Kitchen sink guide

Kitchen Sinks

Durable and timeless, stainless steel sinks are popular for their clean, modern look as well as their resilience. From contemporary to classic, stainless steel works well with any type of décor and complements almost any countertop or work surface. It’s also the ideal choice for coordinating with professional style appliances. Stainless steel not only looks
sleek and professional, but it wears well too. It’s hygienic and easy to maintain. More durable than porcelain or cast iron, stainless steel is highly resistant to heat, stains, and rust. Because stainless steel is a forgiving material, it’s easy on dropped dishes and glassware. Consider these characteristics when shopping for a stainless steel sink:

MATERIAL 304 series stainless steel, known for its durability and stain resistance, is the best possible formulation for kitchen sinks. The chrome and nickel content in stainless steel is an indicator of quality. Chrome gives stainless its luster and durability, while nickel adds hardness and strength. Premium stainless steel sinks will minimally feature 18/10 chrome/nickel content.

THICKNESS The gauge of stainless steel measures thickness. The lower the gauge, the thicker and more durable the stainless steel. 18 gauge is optimal for residential kitchen sinks.

FINISH A long-lasting satin polished finish is easy to clean and impervious to water stains and calcium deposits.

DESIGN DETAIL Tight radius corners create more spacious bowls than sinks with rounded corners. A flat sink bottom allows goblets and stemware to stand up, and rear drains maximize usable space under the sink.

SOUND INSULATION Quality stainless steel sinks feature insulation that muffles sound, including garbage disposer noise. Stainless steel sinks are easy to care for. Water spots and mineral deposits can be prevented by rinsing thoroughly after each use and wiping dry with a clean, soft cloth. Non-abrasive cleaners such as BlancoClean are ideal for regular maintenance. Stainless steel sinks will show day-to-day wear, including minor scratches. Over time this wear will become uniform with the sink’s grain, creating its own
unique character, much like the patina on fine silver. Be sure to ask about warranties when shopping for your sink. Premium quality stainless steel sinks are often backed by a
limited lifetime warranty.

M AT E R I A L
GRANITE
Hard composite kitchen sinks have been available since the early 1980’s, using some of the toughest materials available from Mother Nature. More than just a coated surface, these sinks are solid material throughout, ensuring consistent color and durability year after year. The best hard compositGRANITE e sinks typically contain 80% natural granite and feature the touch and feel of natural stone. Unlike cast iron and soft composite materials, granite sinks combine the best performing ingredients to produce kitchen sinks that are durable, stain resistant, easy to clean, and available in a collection of dynamic designs and colors. Think about these features when looking for a granite sink:

STAIN RESISTANCE The non-porous design resists most household stains, including coffee, tea, mustard, beet juice, red wine and hair dyes.

HEAT RESISTANCE Unaffected by extreme changes between hot and cold, and heat resistant to 536° F.

DURABILITY Hard, resilient surface is highly resistant to chipping and scratching.

VERSATILITY Moldable into an unusual variety of striking designs and functional features including unique angles, large capacity and extra deep bowls.

ACID/ALKALIS SAFE Acids and alkalis typically used in the home won’t harm granite materials.

COLOR THROUGHOUT Pigments provide color throughout the sink, not just on the surface.

HYGIENIC Will not absorb odors or bacteria.

EASY INSTALLATION Most designs are ideal for drop-in or undermount installation. Maintaining your granite sink is easy. Daily cleaning may be done with any non-abrasive cleaner and a scrub pad such as Scotch Brite. Just rinse and wipe the sink with a soft cloth after each use to eliminate water spots or soap film build-up. Normal stains can be
easily removed with a soft scouring pad and a non-abrasive cleaner such as BlancoClean. More stubborn stains will come off with a bleach/water solution, baking soda or  vinegar.

Don’t forget to ask about warranties when shopping for your sink. Most premium quality granite sinks are often backed by a limited lifetime warranty