Choosing A Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink For Your New Kitchen

If you're renovating your kitchen, one thing you will need to decide upon is a kitchen sink. While sinks are manufactured in a vast variety of materials; stainless steel remains an old favourite. Before installing one, however, you need to make three important choices regarding the sinks configuration, its gauge or thickness and also the finish.

Selecting A Configuration And Installation Type

Stainless steel is an extremely pliable material that can be moulded into virtually any shape during the manufacturing process so you will be presented with a wide range of configuration designs. Options include single or double sink profiles, left or right side drain positions and square or round drain shapes. Stainless steel sinks vary not only in dimension and form but in how they attach to the countertop.

A top mount style is where the sink is dropped into a hole cut out from the countertop, so the basin rim fits over the counter and carries its weight. A seamless under mount style is where the sink is installed to the underside of the countertop. With this installation type, a sturdy counter is needed to support the bowl's weight.

Deciding On A Sink Guage

Stainless steel sinks are manufactured in different gauges or thicknesses: the lower the grade, the thicker the sink wall. So, for example, 18 gauge stainless steel is thicker and heavier than 20 gauge. The thickness is important because heavier gauges will dent less easily, retain heat better and also make less clattering noise during dishwashing. Another factor however that counterbalances the sinks gauge is insulation; if the underside is coated or insulated with a material such as latex, this can help with both heat retention and noise reduction.

Choosing A Practical Finish

Stainless steel sinks can also be finished differently, to be more matte or more polished. While a mirror-like polished surface is attractive, it can become grimy looking without regular and conscientious polishing to keep it smart looking. A satin or matte finish, typically achieved either through brushing techniques or chemical etching, will better disguise spots and marks and look attractive with less maintenance.

Choosing a stainless steel sink sounds straightforward, but it does take multiple decisions. Of course, all the customisation options are what makes steel such an excellent choice for kitchen renovations, as you will have no problems matching the sink to other elements such as the tapware, countertop and splashback.

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