Stainless steel sinks are a wonderful addition to modern homes. The sturdy exterior of these sinks makes them high-value commodities in most households.
Stainless steel sinks come in different shapes, sizes, and different levels of quality. That’s why it can be challenging to be sure whether the sink you’re buying is right for your home.
Most people don’t know what to look for when buying a stainless steel sink. If you’re unaware of the things you need to look for, you could end up making costly mistakes.
Are you looking to invest in a stainless steel sink for your home? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a guide on the top ten mistakes you could make when buying stainless steel sinks.
These mistakes cover a wide range of topics. From the grade of steel to the manufacturing process, you’ll find a lot here.
Let’s get right into it!
1. Neglect the material of the stainless steel
Thickness
Measure the edge thickness of the stainless steel sink. Good stainless steel sinks use thicker plates. This is because once the sink has been edge treated, it isn’t easy to see the thickness at once.
The simplest way to do so is to press the sink surface with a bit of force. If you can press down, it means that the material is fragile. If you can borrow vernier calipers and spiral micrometers, it won’t be hard to find the thickness.
The grade of the stainless steel
Stainless steel sink weight:
Stainless steel is a ferroalloy. The specific gravity of steel is 7.87. Once nickel and chromium are added, the sink becomes heavier than before. Of course, we should also refer to the thickness of the plate in this discussion.
If it is fake and inferior quality steel, you’ll find it relatively lightweight.
2. Neglect the manufacturing process
There are two main methods used for manufacturing a sink. There’s the welding method and the integrated forming method.
Some famous brand sinks have the same appearance and size, but their prices vary greatly.
Two main criteria decide the price of the sink. It depends on the quality of the sink and the technology in the manufacturing process.
Generally, sinks built using the integrated forming method are better than the alternative. First-class sinks are typically produced by a one-time stamping method.
Of course, there are also low-end products in the famous brand, and there are many welding methods. Just touch it with your hand, and you’ll notice the difference.
The standard of selecting stainless steel sink:
Tight welding is a determinant towards an excellent double bowl sink.
Welding quality is the most critical factor that affects the life of the sink. Suitable welding is rust-resistant and de-welding.
3. Neglect the bowl depth of the kitchen sink
The most suitable depth is generally around 20 cm. That’s because tableware washing is more convenient that way. Also, it prevents splashing. Also, the basin wall is 90 degrees. A vertical angle can increase the use area of the sink.
9-inch and 10-inch bowl depths are the most popular depths for the American market
4. Neglect some details of the design
The position of the drain hole:
If the drain hole is in the sink’s central position, it will reduce the cabinet’s space. When the water pipe is installed against the wall, it allows the water to flow quickly. This means you’ll be able to make effective use of the space. So the position of the drain hole at the back is better than in the central.
The design of the sink edge:
The sink’s edge should be light and thin so that the sink has the maximum washing space available. This is also important that the water splashed out of the sink can be easily wiped back into the sink.
5. Neglect the quality of the drain and strainers
The design and material of the drain and strainers directly affect the usability of the sink. A good water outlet has steel ball positioning and extrusion sealing. It will have strong sealing and convenient and rapid village waterproofing. Finally, it will avoid blocking the drain pipe.
A good drain pipe is one with an odor-proof design and no aftertaste. An s-shape design helps prevent waste blockage and water leakage.
Good quality accessories help to extend the lifespan of a kitchen sink.
6. Neglect the coating and insulation of a sink
If there’s a protective coating at the bottom of the sink or not:
The protective coating at the bottom of the sink is anti-noise and anti-condensation.
It is fairly common to use a rubber gasket to stick to the bottom. This can also have a noise-reducing effect on the sink.
7. Neglect the market demand of the sink style
What are the common sizes of kitchen sinks? How to choose the size of the sink?
There are two main kinds of sinks on the market: single bowl sinks and double bowl sinks. These types are classified based on common kitchen sizes.
Generally speaking, the single bowl sink is more suitable for smaller kitchens. You can use it for basic cleaning purposes, but not much more than that.
The double bowl is also widely used. It can meet cleaning and conditioning needs separately. It has also become most people’s first choice because it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Simultaneously, you’ll find triple bowl sinks or sub-mother bowls. These are fairly popular because of their design. The design is very suitable for large kitchens with a lot of space. Also, they have several functions, such as soaking, washing, and storage. It can also separate raw and cooked food, saving time and effort.
The most common sizes are 17-inch bar sinks, 30-inch, and 33-inch single-bowl or double-bowl sinks. People don’t like sinks with drainboards in the American market. The farmhouse sink is also a popular choice.
In Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Asain, many best-selling models come with drainboards.
There are some styles with a single bowl and a drainboard or a small double bowl (1:1/2). It’s probably a unique European style. The middle eastern market follows the European market in terms of style.
8. Picking the wrong place to buy your sinks
Most trust-worthy suppliers are from big brands. To pursue high profits, many buyers choose to buy from China. China is the world’s leading production hub because it has tons of cheap labor and fantastic technology.
To top it all off, China has an imposing supply chain.
It’s a smart choice to buy in China, but the quality of suppliers varies. The best sink manufacturers in China are located in the Guangdong Province. For instance, you can find them in Jiangmen and Foshan City.
9. Ignoring the process of quality inspection
Remember, not all suppliers are honest in their business dealings.
If you buy a sink in China, we recommend that you find a third-party to inspect the manufacturing factory. It would be best if you got an inspection agency to check all the products before each shipment.
10. Neglect the after-sales service
B2B businesses do not provide door-door installation services. However, good suppliers will do their best to meet your requirements.
For example, let’s consider customer complaints. A good supplier will solve quality problems or any issues with their products.
Conclusion
All in all, stainless steel sinks are worth it. We do recommend that you take your time and sift through this guide carefully.
This guide was intended to help you find the right sink for you. We’ve mentioned the above details you may neglect if you want to invest in these sinks.
You can learn about the things you need to look for when buying these sinks with a bit of attention. We hope you find the right sink for your home. Happy buying!
