What Type of Stainless Steel Countertop Should I Buy?

Categories: Blog

We asked Dewey Thomas of Anvil Metalworks, what is the kind of stainless steel countertops should Atlanta homeowners choose?

Three common grades of stainless steel exist in the foodservice industry listed Type: 304, 316 and 400. The best grade for homes, Type 304, has the necessary stain and corrosion resistance and is easily formed into shapes and welded.

Type 316 has higher stain resistance and is commonly seen in high acidity environments, but is much more expensive. Type 400 is less expensive but is prone to rust and corrosion. (Interesting side note: 400 grade is magnetic and 300s are not. This is why kitchen inspectors often carry magnets with them in restaurants, to confirm which type they are using.)

Bio: Dewey Thomas of Anvil Metalworks Inc. has designed and fabricated residential Stainless Steel countertops, sinks and cabinetry in Atlanta for the past 21 years. He has enjoyed his experiences engineering and supplying products for both European countertop companies in the US and American home improvement stores.