Among kitchen sinks, those made with stainless steel and porcelain are durable options. Stainless steel sinks last 15 to 30 years, while porcelain has a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. No matter which material you choose, proper care and maintenance will make your sink last longer.
STAINLESS STEEL
Get the most longevity from a stainless steel sink by installing one with a low gauge number. The lower the gauge, the thicker the steel and the longer it will last. Use only nonabrasive cleaners on stainless steel, and avoid cleansers containing chloride compounds. Never use steel wool or abrasive materials. The continuous dropping of silverware and dishes into the sink can scratch it, but a satin or brushed finish will camouflage these blemishes.
PORCELAIN
Porcelain sinks have a cast iron core with a baked-on porcelain finish. Because chipping and scratching of the finish shortens the sink's life, placing a stainless steel rack or soft mat in the sink's bottom can prevent chipping if a knife or dish falls into the sink. Never allow coffee grounds or other acidic materials to sit in the sink. Rinse and dry the sink after each use and clean the porcelain often, avoiding abrasive cleansers, rough sponges and steel wool. Consider having the sink refinished if the finish sustains numerous scratches and chips.
Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks Market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions’ development status.
Description:
The Global Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks industry.
Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks Market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions’ development status.
Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.
Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out.
What’s more, the Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.
Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.
In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.
Few Major Points from Table of Contents:
1 Industry Overview of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks by Regions, Types and Applications
7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
8.1 Franke
8.2 Kohler
8.3 Moen
8.4 Officine Gullo
8.5 ELLECI
8.6 Smeg
8.7 PYRAMIS
8.8 Barazza
8.9 Teka
8.10 Acrysil Ltd
8.11 ASTRACAST
8.12 Eisinger Swiss
8.13 Falcon (Rangemaster)
8.14 Foster
8.15 GLEM
8.16 Elkay Manufacturing
9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
10 Industry Chain Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
11 Development Trend of Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
13 Conclusion of the Global Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks Industry 2016 Market Research Report
We often get asked what type of Stainless Steel Sheet can be used as a kitchen back-splash. Stainless Steel 304 is the recommended grade. It should have a #4 brushed finish. The finish of this grade looks very similar to the type used for stainless kitchen appliances. This material can be cut to the size that you need, and can be adhered to the wall using construction adhesive.
This material comes with one-side brushed (#4 grit finish). It will have a peelable protective plastic layer that can be removed once the item has been installed. The reverse side is a plain matte finish, which can be used as the gluing surface.
You must consider the direction that you wish the brushed direction to go, before ordering your sizes. Make sure that you provide those details to one of our stores doing the cutting (or place in the comments section if ordering online). The brushed grain can either go along your length or across your width of the piece(s) that you need. A typical instruction to the store might be: “please cut with brushed grain along the 12 inch length”.
Stainless steel sheet comes in many thicknesses, from 0.125” (1/8”) thick to 0.030” (1/32”) thick. While each project may have a particular thickness in mind, the most commonly used thicknesses are 0.030” or 0.036” Thick. Please keep in mind that the thicker material will cost and weigh more.
INSTALLING STAINLESS STEEL BACK-SPLASH
Make sure that the wall is flat. Remove all build up and repair any large dents.
Test the placement of the sheet. Make a supporting cleat if the backsplash is not being supported by the counter top.
Lay the sheet with the finished (#4) side down on a flat surface.
Apply construction adhesive to the back side (using caulking gun), making sure that the lines of adhesive go back and forth across the entire sheet.
Make sure that you evenly spread the adhesive on the sheet, using a putty knife.
Place the stainless steel sheet against the wall with either the bottom resting against the cleat or the countertop. Once in place press the sheet against the wall.
Using a soft cloth, move from side to side of the sheet, pressing firmly to remove any air bubbles that could be behind the sheet.
Once the glue has dried and the project is complete, remove the protective layer.
The process for creating expanded metal was first developed and patented in the 1880’s in Hartlepool, UK. Despite technological advancements, the modern process for expanding metal remains similar to the original technique.
WHAT IS EXPANDED METAL?
Expanded metal is plate or sheet that has been cut and stretched into a mesh. Stretching the metal results in a mesh with diamond-shaped spaces – although many other patterns can be created. Many types of metal can be expanded, including: stainless steel, hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel, aluminum and more.
The pattern of the mesh can either be staggered (providing the most open area) or in a straight pattern with all rows and columns aligned. The proportion of open area determines the amount of space for the passage of air, water and light, and will vary according to the intended application of the expanded metal.
BENEFITS OF EXPANDED METAL
There are several benefits to using expanded metal:
Cost-effective: A small quantity of metal can be stretched into a large piece.
Efficient Process: There is very little waste when manufacturing and processing expanded metal mesh.
Good conductor: Because expanded metal is one piece, it can be excellent conductor of electricity, magnetic flux, and heat.
Protective reinforcement: Expanded metal meshes can be combined with glass, concrete, and other materials for added strength.
High strength: Expanded metals support weight and withstands stress better than woven metals or jointed welds.
Low weight: Expanded metals are lighter than traditional metal sheets.
Allows circulation: Expanded metal allows air and light to move freely.
Acoustic properties: Specially developed meshes can enhance acoustics and provide soundproofing.
HOW IS EXPANDED METAL MADE?
Expanded metal is produced by an expanding machine, which turns solid metal sheets and coils into an expanded metal mesh. The expanding machine is fitted with a knife which determines pattern for the mesh. As the metal is fed through the expanding machine, it is cut and stretched simultaneously using a pressured slitting and stretching process. The slits created by the knife allow the metal to be stretched, which produces uniform holes. To ensure a consistent pattern, the expanding machine is programmed or operated manually as the metal is fed through. The finished expanded metal is then wound into coils or cut into sheets.
Depending on the intended application, different thicknesses of metal can be used and different mesh patterns can be chosen. L.W.D (Long Way Diamond) and S.W.D. (Short Way Diamond) are commonly used to indicate the desired length and width of the diamond shaped mesh holes.
TYPES OF EXPANDED METAL
The most common types of expanded metal are:
Standard Expanded Metal
Standard expanded metal is extremely versatile and economical. It comes in a variety of gauge and opening sizes. It’s often used to provide a rigid, raised, slip-resistant surface. In standard expanded metal the strands and bonds are set at a uniform angle. This provides extra strength and rigidity whilst allowing maximum air circulation.
Flattened expanded metal
Flattened expanded metal is produced by cold rolling expanded metal to flatten it. It is chosen when a smooth surface is required. The flattening process generally elongates the length of the sheet by 5%.
Hexagonal expanded metal
Hexagonal expanded metal has hexagonal openings instead of the usual diamond ones. The hexagonal shape gives the metal extra strength while allowing the passage of air, light, heat, sound and liquid. Hexagonal openings are preferred over diamond openings when the metal is heavily expanded.
Architectural expanded metal
Architectural expanded metal features the diamond pattern with added architectural features. The result is a design which combines good aesthetics, increased security and privacy, and improved ventilation. It’s suitable for functional and decorative purposes, or a combination of the two.
Micro expanded metal
Micro expanded metal features small openings in light gauge metal. The openings can be standard, flattened, hexagonal and square. This type of expanded metal is often used in filters.
