Frequently Asked Questions - Sinks

What does it mean by a 3-hole or 4-hole sink?

The holes in a sink are used for the faucet, air gap, water dispenser, soap dispenser, water purifier, hot water dispenser, and/or separate pull-out hand spray.

What is the difference between the materials sinks are made out of (i.e. stainless steel, porcelain, corian, fireclay, steel with enamel, quartz, cast iron)?

Stainless steel comes in 18, 20 & 22 gauge steel. The lower the number, the heavier the sink. It is rust resistant and for an upscale house you want 18-guage.

 

Steel with enamel coating is used primarily for track homes. It is a low cost product.

 

Cast iron sinks have a enamel coating as well. The enamel used today doesn't have lead, which creates a softer coating. Cast iron sinks are still very strong but the softer enamel needs extra care.

 

Quartz, silicon and astrite are all a synthetic material - a combination of stone quartz with acrylic resin. They are very durable but come in limited colors and must be cleaned carefully to avoid staining.

 

China sinks are used exclusively in bathrooms. They come in multiple colors. The advantage of china over cast iron is its ability to be molded into various shapes and you can use abrasive cleaners on it.

 

Fireclay sinks are used in the kitchen and for bar sinks. They have a finish that is baked into the material, which is highly stain resistant. Their down side is the limit of colors - white and biscuit.