Elkay Stainless Steel Undermount Sinks

Q. "Please explain the best gauge of stainless, which is longer lasting, i.e. luster, mirror finish, etc?"
A. The lower the number, the thicker the material. In our opinion, 22 gauge is bare minimum - builder quality. During the manufacturing process, stainless steel sinks are "stamped" into shape. That means that the material stretches and therefore the corners can be very thin. We suggest at least 20 gauge and preferably 18 gauge. Stainless can scratch and with a mirror finish those scratches will show. We recommend that you do not purchase any brand mirror finished stainless sink (no matter what the price or claimed quality).

Q. "Do you stock every sink from Elkay that is listed?"
A. We list most Elkay sinks. No one could stock them all. Many are in stock but some will take some time to get to you. When you place an order for your Elkay sink/s we will let you know within 24 hours (Mon-Fri) whether that sink is in stock and, if it isn't, how long it will be before we ship it. If time is a major factor in your decision, then please place your order with written comments that state the longest that you can wait. We will then let you know (within 24 hours Mon-Fri) if we cannot meet your deadline. Some unusual sizes can take up to 4-5 weeks for Elkay to actually make the sink.

Q. "What is the difference between an 'undercounter' kitchen sink and a 'self-rimming' sink?"
A. An "undercounter" sink is just that - it mounts from the bottom of the counter. A self-rimming sink has overall dimensions larger than the opening in the counter and sits on top of the countertop. It requires no additional rim around the outside of the sink, and generally will give you a lot less problems down the road. Why? Because it cannot fall down, and gravity, over time, will not open the seal between the counter and the sink with a self-rimming sink. Undercounter mounts can be used with solid surface, granite or marble counter tops. If you're using Formica type counters use the self-rimming. For tile we like to recommend self-rimming. Undercounter sinks, over time, can have problems where the sink and counter meet.

Q. "What is meant by the 'reveal'?"
A. The "reveal" is the portion of the outer lip that shows between the bowl of the sink and the countertop ledge. Some undermount sinks have enough of a lip to have a "reveal", some do not. Some are noted as "with reveal" and some are not, but if not noted, it does not mean that they cannot be installed "with reveal".

Q. "What do the different types of stainless steel (304, 316, etc) mean?"
A. The term "stainless steel" refers to specific grades of steel that contain more than 10% chromium. Stainless steel may also include a variety of other elements (such as nickel, titanium, molybdenum, etc); it resists corrosion and is generally a stronger, more reliable steel. The most common grades of stainless steel are:

Type 304: Aside from having a higher content of chromium than most other types of stainless steel, type 304 also contains nickel; this enables it to withstand most ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in typical food processing environments, and resists most chemicals.

Type 316: Similar to type 304, but also contains a small amount of molybdenum, which is an alloy element #304 does not contain (but one that provides even stronger resistance to some deterioration). Types 304 and 316 are grades of stainless steel that are most often used in plumbing, as well as in the manufacturing of kitchen utensils and sinks.

Type 409: Does not contain virtually any nickel at all, but also is the stainless steel that contains the least amount of chromium. Type 409 is more suitable for high temperature applications, which is why it's often used in automotive trim and exhaust systems, or hot water tanks.

Type 410: Also does not contain any significant nickel; its primary difference to type 409 stainless is characterized by the use of heat treatment for hardening and strengthening. Type 410 is not appropriate for severely corrosive applications, but used instead in environments that require high strength; this is why it's the type of stainless steel that's often used in surgical equipment.

Type 430: Another plain-chromium stainless steel, similar to type 409, but is usually used in decorative applications.