When choosing a sink for your granite countertop, there are many options available besides the old-fashioned vitreous china your grandmother had in her kitchen. A number of factors will come into play when you make your selection, among them cost, aesthetics, the existing faucet (assuming one exists), and your own usage.
Your own usage is always the most important factor in the list. The reason is because the sink is the most-often used item in your kitchen (except possibly the trash). This means that if you aren’t a heavy-duty cook and want something that will be really showy and pristine, your sink choice will be different than a sink for a person who is always whipping up feasts.
Undermount stainless steel
In addition, depending on the countertop, you will have to decide whether you want a drop-in or under mount. A drop-in, as the name implies, is lowered right into a hole in the counter and rests, via a lip, in the hole. An under mount is mounted from beneath until it sits flush beneath the hole. This fit requires precision cutting. In addition, you’ll need a waterproof countertop to match with an under mount, which is an important reason that the counter must be chosen before the sink.
Many people who decide upon a drop mount go with a stainless steel sink, although under mount models are available. Stainless steel can be noisy, and neither thickness nor sound-absorbing spray is as effective as sound absorbing pads in reducing the sound. You can choose either mirror, satin, or brushed finish for stainless steel, although the mirror finish does show every drop and splash, so you may want to go with something less revealing.
Copper is another metal choice, and, while high-end, it appears quaint at first sight. It’s a durable metal, rust resistant and microbial. Although copper can be fussy about chemicals, it features an interesting and ever-changing patina. Take care to get a high grade (99%) of copper, 14-18 gauge, and be aware it doesn’t like drain cleaners and other chemicals. So, take your lifestyle into consideration before choosing copper.
Composite granite or quartz of the same material as the counter produces a sleek, seamless-looking unit in the kitchen, although you’ll probably want a pro to install it, because these materials can crack if it is damaged in transit. While these are softer than stainless or glass, the effect is stunning. It comes in neutral and darker shades, which can match the counter to perfection, or make a bold statement. This option also doesn’t have the lip that a drop in has, or the joint that an under mount has, so it can’t hide dirt, food debris, and mold.
Other options are glass, which is beautiful, but fragile if a pointed object hits it just right. Fireclay or cast iron are some options if you want a white sink.
Another thing you have to keep in mind is whether you want a single or double sink, and what kind of faucet will serve your needs the best. The options will seem endless until you look at your own needs. We are here to help if you have questions.
