However, a standard sink base cabinet can be modified to fit a farmhouse sink. If you are using a standard sink base cabinet, the top half of the cabinet will have to be cut out, and the doors will have to be modified.
Unlike regular “drop-in” sinks, which are lowered into a countertop cavity, farmhouse sinks are installed beneath the counter and rest on top of a base cabinet. They, therefore, require a special cabinet configuration, but it's entirely possible to convert an existing drop-in setup to accommodate a farmhouse sink.
Yes, you definitely can! Something you should keep in mind, though, is you'll have to cut out the front of the cabinet and remove the counter top prior to farm sink installation. If you want to make the job easier, consider getting a retrofit farmhouse sink, which is meant for a standard kitchen sink base.
No matter what you do, you will most likely need a special or custom cabinet to accommodate your new farmhouse or apron sink. This is because there are many styles of sink designs and how they need to be installed, typically requires a non-standard cabinet. The two most common types are Drop-in or Undermount.
To replace the old drop-in sink with a farmhouse sink, we cut the cabinets to fit the apron front and then added filler wood to the sides. We only needed two new drawers and two smaller cabinet doors to retro-fit the old cabinets. An easy fix!
When selecting, or designing, a base cabinet for your new farmhouse sink, it is important that the size of the base cabinet is correct. Your base cabinet should measure 3" longer in length than the sink you are installing. For example, if you have a base cabinet that measures 36" wide it will support a 33" sink.
It is recommended that your base cabinet be 3 inches larger than the size of the farmhouse sink you are considering to install.
A farmhouse sink needs supports attached to the inside of the cabinet because it's heavy. Some can weigh over 300 pounds when filled with water. The top of the sink needs to be even with the cabinets so the counter will sit correctly. Measure the thickness of the sink and transfer that to the cabinet walls.
Both types of sinks are huge, large, and quite deep. However, the apron sink's front area is exposed and visible- which is why they are called apron sinks. These are versatile and modern houses prefer apron sinks. But on the other side, farmhouse sinks look adjacent as well as covered by the kitchen cabinets.
A 36" sink will fit into a 36" cabinet easily if you strap it in place. Manufacturer's allow for chubby plumber fingers to access clips to tighten.
The shape gives this design more of a compact space, allowing drop-in farmhouse sinks to be available in single, double or even triple bowl styles. However, since these sinks are dropped in, additional supports should be placed to reinforce the sink as it does not have a wall anchor.
Farmhouse-Style Sinks with Quartz Countertops
Cambria surfaces are durable—more durable than marble or granite countertops—so they're the perfect choice to handle the needs of a farmhouse sink installation.
By its nature, a farmhouse sink involves more than a traditional unit, and the price difference is justified. These larger, deeper, more statement fixtures are often made with more expensive materials, such as fireclay or copper.
Many retrofit sinks are designed to have the apron slide over the face frame of the cabinet, versus having to be cut into the cabinet. This can allow for easier installation and helps to keep the structure of your cabinet intact so it can support the weight of the sink.
A polished marble farmhouse sink adds a luxurious look to a kitchen, but it comes at a higher price and will need to be resealed every few years.
A farmhouse sink makes it easy to wash larger items like pots, pans, and baking sheets. You can easily soak your cookware in a farmhouse style sink as opposed to a standard-sized sink. It's also a great option if you prefer to soak a lot of dishes at once before you wash them or pop them in the dishwasher.
Many farmhouse kitchen sinks are a yard wide, and some are as wide as two normal sinks. While all of this space allows versatility in functionality, it promotes more water wastage, especially if you fill up the sink to anywhere near capacity.
With an apron sink, you can keep much of this mess at bay. If any water, suds, or spills make their way over the front lip, they'll avoid your counter and cabinets, landing on the floor instead. This is because the sink itself sticks out beyond the depth of your cabinets.
A good place to start when looking for the right size is with the most popular sizes for farmhouse sinks, small, medium, and large. Or the most common, either a 30″ or 33″ single bowl.
The most popular farmhouse sinks are undermount style, which, as the name implies, means they nestle under the countertop (not on top of), creating a seamless countertop edge surrounding the basin.
Kohler makes farmhouse sinks with smaller aprons to keep the same aesthetic in a more manageable size for some cabinets. In most new homes the kitchen sink is approximately 30 inches in length, which is a standard size for a farmhouse sink. The other standard sizes are 24, 33, and 36 inches.
Base cabinets are usually shorter than sink base cabinets, and they don't have a built-in sink. Sink base cabinets, on the other hand, are designed to accommodate a kitchen sink. They're also often deeper than base cabinets, giving you more storage space for larger items.
OVERHANG - The countertop extends over the edge of the sink on all sides by approximately 1/8" - 1/4". Use caution with this installation to be sure that accessories such as colanders or cutting boards will fit properly. REVEAL - The countertop edge sits approximately 1/8" - 1/4" back from the edgeof the sink rim.