Granite composite definitely holds up better than I expected, but I’m still a little wary. Had a call last winter—tenant dropped a cast iron pan and chipped the corner clean off. Not a huge piece, but enough to notice. Never seen that with stainless, just dents and scratches.
I get what you’re saying about water spots though. Stainless sinks in rentals always look tired after a year or two, no matter how much you spend. But I do wonder about long-term durability with composites... especially if folks are rough on them. Anyone else run into chipping or cracking? Or maybe I just got unlucky with that one install.
Price-wise, $180 for a composite is solid. Last time I replaced a stainless it was closer to $250, and it still looked beat up after six months. Guess there’s always some trade-off—just depends what kind of abuse you expect from your tenants.
Kitchen Sink Money Drain: How Much Did You Spend Replacing Yours?
That’s actually super helpful to hear, since I was debating between stainless and composite for my place. I’ve heard the same about chipping with granite composites—it’s sturdy, but maybe not as forgiving if you drop something heavy. Honestly, I’m kind of clumsy, so that worries me a bit. Stainless gets those annoying water spots and scratches, but at least it doesn’t really break, right? Still, $180 is a steal compared to what I’ve seen lately… Maybe it just comes down to whether you want something that looks nice longer or can take a beating.
Yeah, I’ve seen the same thing with granite composite—looks great, but if you drop a pan or something heavy, there’s a good chance it’ll chip. Stainless is definitely more forgiving for clumsy moments. The scratches and water spots are annoying, but honestly, after a while you just stop noticing them. $180 is a solid price these days... I’ve seen some go for double that. If durability’s your main concern, stainless usually wins out, even if it doesn’t stay looking perfect forever.
Stainless is definitely more forgiving for clumsy moments. The scratches and water spots are annoying, but honestly, after a while you just stop noticing them.
I totally get the appeal of granite composite, but honestly, I’d rather deal with a few scratches than worry about a cracked sink if my kid drops something heavy. $180 is a steal compared to what I’ve seen, but I’d still go stainless for peace of mind. Safety and durability just matter more to me than looks, especially with kids running around.
Stainless really is the workhorse of kitchen sinks. I’ve seen folks try to baby their granite composite, but one dropped cast iron pan and you’re looking at a spiderweb crack or worse. Stainless might get a little banged up, but it’s like that old pickup truck—keeps going no matter what you throw at it (or in it).
Water spots and scratches are just part of the charm after a while. If they bother you, a quick buff with some Bar Keepers Friend does wonders. I’ve even seen people use car wax to help repel water spots, though I’d double-check it’s food safe before going wild with that trick.
$180 for a decent stainless sink is a bargain these days. Installation can be another story, but if you’re handy and have a buddy to help lift, it’s not too bad. Just make sure to check your plumbing connections twice—nobody wants a surprise leak under the cabinet.
