Today’s granite kitchen sinks are made from a next generation composite that delivers beauty, ease and durability without solid granite’s shortcomings. The composite material is available in a pleasing range of hues, and sinks are crafted in enough styles to be sure of fitting into the kitchen design you’re planning.
This granite kitchen sink buyers guide gives you a wealth of information you can use to compare granite composite to cast iron, stainless steel, copper, porcelain and other materials you’re considering. We’ve created guides for those materials too.
About Granite Kitchen Sinks
The material is not solid granite. It is composed of crushed quartz and an acrylic resin binder. Quartz is the hardest material in granite, typically with a concentration of about 20%. Granite sinks are composed of 80% quartz to create a very hard, tough material that is also called:
- Composite granite
- Granite composite
- Composite
- Processed granite
- Brand-specific names such as E-Granite (Elkay) and Silgranit (Blanco)
Note: Keep in mind that the granite composite sink industry does not use strictly uniform production processes, so each brand’s sinks are a little different. Manufacturer’s websites are a helpful place to find the details of how each brand’s composite sinks are made.
Composite Granite Sink Options
Here’s an overview of the choices you have in granite sinks – and the decisions you’ll have to make. The good news is that we’ve got guides to help with most of your decisions. See our guide sets for topmount, undermount, corner and apron & farmhouse sinks as well as guides to single, double and triple bowl sinks.
- Single, double and triple sinks
- Topmount (aka drop-in/self-rimming), undermount, apron/farmhouse and corner sinks
- Widths less than 18” and more than 36”
- 3 to 12 color options for most models
- Granite sinks starting at less than $200 and ranging to about $1,500 for standard sinks and $4,000 for custom made granite sinks
Top Granite Composite Sink Brands
There are far fewer brands making granite sinks than there are manufacturing stainless steel sinks, but you’ll still find a good spectrum of choices from these top brands:
- Elkay
- Franke
- Blanco
- Kraus
- Swan
- Lenova
Advantages and Disadvantages of Composite Granite Sinks
Let’s look at the pros & cons of granite sinks, so you can compare them with other materials you’re considering.
Granite kitchen sink advantages – Granite composite sinks:
- Give you a choice of colors from medium-light to very dark as well as size and configuration options
- Are very tough and durable
- Resist scratches
- Are heat resistant to 500+ Fahrenheit
- Feature a non-porous surface that doesn’t require sealing
- Are fairly easy to clean and maintain
- Deaden sound, so their quieter than stainless steel
- Weigh less than cast iron
Granite kitchen sink disadvantages – Granite composite sinks:
- Are heavier than stainless steel, so extra support might be required for your sink
- Can be damaged by harsh chemicals
- Might chip if heavy objects fall on them, but the chips can be successfully repaired
- Aren’t porous, but some have surfaces where mineral deposits from hard water or salt from softened water can accumulate and dull the finish
See our Granite Sink Care & Maintenance Guide for instructions on keeping the surface of your sink from getting clouded with deposits.
Processed Granite Kitchen Sink Style
The majority of composite granite sinks have a modern, European or contemporary look. However, apron/farmhouse sinks are available too with a more traditional or country look to them.
Composite Granite Kitchen Sink Prices
Our Composite Granite Sink Price Guide breaks down pricing by sink type – topmount, undermount, apron and corner. Here is an overview of granite sink costs using averages for all types.
- Starting price for composite granite sinks: About $70
- Price range for most composite granite sinks: $150-$350
- High-end composite granite sink prices: About $1,500; more for custom-made sinks
Is a Granite Composite Sink Right for You?
Take some time to get to know the look of processed granite. Our Pinterest page is loaded with pictures and ideas for using one in your kitchen. Most processed granite kitchen sinks are sleek and contemporary. If that fits your design scheme, a granite sink will deliver excellent durability that requires only basic care and maintenance.
Granite Composite Kitchen Sink FAQ
This brief granite sink Q&A addresses additional topics that might be of interest to you.
I read about granite sinks becoming hazy and dull. How can I prevent that?
The cloudiness that can plague granite composite sinks is a result of minerals from hard water and/or salt from softened water clinging to the surface. First, most manufacturers recommend rinsing the sink and wiping it dry after use. This is a theme in sink care now for many types of sink including stainless steel and cast iron.
Secondly, some of the current generation of composite sinks have finishes that more effectively resist the deposits that cloud some sinks. Still, be prepared to give your sink a bit of TLC.
If the sink dulls, can anything be done to remove the cloudiness?
This is covered in more detail in the Composite Granite Sink Care & Maintenance Guide, but yes, you can remove the cloudy haze. White vinegar by itself might work, or a product like Blanco’s Blancoclean Silgranit sink cleaner will do the job. Another good choice is Supreme Surface Scum & Mineral Deposit Remover.
What are the pros and cons of a very dark granite composite sink? What about a light sink?
The concerns are that mineral and salt deposits show up more quickly on a dark surface. Food particles do too. On the plus side, a dark sink hides scratches better than a light sink – though the better composite sinks on the market today offer excellent scratch resistance.
The opposite is true of a lighter sink – hides food particles but shows scratches more readily.
Related Content in this Series
View other guides in this series which you may find useful.
