If you are looking out for a new sink, it might become difficult for you to choose one, given the different types of sinks available.
Currently, two such sinks available in the market are 16 Gauge and 18 Gauge. They are designed in such a way that they will work efficiently in your bathroom but also add a bit of panache to your washroom as well.
There are some differences between16 gauge vs. 18 gauge sinks, and we will be comparing these two types of sinks and hopefully help you come to a decision about which one you ought to buy.
A Quick Comparison Table
Before we get into the details, let us have a quick look at the key points at which the 16” gauge is different from the 18” gauge. Someone willing to buy a bathroom sink might want to consider these key areas.Criterion 16 Gauge 18 Gauge Thickness 0.0625” 0.05” Density 1.5875 1.27 % Change in thickness – 20% Sound Emission Lower than 18 Gauge Higher than 16 Gauge Price Higher than 18 Gauge Lower than 16 Gauge Strength Higher Durability Lower Durability
Differences Between 16 Vs. 18 Gauge Stainless Steel Sink
Now that we have seen a quick comparison of both, let us break them down:
- Thickness
The first difference we will talk about is the difference in thickness. Thickness measures the number of materials that were used to build these sinks.
As mentioned earlier, when it comes to thickness, the lower the gauge, the thicker the sink. Even though both these gauges are highly recommended for your washroom, the lower gauge is better for rough use.
There is no noticeable change between the two due to such a minor difference, though.
- Density
The next point of difference is density. The density is measured in millimeters. For the 16” gauge, the density is 1.5875 millimeters, whilst the density of the 18” gauge is 1.27 millimeters.
The lower the gauge, the higher is the density. That is why the 16” gauge has greater density despite having the lower gauge.
- Percentage Change in Thickness
The change in thickness can be defined as the difference in volume between the two gauges. There is no noticeable difference between the two gauges, as we have mentioned before.
Twenty percent is quite insignificant in this regard. This difference in thickness exists due to more materials being used to build the 16” gauge.
As the thickness is not that different, it means that the amount of materials used to build the 16” gauge is not as high compared to the number of materials used to build the 18”.
- Sound Emission
The next point of comparison is the amount of sound emitted by each gauge when you will be working or using them.
When it comes to sound emission, the amount emitted from the 16” is lower than that emitted from the 18”.
Heavier gauges tend to have better noise reduction mechanisms built in them. Besides that, heavier sinks have better damping traits due to their mass.
Manufacturers sometimes put in soundproofing and insulation on the underside of the sink.
That being, the sound reduction abilities of the 18” is pretty good as well. Just in comparison to the 16”, it is lower.
The sound reduction capabilities of other higher number sinks are much lower than these two.
- Price
The next point of contention is the pricing. 16” gauges cost more than 18”. This is because they offer greater durability and resistance to various types of erosion.
But the difference in the price is not that significant, and you only have to pay a fraction more for 16” than you would have to pay for 18”.
Since the difference in price is not that high, opting for the 16” seems like a better decision as it offers better durability. We will talk about durability in the next section.
- Durability
The last criterion of difference is the durability of these sinks. When in the bathroom, the sinks will be put through a lot of rough use. Because of this, it is very important to purchase a product that is durable.
When it comes to durability, the 16” gauge provides greater durability than 18”. It is more resistant to dents, scratches, and other damages that make it harder to be damaged.
The 16” gauge sink requires more material to be built than the 18”; thus, it has greater durability.
That being said, the 18” gauge sink also has very durability compared to other products in the market, and we also recommend trying it out.
What Is A Gauge?
Before buying a stainless steel sink, you need to consider about the gauge. It represents the thickness of the sink. In other words, the gauge determines how thick or thin your sink will be.
The lower the number of the gauge, the thicker it will be. For example, a 20 gauge is thicker than a 22 gauge sink.
In current times, it is recommended not to get a gauge that has a higher number.
What Is A Stainless Steel Sink?
Stainless Steel is an alloy made up of iron and other elements. Usually, these other elements include silicon, nickel, and chromium.
They are melted together and fused with the iron ore to create an alloy. To make the alloy more rigid, carbon is removed from the compound during the process of formation.
Stainless steel compounds are amongst the most durable ones present in the market. They can last for years and also come in different shapes and sizes according to your pleasure.
Moreover, the price of stainless steel materials is also within the limits of most people. Thus, they are very trendy.
One of the best traits of stainless steel sinks or any other product is that they are nonporous. This is due to their formation process. As they are nonporous, they are much easier to clean than non-stainless steel objects.
Stainless steel sinks are very popular when it comes to bathroom sinks. They have a very attractive and clean outlook.
They are highly resistant to corrosion and bacteria. Besides that, these sinks are very durable. They are usually very easy to clean, dust and rust-resistant.
What Should You Look For When Buying A Bathroom Sink?
You have to consider a few things before making your purchase decision. The first thing you have to remember is that the lower the gauge, the thicker the sink.
People tend to think that a higher gauge represents more thickness, but it is actually on the contrary.
If you have budget constraints, then you can purchase higher-numbered gauges. But those gauges are made with 50-60% less material.
As a result, they are not as durable and efficient as gauges with lower numbers. That is why if you do not have budget constraints, you should go for 16” or 18” gauges.
Thinner sinks are available in small stores.
Now, you might be asking why a lower gauge is better? Here is why:
- They provide you with an improved noise dampening mechanism. Thus the sound emitted when you keep or drop anything on them won’t be that high in comparison to that of higher number gauges.
- They have greater durability and offer much higher resistance to erosion and dents. Thus, using them every day won’t lead to deterioration of quality.
Does Thicker Mean Better?
The answer to this question is very subjective. It depends entirely on you.
On paper,the thicker the gauge, the better is the sink. The inherent better qualities of thicker sinks include structural rigidity and noise damping capabilities.
But there are other factors one might want to consider before purchasing the sink, such as consistency and straightness. If you put these factors into consideration, your priorities might change.
Also Read: Pros And Cons of Vitreous China Sink.
Which Sink Should You Buy?
We have talked about both sinks in detail. Now comes the moment of truth: which one should you buy – 16” gauge or 18” gauge? Well, in terms of appearance, they are both quite similar.
As we have mentioned before, the percentage change in thickness is not that noticeable. However, if you do not have any constraints on your budget, we suggest you buy the 16 gauge. Even though they are very identical, the 16” is better than the 18”.
Albeit the 16” gauge will cost you a bit more financially, we believe it is still the best choice. The difference in price range is not that significant, and the 16” gauge does offer greater durability.
Final Words
At the end of the day, which sink you will buy is entirely up to you. We recommend doing the proper market research before buying. Otherwise, you might end up regretting your purchase decision.
Assess your budget first, and then narrow the number of products that fall within your budget.
We suggest you hire a plumber during installation. These tasks are very difficult to complete without the help of a professional.
We hope our thorough16 gauge vs. 18 gauge comparison will help you come to a conclusion.
Have a good purchase!