Over the last decade stainless steel sinks have become increasingly popular in modern homes. They help to accent architectural detail and finishes. Clean lines and cool textures reflect surrounding colors and patterns. Stainless steel will complement your décor long after trendy colors are out of style. This is particularly relevant in contemporary or modern design settings.
When choosing which steel sink is right for your home one of the main considerations is the gauge of the stainless steel. The gauge refers to the thickness of the steel. The lower the gauge, the thicker and thus better the steel. Accordingly, 18 gauge is thicker and more durable than 20 gauge.
18g is considered by most to be a good thickness for use in a kitchen sink. You should have very little denting from an 18g sink. As a result this has become the industry standard. However, as time passes, people are beginning to notice that 16 gauge sinks are far superior when compared to their 18g counterparts. Consequently, one will seldom find an 18g sink in a luxurious home, they almost ubiquitously employ 16 gauge sinks. Until now…
The time has finally come to where homeowners can get even higher quality sinks. 14 gauge sinks have recently become available for residential homes. In the past only industrial sinks were made with such high quality materials. Manufacturers have seemingly noticed the market trend toward the superior 16g sinks and followed suite by providing homeowners with 14 gauge stainless steel options.
Benefits of stainless steel:
Large Basin Capacity: The light weight yet durable qualities allow for it to be formed into larger and deeper bowls that may not otherwise be possible with other materials such as the commonly used cast iron.
Shock Absorbent: It has a decent amount of give. This means that on impact it creates a slight cushion for glasses and dishes which will help prevent the dishes from getting damaged.
Eco Friendly: It is a recyclable material and it doesn’t degrade or lose any of its qualities during the recycling process.
Low Cost: They are much more affordable than other sink options. Having said that, steel quality and other specifications can vary greatly so there are indeed some very high end and expensive stainless steel sinks.
Durability: These are so durable that a 14 gauge sink will likely outlast your kitchen.
Easy to Maintain: It is easy to care for and is not effected by household cleaning chemicals.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a new sink I would highly suggest browsing a few 14 gauge models.
