Have you recently purchased a granite countertop for your new home or updated and remodeled it? If so, you were probably shocked by the prices when you were sent to a plumbing supply center or kitchen and bath dealer to pick out your stainless steel sink and faucets. Rule number one when selecting a sink is to stay away from hype and not overpay for a name-brand sink that your neighbors won’t recognize. Focus on quality and utility, your kitchen is a hub of work and your sink should complement your family’s lifestyle. Do you cook a lot and wash large pans? If so, you might want to consider a large 30 X 18 bowl. This sink is the current trend. Once you select the appropriate style sink for your family, you must consider the quality of the sink.
The quality features of an undermount sink are that it should be 18 gauge. There is a lot of hype around 16 gauge sinks right now. The industry standard is 18 and it is more than adequate. The difference between 16 and 18 is minimal, most companies that advertise a 16 gauge sink are using a three piece construction (not desirable) and only the deck plate is 16. In these cases you will find that the manufacturer reduces production costs when manufacturing the bowls. in 20 gauge (stay away from a sink like this). You also need to find a sink that has a very good undercoat and is padded. The base layer is used to control condensation and reduce noise. The rubber pad is a must to make your sink really quiet.
Certification is critical, especially with stainless steel sinks; You must ensure that the steel used in the construction of the sink is 304 surgical grade stainless steel. The sink must also be constructed to meet the criteria required by AMSE A112.19.3-2000 Stainless Steel Plumbing Fixtures. This certification is all the more important because county and local building inspectors have lobbied to see either a UPC certification or a certification from an IAPMO-approved testing center before passing a final plumbing inspection. There are some companies that produce a high quality sink and that are certified. There is no reason to pay $600-900 for a stainless steel sink. You can find many quality sinks on the market today. Finding a good quality one that has also taken the time to certify their product is a bit tricky, but there are a few. there and you should be able to purchase a product for less than $200.00 and receive a product comparable to any Elkay or Blanco.
