Sparkling, I suspect it's easier to replace a non-undermounted sink, since you can lift it out rather than having to undo some cabinetry and cut/slide it out. But it depends on how it's built in to the cabinet, I believe. Caveat: the Donsjo is so easy to use as an overmount because you just need two straight edges of counter on each side; note that you'd have to find a similar model sink for replacement, and not just any drop-in topmount. Most require a square/oval cutout. Also note that undermounting it would make it a farther reach to the bottom. Up to you whether that's good or bad. I will say that this is a more crucial consideration than I'd realized, and because we didn't like the depth of our last farm sink when undermounted - it was 9" deep + 2" of counter, simply too deep to be comfortable) we are now looking for a shallower version for the new kitchen.

I picked the Shaw but I think the Franke looks just as nice. Our marble installer cracked the sink during the install. This whole sad saga is described in other threads. But the point here is that Rohl replaced it, even though I told them exactly what happened. They still called it a "thermal crack" and replaced it. I was totally surprised at this decision on Rohl's part. Another little factotum about the Shaw's sink (the 30 --this might not apply to you if you get the 36) -- the sink's drain has a left hand offset. At least most of them do. About one or two in ten have a right hand offset and these are sent out "randomly." Don't ask me how I know. The sink now installed in our kitchen is not the second, but the third sink that has been sent to us. Now, the downside is that the Shaw sinks do vary a bit and so the new sink did not exactly match the first sink, the one upon which the marble was templated. I'm thrilled that we -- I should say DH, who has pulled many a miracle in this kitchen -- was able to get the old one out and the new one in without perturbing cabinets or marble that were now firmly in place. The margins around the sink are not exactly even. I've decided it will just be a reminder about the hubris of desiring perfection and have moved on. Just a couple of things to know about Rohl and Shaw's sinks, the good and the, well, idiosyncratic.

I too am very disappointed, having the same issues with my Shaw; chips, hairline type cracks under(crazing) and doesnt drain properly. One section of the sink creates a little pool that keeps the water from draining, although the sink is level. We have a metal grid, but chips were developing even with that. I rarely use it now because it is too difficult to get the water and debris from under it. Bar keepers Friend is helpful. I occasionally make a little paste and let it sit a few minutes before wiping-I find the powder and liquid to be great. Also Mr. Clean Magic eraser is very helpful especially on the grey surface cracks and around drain. Love the look, but this has been frustrating. I've had it since around 2009 I got no help from the manufacturer.

Hi mariofo, We just bought a Stone Forest 33" granite sink for a kitchen project from Sinks Gallery (SinksGallery.com) that arrived yesterday. We liked the "rough" apron front and thought it would work well for our project. It looks far better in person than it did from the photos! We did a lot of research before purchasing and decided that the Silgranite sinks looked too "plastic-like" or fake for our tastes. We were concerned about the upkeep, but ultimately realized that a sink takes no more abuse than a granite countertop and that many products existed to seal or clean. ...frankly, from what I have learned, the care & maintenance is pretty simple - soap and water on a daily basis and very occassionally a seal or cleaning using standard products used for granite countertops. These sinks are heavy - but that was part of the appeal to us. The sink will probably far outlast the house! ...and the natural look of stone is very cool - WAY better than silgranite IMHO. Good luck! PS - I have included a link to the sink that we bought. There are a lot less expensive ones sold by this company (also check out StoneSinksOnline.com) but we really liked the tones in the apron front of this particular sink. Here is a link that might be useful: 33