If you’re remodeling your current home or building a new one, the kitchen is an essential factor. Kitchens are the heart of the home. They can immediately make guests fall in love with your house. Not to mention, you’ll spend a lot of time there. You’ll want your kitchen to be a masterpiece; from cooking family dinners to hosting.
One essential aspect of the kitchen is the sink. Sinks need to require a certain degree of functionality. However, they also must look good. As interior design has evolved, more people are moving away from stainless steel sinks. Now, the granite kitchen sink has made an appearance.
Granite Sink Guide
Investing in a granite sink for your kitchen is a great idea. Yet, we recommend educating yourself on it first. To learn about the ancient stone, keep reading! This article will discuss what granite is and what you should know about using this stone in your kitchen.
What Is Granite?
Granite is a unique mix of minerals and rocks that can be found on the earth. Most often, quartz, mica, amphiboles, and potassium feldspar can be found in granite. Granite is created from magma with silica and alkali metal oxides. As the magma begins to cool, granite forms. It comes in a range of unique colors, including white, black, and red. Because it’s natural, granite offers a beautiful finish to our homes. Each piece is unique, which makes it well-loved by homeowners.
This incredible stone has made a significant impact on home decor. However, its use doesn’t stop there. One property of the stone is that it is an extremely hard material. This makes it a perfect addition to countertops. Granite is also commonly used for backsplash, building stone, tile, paving stone, memorials, curbing, and sinks.
Another reason that it’s loved in the home is its glossy finish. It offers a level of elegance to any room. Granite can come in a wide range of prices. You can expect to pay anywhere between $5 and $60 per square foot.
Things to Know About Granite
In the past several years, granite has been used for kitchen sinks. There are many benefits of this. However, there may be some setbacks for you to know about. There are many designs on the market. Few things look more luxe than a farmhouse sink with granite countertops! If you’re looking for a granite farmhouse sink, this article is a great place to start.
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Cost
Most homeowners are aware of the price of the popular stainless steel kitchen sink. In fact, you can get one of these for as low as $50. Of course, pricing can depend on the sink's thickness, brand, and placement. Stainless steel kitchen sinks are a less expensive option. However, a granite kitchen sink is often more costly.
A solid granite sink is much more expensive. This uses natural stone throughout the entire sink. These can cost anywhere between $500 to $5,000, which is a large price tag for a sink. However, there are composite granite sinks available that are less expensive. These use both natural stone and resin. You can expect to pay between $300 and $600.
If you are looking for a higher-quality material, the investment in granite is worth it. There are many benefits to opting for the stone, such as low maintenance, easy cleaning, and noise buffering.
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Variety
Say goodbye to the stainless steel sink that everyone has! Now you can get creative with your sink. You can play with different colors, finishes, and shapes with granite. This allows you to customize your kitchen. If you're going for a one-of-a-kind look, this is a great way to do it.
One typical granite sink is a black farmhouse sink. This adds a pop of edginess to your kitchen. Other popular colors are white, taupe, brown, and tan. Tailor your sink to complement your countertops.
Many manufacturers offer different styles of sinks. Whether you want a top mount, under mount, or double basin, you can find it. Sinks come in different sizes, including a 33 inch single bowl kitchen sink. As granite has grown in popularity, so have the shapes and styles. This makes shopping much more manageable!
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Hardness
Don't forget that granite is one of the hardest materials in the world. While this is good for your sink, it may not suit your glassware. This means that it is built to last. However, there's a downfall to this. It is improbable that you'll chip or scratch your sink. Unfortunately, you may break dishes as you clean them.
Due to the hardness of the sink, dropping glassware and dishes can shatter. If you're careful, this problem will be easy to avoid. If you wash delicate glasses, such as wine glasses, you'll want to acknowledge that they can break. This will require more care than other sinks.
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Weight
Stainless steel sinks are relatively light. This means that most countertops and cupboards can hold their weight. However, granite sinks may not be the same. Granite is much heavier than stainless steel. In order to account for this, you may need to add structural support. If your cupboards cannot withstand much weight, you’ll have to accommodate this.
Another consideration is installation. Granite sinks are heavier, which means you may need a hand installing this. When in doubt, look to a professional to help.
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Cleaning
Kitchen sinks come in contact with a lot of bacteria. You're washing food down, and it's bound to accumulate germs. You'll want a sink that is easy to clean. Composite granite sinks are nonporous. Due to this, they are highly hygienic. You can feel good about using this sink.
Another thing to remember is that harsh chemicals can damage the stone. You'll want to avoid bleach and other intense cleaners. We recommend using dish soap and hot water to clean the sink. This is often potent enough to kill the bacteria. If you have a stain in the sink, you can pour some baking soda onto it. You can also add vinegar for a stronger clean.
Stay away from abrasive sponges. This is especially important with composite granite sinks. Instead, opt for a non-abrasive sponge. This will prolong the life of the resin.
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Maintenance
Granite looks better for longer than stainless steel. However, it does require some upkeep and maintenance. For natural granite sinks, you’ll have to seal them. We recommend doing this two to three times a year. As the seal wears off, the granite will look darker as it gets wet. You want to avoid this. Sealing a granite sink will ensure that it doesn’t look dated or become stained.
If you get a composite granite sink, you won’t have to seal it as thoroughly. Instead, apply a cleaner and sealer to the surface. This can be rinsed off, so the process is less tedious. You can also polish it for a shiny finish.
Restoring a composite granite sink isn't required as often as natural stone. Instead, just complete it when the sink looks hazy or loses its gloss.
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Durability
Granite sinks are incredibly durable. While stainless steel will scratch and can dent, granite likely won't. In fact, granite is primarily scratch-resistant. This will keep your kitchen looking great for years to come. Most granite sinks have a lifespan of fifty years. This means that you'll likely redo your kitchen before needing a new sink. Though the granite sink is pricier, its lifespan makes the investment worth it.
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Noise Buffering
There's nothing more annoying than loud noises when doing the dishes. You don't want to wake up the family while cleaning your wine glass. Stainless steel sinks are known for being noisy. They are made of thin material. This results in the loud clanging of utensils and an echo of running water. This isn't very pleasant for homeowners. To avoid this, many people soundproof their sinks.
Luckily, granite sinks don't have the same issue. They naturally buffer the noise. Furthermore, they are made of thicker material. This means that the kitchen sink won't be nearly as noisy. This isn't something many people consider while shopping. However, it is a common complaint among those who have experienced it.
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Heat and Acid Resistant
Other factors in the kitchen can damage sinks. Two common concerns are acid and heat. These can both have a negative impact on stainless steel. This can limit the lifespan of the sink as acid creates etching on the surface. Common acids include orange juice, lemons, and more.
Thankfully, granite is resistant to both acid and heat. If it comes into contact with a hot pan or lime juice, it won’t be damaged. This allows you for carefree use in the kitchen!
Conclusion
Based on these considerations, do you still want a granite kitchen sink? These sinks are a perfect addition to any kitchen. Despite the investment, it’ll last longer and be less susceptible to damage. Furthermore, granite sinks look much better than stainless steel sinks. Shop from different styles, colors, and shapes to complete your kitchen. You’ll love the final look of these gorgeous products.
