"Faucets were another shocker; I swear some of them cost more than my first car did."
Haha, seriously...I've seen faucets that made me wonder if they're secretly gold-plated inside. Stainless undermount sinks are honestly a solid choice—easy to clean and pretty durable. Curious though, did anyone here try one of those composite granite sinks? I've installed a couple for clients recently, and they seem promising, but I'm not sure how they hold up long-term.
"Curious though, did anyone here try one of those composite granite sinks? I've installed a couple for clients recently, and they seem promising, but I'm not sure how they hold up long-term."
Funny you mention composite granite sinks—I installed one in my own kitchen about three years ago. Honestly, I was pretty skeptical at first (old habits die hard, stainless steel was always my go-to), but I figured I'd test it out myself before recommending it to clients. Installation was straightforward enough, just make sure you reinforce the cabinet underneath because these things are heavier than your typical stainless sink.
So far, durability-wise, it's held up surprisingly well. No scratches or chips yet, and it cleans up easily with mild soap and water. But one thing I've noticed is that lighter colors can stain if you're not careful—coffee or red wine spills need quick attention. Darker colors seem to hide stains better.
Still cautious about recommending them universally though... longevity is key, and I'd like to see how mine holds up after another few years before fully endorsing them.
I've had a composite granite sink in my kitchen going on five years now, and I'd mostly echo your sentiments. The durability is definitely there—mine's survived dropped pans, utensils, even the occasional wrench during emergency plumbing fixes. But you're spot on about the staining:
"lighter colors can stain if you're not careful—coffee or red wine spills need quick attention."
I learned that the hard way when a forgotten tea bag left a faint mark. Nothing major, but dark colors probably are safer bets long-term. Still, overall pretty satisfied.
Interesting points about composite granite sinks, but I'm not entirely convinced they're the best long-term option. I've had stainless steel sinks in several rental properties for over a decade now, and they've held up remarkably well without any staining issues. Sure, they can scratch or dent if you're careless, but those marks tend to blend in over time and become less noticeable. Plus, stainless steel is generally easier to clean and sanitize thoroughly—important if you're renting out to tenants who might not be as meticulous about maintenance.
Have you considered stainless as an alternative? I get the appeal of composite granite aesthetically, but from a purely practical standpoint, stainless steel might still have the edge. Just curious if anyone else has had similar experiences or maybe found another material that's both durable and stain-resistant...
We went composite granite a few years back because my wife loved the look, and honestly...it's been fine. But gotta admit, stainless steel at our old place was way easier to keep clean—plus cheaper. If I did it again, I'd probably stick with stainless.
