At one time, stainless steel counter tops were nearly strictly in the domain of commercial kitchens, where health and safety codes mandated them in favor of other hard surfaces. The beauty, durability and sanitary properties of stainless steel counters gradually led to their appearance in home kitchens, where they have become increasingly popular year after year.

We designed our Buyers' Guide to Stainless Steel Counter Tops to guide you through the process of selecting your new counter tops for your home or commercial space. The guide features answers to the common questions we receive from customers like you during the shopping process. Read over the guide from start to finish and then bookmark it to return to when you need a refresher in all things stainless steel counters.

What do I need to remember when shopping for stainless steel counters?

The most important thing to remember when selecting stainless steel counters is to keep the number of pieces of counter tops that you need to purchase to a minimum. By using the smallest number of counter top sections possible, you will decrease the number of seams found along your counter tops, giving you a more unified look and a surface that is easier to clean.

How do I know what size of stainless steel counter tops to buy?

The best way to determine what sizes of counter top panels you need is to start off by creating a diagram of your kitchen cabinets. The sketch can be rough and does not need to be drawn to scale, provided that you mark where any appliances or sinks are in the room and it is easily interpretable by you and your contractor (if you plan to hire one to install your counters).

After you have drawn your diagram, take a measuring tape and determine the length and width of each counter section and record the measurements on the drawing. When you have finished your measurements, make a list of the overall sizes of the pieces that you need, putting tally marks next to pieces that you will need multiples of. Then, this list can serve as your shopping list.

Most stainless steel manufacturers produce counter tops in three standard widths: 25 inches, 32 inches and 38 inches. The width will likely be the same throughout your kitchen. Lengths come in a larger variety of choices to accommodate the various configurations of counter tops found in home and commercial kitchens. Most manufacturers do not cut stainless steel counters short than 24 inches in length, and most do not offer pieces that are longer than 10 feet or 120 inches. When determining what sizes of counter tops to buy, if you find that the length of your counters falls between two choices, you should buy the larger size to keep the number of seams to a minimum.

What does the gauge number mean?

The gauge number of stainless steel refers to its thickness. In the steel manufacturing industry, a standard set of measurements has been developed in which all types of stainless steel are created. Each of these standard measurements is assigned a gauge number that corresponds to its specific thickness.

Gauge numbers are sometimes confusing to buyers because, unlike most measurement systems, gauges are ranked in descending rather than ascending order. In other words, the lower the gauge, the thicker the stainless steel counter top piece is. Because thicker steel is more durable, most people opt for the lowest gauge number available. We recommend 16 gauge steel, which is 0.0598 inches thick and resilient enough to stand up to even the heavy use common in commercial kitchens. You'll also find counter tops in 18 gauge, which is 0.0478" thick.

What does the type number mean?

Stainless steel is not one metal, but rather, a blend of several types of metal. All steel contains iron and carbon with the addition of other types of metals, which are called alloys in the industry. Steel manufacturers use specific combinations of metals to produce stainless steel, and a system was developed to help buyers compare the prices of the various combinations. This system is the type system, which involves assigning numbers to stainless steel based on the amount of these alloys used.

Austenitic stainless steel, which contains a large percentage of chromium and small amounts of nickel or manganese, is the most common class of stainless steel used for counter tops. Steel that falls within this category is food safe and resistant to the temperature ranges common in kitchens. Type 300, Type 301, Type 302, Type 303 and Type 304 stainless steel all fall into the austenitic category and can be used for counters.

What does the finish number mean?

After stainless steel is made, manufacturers polish, brush and buff it to give it an attractive appearance. The amount of light that the stainless steel reflects and its overall look is described as its finish. Just like type and gauge, the finish of steel is based upon an industry-wide standard. To produce each finish, manufacturers use similar techniques.

With the finish system, the higher the number the more reflective the stainless steel is. The lower numbers 3 and 4 are often referred to as brushed steel, while the number 8 finish is known as a mirror finish. When choosing stainless steel counters, we recommend selecting pieces with a low finish number. This is because mirror finishes show a large amount of fingerprints and require frequent buffing and polishing to keep them looking clean. The lower the finish number, the less apparent fingerprints will be.

What does underlayment mean?

Although stainless steel is durable, having a piece of solid steel on your counter would be impractical. The stainless steel requires a material to help absorb shock and provide basic support. This material is known as the underlayment. The underlayment is positioned underneath the stainless steel exterior and should not be visible when the counter top is installed. When shopping for counter tops, it is vital that you select pieces where the stainless steel has been rolled all the way over the sides of the underlayment for the most polished, finished appearance available.

What is MDF?

MDF or medium density fiberboard is a type of manufactured wood product that is produced from hardwood residues. As a building material, MDF has a large amount of strength and resiliency, making it our recommendation for the underlayment on stainless steel counter tops.

What does backing mean?

The backing of a stainless steel counter top is the lower layer of materials located beneath the underlayment. During installation, the backing is the portion of the stainless steel that is adhered to the cabinetry beneath. Stainless steel counter tops can come with a variety of backings, which determine how easy or difficult it is to install them on your counters. We recommend selecting counter tops that have a backing similar to the materials used to make cabinetry, which simplifies drilling. Melanime, which feels similar to laminate, is an excellent choice for easy installation of your new stainless steel counters.

What is a marine edge?

One of the benefits of purchasing stainless steel counters is that custom types are available to enhance the safety and utility of your kitchen. One of these specialty styles is the marine edge counter top, which has a raised border around the perimeter of each section of counter top and a lower flattened area at the centers. When liquids drip or are spilled on the stainless steel counter top, the mess can only travel as far as the border and then is stopped before it reaches the floor, although very large spills can still splash over the border.

Choosing marine edge cabinetry reduces your cleanup time after food preparation. It also helps prevent accidental slips and falls. In addition to "marine edge," this style of counter tops is sometimes known as the "flat top" or the 'no drip" style. You can use marine edge counter tops in any standard shaped counter top area. Some people use them throughout their kitchen, while others prefer to have just one marine edge counter section, usually in an area near the sink where wet and dirty dishes are often stacked.

What is a backsplash?

A backsplash is a vertical stainless steel surface that extends above the counter top and looks something like a lip. The backsplash is built into the counter top and fits against the wall once the pieces are installed. As you prepare food on the counter top, splashes hit the stainless steel piece and not the wall area, making clean up easier. Backsplashes also help maintain sanitary conditions within kitchens and are requirements under many health and safety codes for restaurants and other food service businesses.

Manufacturers of stainless steel counter tops produce backsplashes in specific sizes, ordinarily in whole number increments between 4 and 10 inches. If you are shopping for counter tops for a commercial kitchen, consult the local guidelines to find out if a backsplash is required for your space and if so, what the minimum height necessary is to be compliant with the law.