A Granite Kitchen Sink Comparison

If you are in the process of choosing a kitchen sink, I’m sure you are well aware of the abundance of options.  Sometimes it can be a bit daunting considering how many different sinks there are to choose from.  A good way to begin is to decide which material you would like your sink made from.  The vast majority of homes have stainless steel sinks, but that doesn’t mean that this is your only option.  Some people like to choose items for their kitchens that stand out a bit and attract positive attention.  A good way to do this is to choose a sink that is made from a material other than stainless steel, which nearly everyone else has.  While you have a few choices, which include fireclay ceramic sinks and composite sinks, another great choice is a sink made of granite.  Granite is a beautiful, natural rock that is ideal for use in kitchens.  It is waterproof, great looking, and versatile.  Another great thing about granite kitchen sinks is that they come in a few different colors and styles, so that you can choose one that fits well with your countertop.  Let’s take a look at some of the granite sinks that are available.

Types of Granite Kitchen Sinks

As far as colors go, the vast majority of granite sinks come in the following three colors:  black, white, and biscuit.  If you are wondering what color biscuit is, think of a creamy, yellowish color.  In terms of layouts, these sinks come in the usual patterns.  You can get a large single bowl sink, or the more common double bowl variety.  Some double bowl granite kitchen sinks are evenly sized, and others have one larger bowl and one smaller one.
Most kitchens these days have larger, double bowl sinks, but some small apartments only have room for a single bowl one.  Pegasus makes the Astracast granite single bowl sink in 2 different colors, black and tan.  Pegasus is a brand name that is owned and sold by The Home Depot, so buying a Pegasus granite kitchen sink is as easy and convenient as heading over to the store or looking online here.
The good thing about these sinks is that they can be installed as either drop-in or undermount sinks.  See below for more information on undermount sinks.
One other thing to look for when shopping for granite sinks is that some of them come with grooves on the base of the bowls.  They do this so that it makes it easier to wash vegetables, fruit, or other things without them sliding around to much.

Undermount Granite Kitchen Sinks

An undermount sink, as its name suggests, is mounted under the countertop, instead of above it.  Most sinks are known as drop-in sinks, because they are simply dropped into the hole, and the lip of the sink rests on the countertop to support the sink.  Undermount sinks, on the other hand are fastened from below to the countertop, so there is no sink lip protruding onto the countertop.  The good thing about this style of sink is that you can simply take your kitchen towel and sweep crumbs right off the countertop and into the sink.  Before you get one of these granite undermount kitchen sinks, you should know that you need to have solid countertop to support it.  The sink is bolted onto the counter from below, so make sure you countertop is rated to support this weight.  In addition, granite is heavier than stainless steel.  The sink itself can weigh 25 pounds or more, and when they are filled with water and heavy dishes, this can be a substantial pull on the counter.  If you are unsure about whether or not your counter can handle this weight, simply contact whoever installed or sold you the counter and ask them.

Brands of Granite Kitchen Sinks

Most of the big sink manufacturing companies make granite sinks as well.  While there won’t be as many choices as stainless steel, you will find some choices in layout and style.  There is a type of Franke granite sink for example, that has a natural stone finish.  What this means is that you can actually see the natural stone pattern in the sink.  Most other sinks have a solid coating over them so you see a smooth finish.  If you like the look of the latter type of black granite kitchen sink, one with a smooth finish, most sinks have this look.
If a black sink just wouldn’t match the layout of your kitchen, most companies have white or off-white versions as well.  You can get a beautiful Blanco granite kitchen sink that comes in a color called “biscuit”.  Their granite sinks are made of what they call Blancodiamond Silgranit, which is 80% granite and 20% composite material.  The result is a sink that is chip and scratch resistant, highly durable, and with the look and feel of real stone.

Granite Kitchen Sink Prices

While it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find the sort of ultra-cheap sinks like those made out of stainless steel, you will probably be surprised to know that there are some very affordable granite sinks as well.  The cheapest models that I’ve come across are made by a company named Swanstone.  You can get a low-end Swanstone granite kitchen sink for as little as $170.  This is a great budget choice, as it is great looking, durable, and can be mounted either as a drop-in or an undermount.
If you want to go a step up, there are a lot of granite sinks that are in the $200 – $300 range. This includes most of the better known brands like Pegasus, Blanco, and Elkay.  Of course, these companies also offer high end sinks that are priced quite a bit higher as well.  For a real luxury, consider the Elkay E-Granite double bowl sink. This sink has two bowls that are offset, and come in three different colors:  bisque, black, or mocha.  If you are looking for a unique colored sink, this is a good bet.  Take a look here for more information.

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