Granite Sinks Guide: Types, Benefits & Care Tips

There are some common misconceptions when a company states that they have a range of granite sinks. For a sink to be pure granite, you would have to carve it from granite, which would make designs very limited and also extremely expensive. Manufacturers had to get creative and use new methods to create a material with the same qualities and aesthetics that would be desirable to customers.

Manufacturers such as Schock and Elleci, make stunning sinks from granite composite material, in some designs made only possible by modern technology and methods.

The material is a man made composite, compromising from many different materials to create the final product. This is also aided by a specific procedure that brings the composite material together in a way that is pleasing to the eye and also very tough.

With an engineered blend of crushed quartz and stone, an acrylic resin is added to combine them all together. The finished product is a highly durable, low-maintenance stone-like material that is much lighter and moldable than traditional granite - but still every bit as capable when it comes to everyday challenges found in any kitchen. Although their primary use is kitchen sinks at the moment, there is a big emergence of composite worktops entering the kitchen market.

The manufacturing process, simplified considerably, is as follows:

• Feed and Mix - Raw materials are checked and added to mixers to blend together

• Molding - The mixture is then poured into a mold and formed into a sink shape (size depending on mold/manufacturer

• Pressing - The mould is then compacted by a special vacuum, followed by a vibration process applying 100 tonnes of pressure

• Curing - The sinks are then taken to a kiln and heated to give strength and rigidity

• Polishing - Sinks are then measured and polished to their final finish

• Quality Control - Finally, the sinks go through quality control and are packaged and labelled with any relevant information

Here is a short video from Blanco showing how they are made:

Quartz is the main material used to create composite materials used for these sinks and work surfaces. It is crystallised silicon dioxide, which is found naturally as a mineral in the earth's crust. The main qualities of the material lend themselves towards these products, as it is very hard and resistant to most acids found in general household foods and cleaners.

The makeup of the composite materials is very different to natural stone, as the structure is much more compact due to the resin component. Another added benefit of the resin is that the final composite material is non-porous, which means that due to the quartz surface, it is extremely stain-resistant and easily cleaned back to the original finish.

The best way to see the hardness of granite is to take a look at the internationally recognised scale, Mohs Hardness Scale, which shows you that quartz is level 7 out of a possible 10 (1 being talc, 10 being diamond). Comparatively, a natural stone (granite) worktop would also be around 7 on this scale. It’s some pretty tough stuff.

Granite composite is a man-made material created by combining:

• Crushed stone (70–80%) – usually quartz, granite, or a mix of natural stone particles ground very finely.

• Acrylic resins (20–30%) – high-quality acrylic or polyester binders that hold the stone particles together.

• Pigments – added to achieve different colours and finishes (e.g. black, grey, white, beige).

The result is a dense, durable, non-porous material that mimics the look and feel of natural stone but with greater resistance to scratches, stains, and heat.

When you are looking at kitchen sinks, not much comes close to the resiliency of a granite composite. It is very resistant to many types of damage as we have already mentioned. It also takes accidental drops in its stride, with Schock even shooting a bullet at one to prove it’s hardiness (see below)

Here are some more key benefits listed below;

• Heat Resistant - Composite can withstand temperatures of over 260°C, so your hot kitchenware won’t fade or discolour the sink

• Stain Resistant - Unlike natural granite the finished material does not need sealing

• Chip and Scratch Resistant - Strong enough to take on daily tasks and knocks.

• Lightweight - Natural stone is heavy, and for the same footprint would be easily 4 times the weight of a composite sink, meaning it would need a custom frame to hold the weight. Composite sinks are installed the same way as a stainless steel sink, and require no additional support.

• Malleable - Because of the way the sink is manufactured it can be shaped into many different designs and styles so it can fit into any kitchen. There is a massive amount of styles, colours and sizes available to purchase.

• Affordable - It’s natural stone, without the expense or additional requirements. You get the look of natural stone at a fraction of the cost, and in the modern market thay are competitively priced against ceramic and stainless alternatives.

As with all sinks, it depends entirely on what you are looking for. Both sinks are hard-wearing, but stainless steel does scratch more easily. Granite is more expensive at the entry level than stainless steel, but high-quality designer stainvless steel sinks often surpass all materials in cost.

If you’re budget is less than £100, then it’s going to be a stainless steel sink every time, but if you can make it to the cost of a composite, there is not a massive difference between cheap and expensive granite sinks, and by that we mean you get the majority of the benefits from having a granite sink, at all price points - the more expensive sinks are normally a more unique design or advanced colour.

As said many times already, Granite is a really hardy material and does not stain easily. It can, however, fall victim to hard water, and limescale build-up can cause you a headache. An issue we see quite often is watermarks in the sink caused by limescale, which then get stained by other things like tea or coffee. Here is an example below;

A really easy way to combat this is to wipe your sink down when you’re finished using it as keeping it dry does not allow the limescale to build up - but there are other solutions if you leave it for a bit and the build-up gets worse. Take a look below at a Blanco demonstration of their sinks and how easy they are to clean.

Moving on to the heavier limescale issue we discussed above, some brands have developed their own cleaners designed specifically to restore the finish, whereas others recommend more traditional household cleaners like white vinegar and baking soda. Take a look at the blog on limescale to get more information, and our section of cleaning and care products to help look after your granite sink.

Granite composite sinks combine crushed stone (often quartz) with acrylic resin to mimic the look and strength of natural granite—but at a lighter weight and greater versatility. They offer excellent durability, being heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant, without needing sealing like real stone. In addition, their non-porous surface makes them easier to clean and maintain, though they do require occasional care to prevent limescale and water stains.

When choosing a granite sink, consider how the sink is made (quality of resin and stone blend), how it will be used in your kitchen, and how you’ll look after it long term to maintain its finish and performance.