Hi, I do not post too often, but I have a Houzer sink and just love it. I have the one that looks like the Franke Orca, but costs a lot less.

Rae

I think it is good to state for the record immediately that there is no sink (made by H...) that looks like the Orca.

David

I have the Houzer 70/30, 18 guage brushed stainless, center drain sink. I went to a specialized sink store that carries all the brand names, including Franke and Blanco. He showed me the Houzer and said from a quality standpoint, the materials were exactly the same and the finished was applied the same. The differences I saw (besides the price), were that the more expensive sinks had a beveled edge that was a bit fancier. This meant nothing to me as I was going to have a negative reveal on my granite.

Also, the brushed stainless pattern was a bit finer in the higher end models. Given that I was to have a grating and had been living with the builders stainless steel sink for 20 years and had no problem with the finish or performance I couldn't justify the double, even triple price tag of the others.

I even said the the store owner, tell me something about the quality or use to persuade me to buy the more expensive brand, and he said he couldn't, other than the option of telling people I bought the Franke or Blanco brand.

I did not skimp on anything I wanted in my kitchen, so I am not about buying cheap. Had I wanted a silkgranite or other "decorator" sink, I would have purchased it. Knowing I was purchasing a stainless steel sink, I went with the Houzer. I've had it a year, use Bar Keepers Friend on it and it looks as good as the day I bought it.

We just had our Houzer sink installed last week. Looks great. Love the curves of the Orca-like design, but with smooth walls.

Not the sink you were looking at, but I would not be afraid of going with a Houzer - I wasn't.

Here is a link that might be useful: Houzer MH-3200

CORRECTION: I do have the rear drain. I went back on the website and saw that I have the Medallion Designer series, undermount sink #3210SR. I believe it cost around $350, as opposed to the $600 plus of the others.

Good Luck!

Rae,
I couldn't agree with you more!
Susan

dingosurf, I clicked on your link and I liked the sink! I have been a long time hater of stainless steel but then again, I lived with a very beat up builders model for many years. This one, I liked.

thanks guys
the house we bought has a double sink--7/5 in deep
I want a deep sink with the smaller bowl--have that in my cast iron 25 yr old sink now--and I lust after another one
but don't think the overmount will work...so looking for SS with that configuration...
just looking for a good sink--not a "priceless" name

this one is the elite series--I like the more rectangular larger bowl
20 ga
and supposed to be fairly quiet
how are yours--are they pretty quiet?
the kitchen in this house is very open to LA

Here is a link that might be useful: maybe my houzer