Looking for a new kitchen sink for your home can be easy and painless if you are well informed. There are several aspects of stainless steel kitchen sinks that many consumers are not very knowledgeable about, one of which is the gauge of the sink. The gauge of a stainless steel sink indicates the thickness of the metal used in its manufacture. It can be measured with a micrometer. The gauge of a sink will vary depending on the brand, type, and purpose of the sink. It can be very misleading for the uninformed consumer who finds an 18g sink and a 16g sink and assumes it is of better quality and thickness because the number is higher. In truth, the lower the number, the thicker the sink.

If you are installing a granite, marble, or other solid surface countertop, you will most likely have an undermount sink installed. Undermount sinks range in gauge from 16 to 20g. The average thickness of undermount stainless steel kitchen sinks is 18g. 18g is widely considered a good thickness to use in a kitchen sink. Over time it shouldn’t bend or dent with an 18g sink. Twenty gauge sinks are generally not used as they are generally considered very thin. Obviously the best option would be to go for a 16g sink. A 16g sink will be the most durable option and will most likely outlast your kitchen.

If you are installing laminate or another type of countertop, you most likely have an undermount sink installed. Top mount stainless steel sinks are generally available slimmer and are generally less expensive than undermount sinks. The average top mount sink is 20g, but anywhere from 18 to 22 can be found. The same rules apply to top mount sinks, the lower the number, the thicker the steel, and the more likely the better. it will be the quality of the sink.