Sinks: surprise, some of the least expensive sinks are also among the toughest.(Buyers Guide)

Publication: Consumer Reports

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COPYRIGHT 2002 Consumers Union of the United States, Inc.

You'd think that a thick, $350 stainless-steel sink would be quieter and less dent-prone than a thin $150 model, or that a $400 cast-iron enamel sink would chip less easily than a lighter, $200 enameled-steel version. But we found thickness and weight don't guarantee toughness. Our tests also showed that solid-surface sinks, which blend polyester or acrylic resins and natural fillers, are as easy to scratch as acrylics models--though solid surface offers easy repairs and styles that mimic granite and other materials. What's more, months of abuse revealed that who makes a sink isn't as critical as what it's made of.

PERFORMANCE

We tested 16 rimmed, 22x33-inch double-bowl sinks from American Standard, CorStone, Eljer, Elkay, Kohler, and Moen. Our tests focused on their ability to shed stains from...

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