Here we are—a new year, a fresh outlook, and an opportunity for many homeowners to embark on new renovation plans (or pick up where you left off before the holidays). To help you make the most of your kitchen budget, we wanted to share some red flags that have been popping up in the sink universe. These “disturbing trends” aren’t just bad ideas—like enormous shoulderpads or platform sneakers—although they can make you regret your decision in a few years.
“Buy a countertop, get a free sink.”
That may sound like a great deal, but who made that sink? And what is it made of? There’s a reason that no-name company hasn’t made a name for itself. It seems that some manufacturers—who aren’t in it for the long haul—are flooding the market with products they’ve made on the cheap. You can’t blame the counter fabricator for trying to win your business with a freebie, but they’re not the ones who will have to live with it. You will. Every day. For a very…long…time.
“304 or 305. Whatever it takes.”
A quality stainless steel sink by a reputable manufacturer is likely to be made with grade 304 stainless steel. This means the steel is composed of a specific ratio of metals that provides strength, durability and rust resistance, so the sink will last for a lifetime. Not-so-reputable manufacturers will say they’re using 304 stainless steel, or will make claims about the steel’s thickness, but it doesn’t mean it’s true.
Unfortunately, sink shoppers aren’t in a position to analyze a sink’s composition or even measure its gauge or thickness. You can, however, stick to manufacturers that adhere to the Uniform Plumbing Code—pretty much any sink you know by name. And recognize that while a quality sink may cost a bit more, it’s not the name you’re paying for. It’s knowing that you’re getting exactly what you’ve signed up for.
In the meantime, industry leaders are doing everything to keep the codes upheld and the quality unblemished, and to provide products that affirm your decision every time you rinse a spoon.
