Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel has found a home in homes everywhere. While it’s a welcome addition to any bathroom or other home fixture, its best application is often in the kitchen.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks have long been popular because they resist germs and bacteria. Their sleek, modern appearance also meshes well with almost any style, making them easy to pair with new and current builds.

What considerations does a consumer need to make before proceeding with their purchase? Here are some things you should know before investing in stainless steel kitchen sinks.

Stainless Steel Finishes

The finish of your kitchen sink will often determine whether it works with your vision for your kitchen. But finishes have many aspects to be aware of. Let’s review some stainless steel finishes you may come across in your search for the perfect stainless steel kitchen sink.

Baseline Stainless Steel

The stainless steel finish option featured on our site is for the purists who love the clean, contemporary look of stainless steel.

Stainless steel sinks are technically alloy metals made with chromium. A stainless steel finish gives it this beautiful metallic look while also helping protect it from corrosion.

Black

A black finish takes stainless steel to a new level of sleekness and sophistication.

These sinks are perfect for homeowners seeking a thoroughly modern aesthetic, as well as those who are partial to visually striking fixtures. If your next home improvement project is to update your kitchen to reflect the times, a minimalistic black finish could be an excellent choice.

Gunmetal

Gunmetal stainless steel has PVD covering it. PVD, or physical vapor deposition, is a process where the metals used to make the sink evaporate and settle on the steel. The result is a unique color that’s usually dark gray.

The overall look of a gunmetal finish resembles the black finish. As such, it goes well in contemporary kitchens.

Brushed Brass

A brushed brass finish is without a doubt the most unique of the options listed here.

These stainless steel sinks have a warm, brassy tone that can appear almost gold-like in certain conditions. They’re perfect for kitchens designed to signal luxury.

As a bonus, a brushed brass finish is highly durable and doesn’t attract fingerprints like other finishes, meaning its elegance isn’t difficult to maintain.

About the Gauge

If you’re shopping for stainless steel kitchen sinks, you might have seen references to the “gauge” of various products. The gauge is simply a measurement of the steel’s thickness — the higher the number, the thinner the steel.

Thin Gauge

Thin stainless steel can work well for smaller sinks. Generally, however, the thicker the material, the better, as smaller gauges can be susceptible to dents and dings.

Most homeowners will get more value from finding an appropriate balance between thickness and price.

The least expensive kitchen sinks are often around 22 gauge. While budget-friendly, this isn’t an ideal thickness for most homes, particularly if you have a garbage disposal.

Thick Gauge

The recommended gauge for a new sink is between 16 and 18. Sinks that reflect these measurements will be strong and long-lasting.

Be aware, however, that the price will start to creep up the closer you get to 16 gauge. Anything lower than that is usually reserved for heavy-duty commercial use.

Soundproofing and Undercoating

While it might sound strange, soundproofing is common when buying stainless steel. This is done by applying thick undercoatings to help reduce noise levels during use. There are several ways to accomplish this; fortunately, they’re all relatively DIY-friendly.

The easiest method is to use a self-adhesive sound-deadening mat — simply peel off the back and press it to the underside of your sink. The complexity of this project can vary depending on whether you have a drop-in, under-mounted, or vessel sink.

While somewhat less accessible, mass-loaded vinyl is the most efficient material for soundproofing stainless steel kitchen sinks. It’s dense and thick yet incredibly flexible and easy to work with. This approach can be more expensive than other options, but it could be worth it if you’re concerned about excessive sink noise.

Finally, a rubberized undercoating spray can be a solid economical option. These sprays are inexpensive, but don’t let the price fool you — they can still do an excellent job of soundproofing if you purchase quality undercoating.

The flip side is that you may sacrifice some efficiency using the spray method depending on your sink’s gauge, so keep that in mind before you pick up a can.

Complete Your Kitchen Renovation Project with Seconds & Surplus

You can’t go wrong with the stellar selection of stainless steel kitchen sinks at Seconds & Surplus. Make any of our industry-leading products a part of your upcoming remodel or build. See what we have in stock today!