My sink is silgranit too but not Blanco…and I love it!
Re: sealing granite
Granites vary in their porosity, plus each mineral in the granite has different strengths, plus there are sometimes beautiful cracks and voids that were re-mineralized during the millennia with different minerals that react to acids and caustic cleaners differently than than the main body of the stone.
When you go to the stone yard, or when your counters are installed, feel around the edges. Look at the underside. Many, many granites are coated with a resin at the quarry or importer. You can see it and feel it. The fancier the stone, the more likely this has happened for logistical reasons - it keeps the slab intact. It’s a good thing. You don’t need to seal, like ever.
Sorry, my inner geologist got away from me.
We are in the midst of a complete home remodel and I’m still trying to make my final decision about the kitchen counter. We are just finishing the master bath where we used rainforest green granite and I love it so much that I am considering using it in the kitchen. I have already purchased a Blanco single Silgranit sink (got a great deal on-line for a Memorial Day sale) and I love the look. I love all of the ideas here!!!
@dragonmom – no apologies needed for the geology explanation.
I figured there had to have been some reason that I have gotten away with not sealing my countertops for twenty years.
Would sealing have prevented the slight pitting I had in the daily work area? Total countertops were perhaps 90 sq feet of stone and the pitted area is perhaps 18 inches by 18 inches, max.
The only other real damage is the nicks caused by whacking a heavy Pyrex dish against the sink edges or on the way to the dishwasher.
@dragonmom, thanks for the interesting geology lesson!
For any who might be interested, this site has a 2 1/2 minute video at the bottom of the page, showing the durability of silgranit.
@takeitallin - on what site did you find the sink? Holidays are coming up!
Does anyone worry about the radon/radioactive issues w/ granite? I’m replacing Ubatuba with a Netuno Bordeaux which is much lighter with gray and brown and cream colors and a lot of movement in the pattern…darker colors supposedly don’t carry/hold as much radiation -trying to decide if I need to buy a geiger counter to take to the stone yard.
I also am looking at the silgranite sink - dark gray and replacing my black appliances with black stainless steel. I have no idea what to do with the backsplash…too expensive to use the same granite so thinking about removing existing tile and just painting a complimentary color in the granite.
You can find the sinks on Amazon…read the reviews…there are some that really don’t like them as much as many really do like them.
@onward- sorry this is so late. I got my Blanco Silgranit Précis 1 bowl “super sink” on line thru Home Perfect. It was substantially less than elsewhere over Memorial Day but right now is about the same. Just google for sales. I ended up pairing my gray sink with rainforest green granite and I love it. Both are maintenance free and look great.
No problem, @takeitallin - I move very slowly on these things. I am still getting quotes. I am pretty sure I am going with Blue Pearl granite now. I’ve decided that I don’t want a granite back splash and will remove my current tile back splash as it won’t work well with the granite. I think I really want the blanco sink. I have hated my swanstone sink for many years and I really want a nice sink. I will check out Home Perfect as Labor Day sales are coming up!
@onward - I’m excited to hear you are looking at the Blanco Silgranit line. FWIW, I chose the large single with the drain on one side. You can get them so that the drains/disposals are in the middle of the basin, but I really like having it on the side so I can have a pile of dishes in there and still have access to the disposal.
It’s been three or four months now and I’ve never needed to scrub my sink! Just a simple wiping has done the trick and it looks beautiful.