| Have you recently purchased a granite counter | | | | like this). You also need to find a sink that has a |
| top for your new home or have you updated and | | | | very good undercoating and is padded. The |
| remodeled? If you have you were probably | | | | undercoating is used for condensation control as |
| shocked at the prices when you were sent to a | | | | well as noise reduction. The rubber pad is a must |
| plumbing supply center or a kitchen and bath | | | | to truly make your sink noise free |
| dealer to pick out your stainless steel sink and | | | | Certification is critical especially with stainless steel |
| faucets. The number one rule in selecting a sink is | | | | sinks; you need to make sure that the steel used |
| stay away from the hype, and do not over pay | | | | in the construction of the sink a 304 surgical |
| for a name brand sink that your neighbors will not | | | | grade stainless steel. The sink must also be |
| recognize. Focus on quality and utility, your kitchen | | | | constructed to meet the criteria required by |
| is a work center and your sink should | | | | AMSE A112.19.3-2000 Stainless steel plumbing |
| complement your families lifestyle. Do you cook a | | | | fixtures. This certification is most important |
| lot, and wash large pans if so you may want to | | | | because there has been a push by local and |
| consider a large single bowl 30 X 18 this sink is | | | | county building inspectors to see a certification by |
| the current trend. Once you select the | | | | UPC or a certification by an approved IAPMO |
| appropriate style sink for your family you need to | | | | testing facility before they will sign off on a final |
| consider the quality of the sink. | | | | plumbing inspection. There are a few companies |
| Quality features of an undermount sink are that it | | | | that produce a great quality sink and that are |
| must be 18 gauge. There is a lot of hype about | | | | certified. There is no reason to pay 600-900 |
| 16 gauge sinks right now. The industry standard is | | | | dollars for a stainless steel sink you can find many |
| 18 and it is more than adequate. The difference | | | | quality sinks on the market today finding a good |
| between 16 and 18 is minimal, most companies | | | | quality one that has also taken the time to have |
| advertising a 16 gauge sink are using a three | | | | their product certified is a bit tricky but there are |
| piece construction (not desirable) and only the | | | | some out there and you should be able to |
| deck plate is 16. In these cases you will find the | | | | purchase a product for under $200.00 and receive |
| manufacturer cut production costs by having the | | | | a comparable product to any Elkay or Blanco. |
| bowls made in 20 gauge (stay away from a sink | | | | |