Searching 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 well informed 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 to 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, chances are you have an undermount sink installed. Undermount sinks range in gauge from 16g to 20g. The average thickness of stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks is 18g. 18g is widely considered a good thickness to use for 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 to be 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, chances are you have a top mount 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 you can find anywhere from 18 to 22. 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.