There are three sink styles, each with a specific type of installation: top-mount, under-mount and apron-front. Consider your kitchen cabinet size and what kitchen sink installation type will work best with your cabinet configuration.
Types of Farmhouse Sink Installation
A farmhouse sink installation can be done in 3 ways: Flush mount Installation: Where the sink sits in level to the countertop. Built-up Installation: Where the sink sits above the level of the countertop. Undermount Installation: Where the sink sits just below the countertop.
Step 6: Add Support to Cabinets
Because farmhouse sinks are pretty heavy, you'll need to add support to the inside of the cabinet to be able to hold the weight. You can do this by adding two two-by-four pieces of wood to the sides horizontally.
All bench materials can use topmount sinks where the sink is installed above the bench top. Solid surface bench tops can use either undermount sinks, where the sink is installed below the bench top or flushmount sinks, where the sink is installed so that the sink and bench top sit flush.
Often confused with undermount, the main difference is that flushmounts don't have a seam between them and the bench. A helpful way to think of them is as an “integrated sink”. With nowhere for water and debris to get trapped, you will enjoy a very clean environment that's easy to maintain.
TOP MOUNT SINK
One of the disadvantages of this style of sink is the 'lip' it creates on top of the benchtop, meaning you won't be able to wipe directly into the sink. They can also trap crumbs around the edges.
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.
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.
Whether you have a shining copper sink or a gleaming fireclay basin, the most reliable solution is a sink grid placed in the bottom of your Farmhouse sink.
Farmhouse sinks are typically installed undermount and hence, are not compatible with laminate countertops. Look for an over-mount farmhouse sink that could be retrofitted with the cabinets and one that sits on top of the laminate countertop to eliminate the risk of water damage and warping.
The difference between the two styles of sink is simple. Top mount sinks—also called drop-in sinks—have a visible rim around them that holds the sink in place. In contrast, because an undermount sink is installed from underneath the counter, its lip is hidden for a seamless look.
Not all drop-in sinks require clips to lock them down. Some cast iron drop sinks do not require clips since they are much heavier and use the weight of the sink, along with caulk, to make the seal. In some cases, two people are needed during the installation.
Inset sinks are sinks that are installed by being sit on top of the worktop with typically a 5mm lip rising up from the surface. There is an external frame from the bowl and drainer that makes this installation possible. Silicone along the lip is used to keep the frame intact.
Apron sinks are deep cut, like farmhouse sinks. The only difference is, an apron sink's front is exposed. That's why they're also called "apron front" sinks. Modern kitchens use apron sinks as highlight pieces, and for good reason.
The most common countertop overhang is 1.5″. We wanted our sink to go about 1/2″ past the countertop, so we positioned our sink so that it would go 2″ past the cabinet face frame/front of the cabinet.
Undermount sinks can be mounted in two different ways: reveal (showing some of the sink rim) or overhang (shows no sink rim), also referred to as no reveal. It's the remodeler's choice for quartz, solid surface, or natural stone countertop materials because of the clean, uninterrupted feel.
One of the drawbacks of choosing a farmhouse sink is the installation process. Depending on how your kitchen is set up, you may have to alter the size and design of your countertops before the farmhouse sink installation. Farmhouse sinks are much deeper and wider than classic kitchen sinks.
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.
Compared to a standard drop in sink, dual mount sinks often have a lower profile edge which allows it to be flush or nearly flush with the countertop.
Undermount sinks are simply more practical, functional and aesthetically pleasing than overmount sinks. With undermount sinks, it is really easy to wipe food crumbs from the countertops into the kitchen sink. There is no edge, no seam and no calking in the way.
Top-mount sinks offer numerous advantages, including water conservation and greater storage space. There are also some disadvantages to this type of sink, including being harder to clean. Although these downsides aren't enough to make you stray away from choosing a top-mount sink, they are still worth noting.