Granite vs. granite composite – the debate has been ongoing for decades. However, there is still one school that believes that composite granite is another name for granite. Well, that certainly isn’t the case.
Granite composite is a human-made material, which contains natural stone dust from mainly granite and a water-proof acrylic resin. Composite sinks may contain quartz dust instead of granite. Subsequently, the resin and stone mix undergo molding into the shape of a solid sink. So, the label “composite stone” can refer to either quartz dust or granite stone dust sink.
Therefore, when in doubt, always ask a sales executive or brand rep, who knows more about the composition of the kitchen sink.
What are the USPs of granite composite sinks?
Granite composite sinks are considerably cheaper than granite, and even some stainless-steel sinks. Yet, granite composite sinks can be more durable than your average porcelain sinks. Since most of the high-quality (but not necessarily highly-priced) granite composite sinks withstand enormous pressure during formation, you can be sure that they will remain resistant to high temperature, pressure, and daily scuffing.
Their stain and scratch resistance make granite composite sinks extremely popular among apartment owners and house owners equally. Whether you have two users or ten users in your home, your sink needs to retain some resistance towards regular use for years to come.
Is caring for a composite sink more challenging than granite or stainless-steel sink?
Cleaning a composite sink is not as difficult as most blogs and reviews make it out to be. Just as you cannot use strong bleaching products or alkaline solutions directly on your stainless-steel sink, you cannot pour high strength cleaners directly into your granite composite sink. Remember not to scrub unnecessarily, especially with steel scrubbers and harsh detergents.
Some composite sinks might be slightly sensitive towards heat. Therefore, avoid pouring boiling water and milk directly into the sink. Don’t strain boiling vegetables directly either. Let the solution or food cool down for a while, or open the tap for cold water before you pour hot liquid into the sink. High heat can cause the resin to melt and create marks on top of the composite surface.
If you require a product that exhibits high heat tolerance, you should check the product description and warranty of the manufacturer before purchasing.
How can you restore an old composite sink?
Maintaining a composite sink is not as difficult as taking care of a full granite or porcelain sink. However, since these sinks involve the use of a sealer and resin, you might want to find out about the reapplication of a cleaner and sealer in detail. Investing in a quality cleaner and manufacturer recommended sealer can save you big bucks on kitchen sink restoration and replacement in the near future.
Remember to buy a trustworthy polishing agent. However, you need to clean, reseal, and re-polish only when your sink begins to appear hazy after months or years of use. The haziness is a sign that the outer resin layer is deploring and causing mineral buildup. How frequently you need to re-polish and reseal will depend upon the extent of daily usage, the hardness of the water, the quality of detergent or dish soap you use, and your daily cleaning practices.
How can granite composite sinks save you money and effort?
If you are now second-guessing your decision to go with a composite sink, stop worrying! These sinks are budget-friendly, highly durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Composite sinks come in diverse styles, colors, and shapes. Their hardness in no way contributes to inflexibility in design or style. You can find sinks that are highly colorful or single bowl sinks in plain black. You can pick a design for top mounting, or another farmhouse style perfect for undermount installation. In short, you will never have to settle for a design that you don’t 100% love.
If you love some predictability in your life, then a granite composite sink is the way to go. Composite granite is a material that does not wear away easily. Their texture is durable and long-lasting. The consistency in color and texture is a bonus for every composite sink user. While it is not identical to natural granite in color, texture, and patterns, you can expect the texture of the composite material to be uniform throughout due to the use of advanced engineering to design the material.
Why do apartment owners pick composite granite sinks?
Composite granite sinks can complement composite quartz or granite stone countertops perfectly. You can choose a sink in matte black, grey, or brownish hues or browse the expansive collection of speckled composite sinks that complement your kitchen’s color scheme.
At the same time, you can explore a never-ending range of faucets and other add-ons for your sink, thanks to the wide range of compatible color schemes and textures. It brings forth another advantage that many homeowners forget to consider – you can replace your countertop, backsplash, wall tiles, flooring, cabinetry, and faucets without worrying about replacing your massive sink. The extensive compatibility options ensure that no matter what theme you pick for your kitchen, your composite granite sink will blend in perfectly.
Why should you consider your kitchen sink to be a long-term investment?
Your kitchen sink will withstand defrosting of meat and straining of pasta, probably within 24 hours. A kitchen sink sustains significant abuse over its lifetime, and you need to pick a material that will give you your money’s worth. While choosing a porcelain sink might seem like a more financially viable option, it may not be a smart investment in the long-term.
Even if granite composite sinks seem costlier than other sink materials, you need to make the tough call. Think of the added expense as a necessary expenditure that adds a few more years to your sink’s lifespan. Moreover, a composite granite sink may add more value to your home as compared to stainless steel or ceramic sink. Research shows that homes that invest in a trendy sink during remodels have the opportunity to recuperate more than 82% of the initial investment during the sale or leasing of the property.
