Stainless Steel
Sinks Shine
By Abbe Black
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| Photos
courtesy of Elkay Manufacturing |
One of the
hottest trends in kitchen design right now is stainless steel. Whether
turning your kitchen into a replica of the hottest restaurant in town’s
kitchen prep area, or combining it with elegant warm woods to really
make it glow, stainless steel is hot. Stainless steel is versatile,
light, easy to clean, water and heat resistant, super strong, and
hygienic.
Before it was
a hot new design element, stainless steel endured as a durable and
affordable option for kitchen sinks. Elkay has been producing quality
stainless steel sinks for over 80 years. Consistently innovative and
ahead of current trends Elkay Signature Stainless Steel Sinks offer
more variety and options than any other line. Professionals at A-Boy
Supply can help you wade through the choices and discover which sink
is right for your needs.
There are different
grades of stainless steel and some are less durable than others. Elkay
uses premium grade type 304 stainless steel for all its residential
sinks. Quality stainless steel has a deep down satin smooth finish,
rather than just a high surface gloss. The thickness of the steel
is also important in your choice of a stainless steel sink. Steel
from 18 to 20 gauge offers ample protection against dents, noise,
and bowing. It is also important to choose a stainless steel sink
with a good undercoating to absorb sound, prevent condensation, and
to help maintain water temperature. All Elkay sinks are spray-coated
with an exclusive non-toxic, latex-based undercoating.
Why choose a stainless
steel sink over a cast iron, granite, or porcelain sink? All are excellent
choices, but they don’t all offer the versatility and ease of
maintenance that stainless steel does. Also, when properly maintained,
stainless steel grows more lustrous with age. Some folks have commented
that it practically glows as it ages. Other sinks will show wear and
age more quickly. Stainless steel also resists staining and given
time will repair itself due to the chromium rich oxide film that forms
naturally on the surface of the steel. Another big selling point of
stainless steel is how relatively inexpensive it is. When the total
life cycle costs are considered, stainless is often the least expensive
material option. What other material combines extreme durability and
strength and still looks beautiful and elegant in any décor? |
