. However, dependent on the look, feel, and application of your kitchen a single-bowl sink could be the right fit. Consider the application of your kitchen and how you intend to use it before leaning one way or the other.

Depth: Sink bowls are often 6 – 12 inches deep. Consider the height or you countertop and how comfortable it will be to reach down into a deep sink bowl before purchasing.  With under-mount sinks take into consideration the depth of the countertop as well, as it will add to the overall depth of your sink.