Buying a Granite Composite Sink? Here’s What You Need to Know

A granite composite sink makes a beautifully durable addition to your kitchen. This engineered material is manufactured using a mix of granite stone dust and acrylic resins molded into sink form. Composite sinks composed of quartz dust and acrylic resins are close cousins. The labels “composite stone” and “granite sink” are sometimes used interchangeably to describe either material. Including a composite granite sink in your kitchen has several advantages, as well as some drawbacks.

Read our buying guide below to see if a composite granite sink is right for your kitchen remodel.

Composite Granite Sink Advantages

Granite composite sinks provide an attractive alternative to traditional stainless-steel or porcelain sinks. These are some of the material’s top selling points:

1. Variety: You’ll find a wide range of composite granite sink styles, sizes, shapes, finishes, and color options to complement your countertops. White, black, and brown remain the most popular color choices. When comparing the style options for granite composite sinks vs. stainless-steel sinks, for example, you’ll have many more options with the former.
2. Consistency: An authentic granite stone sink features the natural variations of stone throughout the material. A composite granite sink, however, features uniform color throughout the material.
3. Cost: A composite granite sink generally costs less than a natural granite sink.

Composite Granite Sink Disadvantages

It’s important to understand both the pros and cons before you choose a granite composite sink for your kitchen. Here are some of the downsides of this material:

1. Hardness: While some sink materials are more forgiving, composite granite is hard enough to break glassware when dropped onto the surface. This granite composite sink problem is something to consider if you frequently wash breakable dishes in the sink.
2. Color uniformity: The authentic look of granite is difficult to recreate. A composite granite sink is uniform in pattern and color and doesn’t feature variations like natural granite.
3. Cost: Quality composite granite sinks are more costly than sink materials such as stainless steel and porcelain.
4. Weight: Granite composite sinks are usually much heavier than stainless-steel varieties, so you might need to install added structural support underneath the sink.
   

How to Clean a Granite Composite Sink

Ease of cleaning is a consideration for any kitchen feature, especially the sink. Quality composite granite sinks are formed under high pressure, making them nonporous, hygienic, and resistant to heat, stains, scratches, and chips. However, cleaning and removing stains from a granite composite sink can be tricky.

Harsh chemicals can damage a composite granite sink, so follow the manufacturer's suggestions for cleaning the surface and products to avoid pouring into the sink. You can usually use mild dish soap and warm water to clean a granite composite sink. For tougher stains, sprinkle baking soda into the sink, add vinegar, and gently scrub with a non-abrasive sponge. Some composite granite sinks can be damaged by heat, resulting in blemishes from melting resins, and the material does scratch. Check the manufacturer’s warranty and select a product designed for high heat resistance.

How to Maintain a Composite Granite Sink

Unlike natural granite, a composite granite surface won’t require sealing. However, these sinks do require a certain amount of upkeep to keep the protective coating intact. To do so, apply a cleaner and sealer to the sink with a soft cloth. Then, scrub clean and wipe dry before finishing the restoring job with a polishing agent ($8, Home Depot).

You should only need to do this restoring process when you start to notice your composite sink looking hazy, according to Supreme Surface Cleaners. The hazy look means the protective surface is wearing away and the minerals from the water are causing buildup.