One of the questions we’re asked all the time—and come across a lot on the web—is the role of “gauge” in choosing a stainless steel sink.
Gauge is the measure of metal’s thickness. The smaller the number, the thicker the sheet. So, all else being equal, a 16-gauge sink might be better quality than a 22-gauge sink. But, of course, there’s more to the story.
When you’re comparing, say, 16- and 18-gauge stainless steel, the difference is 1/100th of an inch—about as thick as three sheets of printer paper. As long as you’re in the 16- to 20-gauge range, thickness won’t be an issue.
So what’s really important? Even though it can’t be boiled down to one number, choosing the right sink doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s what else to consider:
- What’s in your steel. There are many recipes for stainless steel, but unless you’re a mechanical engineer, you probably don’t need (or want) to drill down to the molecular structure of a sink. Suffice it to say that a sink from a reputable company is likely to use what’s known in the industry as “304″ stainless steel, made with 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This will be strong, rust resistant and easy to clean, and it’ll keep its good looks for a lifetime.
- Noise control. You might think you need a heavier-weight sink to muffle sound. In reality, quality sound absorption is a better solution to the rain-on-a-tin-roof issue. Some manufacturers spray the underside with a special coating. Others use sound-dampening pads. A few use both. Go into the showroom, bang on the sink walls, and see what works for you.
- Truth in marketing. Manufacturers whose names you recognize are almost certainly adhering to the Uniform Plumbing Code standard, and they’ll say so. Unfortunately, no-name sinks are constantly coming on the market. They’ll claim to be 16-gauge or 304 steel, and the homeowner won’t know they’ve been duped until the sink rusts, dents or otherwise embarrasses them at the next holiday gathering.
Bottom line? See the product. Know the manufacturer. And don’t get too attached to a single measure of quality. Like anything, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
