Astini's latest offering to the granite category, the Astini Elmo sink, is ever-growing in popularity, championing value for money. It is perfect for anyone looking for a granite sink that doesn't break the bank - and because it is available in 3 colours, it is suitable for most modern kitchen environments, with the simplistic drainer pattern fitting in with most decors.
Durability
As with all granite sinks, the Astini Elmois very durable. It is resistant to mild impacts, scratches, and staining - and with proper care, will look as good in 10 years as it did the day it was fitted. Not really much more to say about this, it just works.
Design & Versatility
As we said above, the design of this sink isn't going to blow anyone away due to it being very simple. But that means that it does fit into a variety of traditional and modern kitchen designs without standing out. For us, that means it's perfectly placed for many kitchen installers who are looking for something to fit into their plans or save the day when the original plans fall through.
Being made from granite composite means it can be fit into many different cabinets, worktops, etc without any concerns, as long as the sink is correctly supported it will last for a very long time, You can read more about how granite sinks are made and the benefits of the material in our article, What is a Granite Sink?
Ease of Use
Firstly, if we take a look at installation, granites are installed very similarly to stainless steel. The process is very simple, and most fitters will be familiar with it. The only thing that changes with a granite sink is that the tap hole has to be knocked out, and they do not come as standard.
This isn't something unique to the Elmo, but definitely something to keep in mind. You can do this yourself (we have a guide on how to do that here) or we can get our on-site fitter to knock through this for you. If you have a kitchen fitter, they may also be able to do this for you; however, make sure they are insured to do so first, because if there is a mistake made, a replacement would not be free of charge.
The Elmo does not come with clips; instead, it is designed to be installed like a ceramic sink, using a grab adhesive, which also acts as a seal once set. Place the sink into the cut-out, apply the adhesive, then weigh down/clamp the sink to the worktop and allow it to dry. Time will depend on the adhesive used and also the environment.
Once installed, the sink is easy to use, as with any sink. With granite, however, there can be a learning curve with maintenance and keeping it clear of limescale build-up. Check our article here for tips and tricks for cleaning up limescale, but the key is to stay on top of it from the start.
Features
As far as features go, they are fairly standard for a granite sink at this price point. It comes with basket strainer wastes for easy debris removal, 2 tap hole positions, and obviously you get all of the benefits of a granite sink that we have explained above.
It does not come with a plumbing kit, but this is something commonly supplied by your plumber, or we do sell them separately on our site too, you can find a selection here.
Conclusion
It's a great entry-level granite sink - and you would find it hard to beat the quality at this price point. With a 10-year guarantee to boot - what's not to like?
Taps UK is a prominent online retailer in the United Kingdom, specializing in a wide variety of kitchen and bathroom products. The company boasts a large selection of taps, sinks, and accessories from both well-known industry brands and its own exclusive lines, catering to a broad customer base that includes the general public as well as trade professionals like developers and builders.
