Pros and Cons of Granite Composite Sinks [Crucial Guide]

This is the complete encyclopedia for the DIY lads as well as professionals. However, if you are only interested in the pros and cons of granite composite sinks, consider only that.

But if you want more, you will get more.

Because, other than the goods and bads of the granite composite sinks, we are also including worthwhile products, famous brands, general pricing points, and many comparisons that will help you to have a piece of in-depth knowledge on granite composite sinks and its competitions.

So read along and learn what you need.

Some of The Best Granite Composite Sinks

Investigating granite composite for getting one for yourself…?

We have done our research and found the granite composite sinks below to be the best in the market. After proper research, the probability of you finding the same set of granite sinks are very high.

And if you are feeling too lazy just pick one from the list below-

• Ruvati epiGranite Dual-Mount Granite Composite Single Bowl Kitchen Sink
• Ruvati Undermount Granite Composite Single Bowl Kitchen Sink
• Kraus Forteza Granite Kitchen Sink, 33 Inch, KGD-52GREY
• Kraus KGD-54GREY Forteza Granite Kitchen Sink, 33 Inch, Grey

These are the leaders of the composite granite sink market.

Pros of Granite Composite Sinks

If you are only looking for a basic idea, you can just read the headings. Most of them are quite self-explanatory. However, for in-depth

Durable

Granite is essentially molten rock forming in immense pressure deep inside the earth’s surface. And engineered composite granite sinks have a 5% to 20% resin or other binding materials. These make them incredibly strong.

Good quality granite composite sinks will be resistant to stains, scratching, and chipping. They will also prevent watermarks. Moreover, it is not so strong to shatter glasses.

Looks

People buy granite composite sinks for the looks and style. There is no comparison to the natural look of granite stone which is enhanced by the engineered to a composite material.

Anti-bacterial properties

Many studies have shown that your toilet seat is cleaner than your kitchen sink. Don’t know whose sinks they took as a sample, but it was certainly not mine. 

Anyway, we are not eating from our sinks. But you don’t need to care about that if you have a granite sink because these sinks have antibacterial properties.

Acid Resistant

Your kitchen is no less than a chemistry lab. And some of those materials like acid can ruin the looks of your sink and counter. But granite composites are completely immune to acids and most other caustic materials.

Fade-resistant

Reputed brands will guaranty fade-resistant finish. However, it can fade after multiple decades of use. So, it can be considered virtually fade resistant.

Luxury product

Composite granite is a premium material intended for high-end kitchens. Granite composite sink finishes look phenomenal.

Easy maintenance

Compared to other luxury sinks, this type needs a meager amount of caring during its lifetime. You just have to clean it regularly. And the cleaning materials need not be corrosive chemicals. Even if they are, it will not damage the outer layer.

Doesn’t need yearly sealing

Natural granite sinks require yearly sealing. That is a big pain. Granite composites are engineered in a way that their seal is permanent and won’t require any backup. However, if the finish on your sink is looking hazy, you should get it sealed by a professional plumber. But this will happen after several years.

Resists heat

Although the thermal conductivity of the main granite mineral is greater than your average room temperature, composite granites are engineered in such a way that it resists heat. To be exact, your composite granite sink will be able to resist heat around 280°C or 536°F.

Requires regular cleaning chemical

Keeping a premium sink might seem like a lot of maintenance. But there are no special cleaning requirements for granite composite sinks. You need to clean the sink regularly with general cleaning chemicals.

Cons of Granite Composite Sinks

Again, if you just want a basic idea of the problems, the headings are enough for you. But for more details, you can read the rest of the paragraphs.

Expensive

Well, if you are looking for quality, you need to pay a little extra. But we can assure you that the marginal benefit of your bucks will be greater. If you have the money, go for it.

Less variety of finishes

As the process of the granite composites is complicated, you won’t have many choices for finishes. However, the ones that exist are good for any premium kitchen. Here is a list of finishes that will be available with composite granite-

• Onyx
• Alpina
• Moonstone
• Chroma

They have the typical smooth matte sanded look. However, this is typical to those who are accustomed to style. And they know it is very hard to top that. You will have them is the following colors-

• Black
• Grey
• Cream
• Beige
• Ivory
• White hue

Well, it was a lot for a con.

Diluents might harm the surface

Substances like alcohol, gasoline, chlorine shouldn’t be staying long on the granite composite surface. Gasoline and chlorine are understandable, but alcohol is a little too much.

Not suited for industrial chemical agents and abrasives

Not that everyone has industrial agents in their house. But if you have one of those, don’t use it on the granite composite. You also need to keep industrial abrasives away.

Don’t have a direct flame on it

You can’t do your experiments on the sink. Because, although it is heat resistant, a direct fire might damage the exterior. Then again, you can’t do that with most other sinks as well.

Heavy

As it is a stone type sink, this is bound to be heavy. This extra bulk adds to the difficulty of installation.

What Is a Composite Sink?

The sinks that are made of a combination of various materials are called composite sinks. Now, theoretically, most of the sink materials are a combination of multiple elements, but here we are talking about natural stones coupled with binders and other materials to make them stronger.

Most famous are the granite composites and quartz composite sinks. These composite will have 80% to 95% of the primary material, which is mostly granite, quartz, or plastic, and the rest will be a binder like acrylic particles such as resin or glue.

Best Brands for Purchasing Granite Composite Sinks

Granite composites are premium products. So, you can’t buy them from random sellers. You need a name backing the product. And the names below have a history of delivering quality products throughout the USA-

• Blanco
• Franke Ellipse
• Ruvati
• Kraus
• Elkay

We strongly recommend planning your purchase from a reputed brand. After all, this is a luxury product.

Natural Granite vs. Composite Granite

Don’t let unscrupulous marketers fool you. There is a vast difference between natural and composite granite. And composites are way better than their natural counterparts. They are way more durable and lower in price.

Weight

Generally, natural granite is 5% to 20% heavier than engineered granite. So they require increased installation and maintenance expense.

Durability  

Regular granite is susceptible to chipping. But the one isn’t.

Maintenance and Installation

Regular granites need more maintenance than composites. The installation process is harder as it is heavier. Moreover, natural granite sinks will need annual sealing and regular cleaning. Whereas, composite granites will only require typical day to day maintenance.

Granite Composite Sinks vs. Stainless Steel Sinks

Most of the differences are very obvious. Granite is much good looking and expensive as well. But when you consider the premium finish and durability of the granite composite, the price becomes far more reasonable. Moreover, the price is not that high that you can’t afford it. It is probably in our budget.

Furthermore, you only get a shiny silver color with stainless and coatings don’t look that good. On the other hand, stainless steel is much lighter and easy to install. And granite composites also show significant damage to harsh chemicals.

Granite Composite Sinks vs. Porcelain Sinks

Porcelain is actually cast iron sinks with a porcelain top layer. They are more of a traditional approach than the modern look of composite sinks. Porcelain finish sinks are generally very shiny, which reduces the exposure of water stain. It is also susceptible to chipping.

Other than these differences, both of the types are quite similar in operation. But of course, granite composite is the more premium and luxury product of them.

Granite Composite Sink Pricing

The price will vary largely depending on the style and design of the sink. Brand value also plays a big role in this market as it is a luxury product.

However, a double bowl sink should be anywhere from 200$ to 500$. If it a single bowl, you might get it in 180$ or lesser if you are lucky. You will also see some very low priced granite composite sinks in the market. Don’t go for them unless you have good knowledge about the sink.

Conclusion

You can go back and search more for the pros and cons of granite composite sinks, but you will hardly find anything. Because we have already done that and saw a serious deficiency of good knowledge on these sinks.

Hopefully, we have done our part to enrich the vault of kitchen insights.