There is no mention in any of their specs about how they ensure that water does not pass through the stone. “Sealer” does not make any stone waterproof. It’s merely a stain deterrent that buys you time to clean up the offender.

All stone is porous, marble, limestone, and onyx more so than granite, but granite is porous too. Some stone sinks have an exterior resin coating to keep the water that passes through them from contacting the wood of the sink base and causing moisture damage. There is nothing in any of their information that mentions that. I’d ask. If it has no actual resin coating between the stone and the wood, then you may want to apply a resin coating yourself. Or you may want to consider another material that is nonporous.

The other issue with a porous stone with near constant water saturation is the bacteria and mold that can grow in it due to that water saturation. The pink slime molds, like are commonly found in showers and toilets, are especially drawn to situations like that. If you look at their care and cleaning guide, only pH neutral stone cleaners are allowed. No bleach, or vinegar. They may allow a peroxide cleaning type solution or a quaternary ammonia based sanitizer. Again, that is a question to ask about. If you don’t find their explanation to be satisfactory, then possibly consider other materials.

If you are choosing a marble, limestone, or onyx stone sink, also be aware that acids of any kind will etch it. A glass of soda. The remains of the tomato soup. Your acid water. Etching is a slight dissolving of the stone. Sealers will not prevent etching. Etching will give it a well loved and lived in used appearance, which is if that’s what you’re looking for, great! If that gives you pause, then pause again.

A sink is the most used appliance in a kitchen. It should be able to resist boiling water poured into it, and acid based food contact, and you should have no fears about washing raw meat in it. All of those are issues in a stone sink.

Just the name of the product would deter me. Can't figure out if it is descriptive, deceptive, misguiding, or deserving. Farmhouse. Forest. Granite. Sink. Stone. A conglomeration of words meant to entice the HGTV viewer and confuse the architect.

The specs say it weighs 300 lbs. Please give your contractor a heads up about that, and let us know what he says.

The appearance isn't to my taste. What about it appeals to you?

Marble is just as porous and etchable as concrete. The old basement concrete sinks were on metal stands for a reason. If you have iron in your water, the rust deposits will just kill you. You can’t use any type of rust remover with any of the stone sinks.

Suzanne - Thanks so much for the picture and sharing your first hand experience. Your powder room is beautiful! I've spoken with several other homeowners who have installed Stone Forest products and they have all spoken highly of the quality and durability and that includes those who have the kitchen sinks. Hope you enjoy it and your new home for years to come.

Cook's Kitchen - Many thanks for suggested questions to ask and specs to confirm.

Mark - Not an HGTV viewer myself. In fact, we don't own a TV. I'm neither swayed nor deterred by a company name, simply appreciate beautiful, handmade, quality, natural objects.

Andi G - Just fyi, the sink is granite, not marble. We are building on land that will have a well, but in a development known for its clean water. We specifically chose not to buy or build in an area that is known as "Heartbreak Ridge" by the local well drillers and most definitely would have water prone to developing rust on sink basins of any type.

Shannon_WI - The contractor on the interior is my husband. The cabinet maker is a good friend who has been doing custom cabinetry for 35 years. It is a new build and of course, the cabinetry plan would be designed to accommodate the weight it needs to support.

It’s a dish breaker. Knock a wine glass over and that will break too. Metal is a little kinder to dishes and glasses, and hopefully you are not as klutzy as me.

I don't have that type of sink but I do have that type/color of granite with the rough edge on my bathroom counters. I believe it is called a chiseled edge. We had it done extra smooth right in front of the sinks so as not to snag clothes. Love the look and it is no problem with upkeep in the bathroom. But i wouldn't want it in the kitchen. Too hard to clean with the inevitable grease, food etc splashes and splatters. I couldn't remember the name of the edging so looked it up and found this thread that you may want to read through.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2626688/chiseled-granite

The chiseled front of the pictured sink will be a stained contaminated mess in short order.

“All stone is porous....”

Cook‘s Kitchen...not so. Soapstone is NOT porous. Over the past 8+ years, many contributors to this forum have installed soapstone sinks. Soapstone neither etches or stains. It‘s perfect material for counters (which I have), and sinks. As long you get a hard variety, it will look good forever.

The sink might as well be out of kitchen sponges, except you can use bleach with them. There’s a complete mental disconnect between something decorative and something functional to even design such a thing. To willfully use it? Salmonella central.

Joe Corlett pic.