Also known as an apron sink, a farmhouse-style sink features a deep basin and an exposed front that sits flush with your cabinets and countertops. With a touch of country charm, this type of sink offers a number of functional benefits that make it a great choice for many kitchens.
Size. If you are concerned about wasting water, look for a farmhouse sink that has a smaller capacity. The depth of the traditional farmhouse sink is great for washing big items, but it means to fill it you'll need a lot more water than for a typical sink.
Farmhouse sinks are generally very large, with the design intended for those without running water, able to store water on one side while the other allowed for multi-purpose use such as washing laundry, kitchen duties and even washing children.
But what actually makes a sink considered “farmhouse” style? The TLDR definition of a farmhouse sink is “a deep sink that has an exposed front-facing side.” Thesaurus may also refer to it as an “apron front” sink – which, in our opinion, is the best description as it literally acts like an apron as you wash.
However, there are some key differences between the two types of sinks. Apron sinks are generally smaller than farmhouse sinks. They are available in various materials, including stainless steel, copper, and porcelain. Apron sinks are available in different styles, including single-bowl and double-bowl options.
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.
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.
In most cases, you can use the stainless steel drain attachments that come with the garbage disposal unit. Farm sinks have a standard 3 1/2" drain opening, hence, you will not need to purchase anything in addition.
Most farmhouse sinks are durable but they can also become chipped, scratched, or stained if not taken care of. Here are some tips we recommend. Use a sink grid to protect the bottom to prevent any scratches from heavy pots & pans. Use a non-abrasive cleaner and microfiber cloth to buff out any small nicks in the sink.
The primary benefit of a grid for new farmhouse sinks is to protect the brand new finish. Fresh copper and even hardened fireclay scratch more easily than you might realize. The metal bottom of pots, the metal tines of forks, and even the scrape of ceramic plate edges might cause a small flaw in the finish.
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 Copper Color
A copper sink isn't something you see every day. This goes to show that a farmhouse sink doesn't have to be boring white colors – you can add some flair! White, off white, cream, copper, black, gray, and sometimes even light blue are the typical varieties of colors you'll see in a farmhouse sink.
It's no surprise that due to its functional design and timeless and elegant appeal that the fireclay farmhouse sink has made a resurgence among homeowners in America too. Thanks to Joanna Gaines, the fireclay farmhouse sink has gained added popularity and has become a favorite feature in new home kitchens today.
The two top contenders are either a enamel-coated cast iron or a fireclay apron sink. Both are very strong materials, and both have been used for hundreds of years to make not only sinks but also structural building materials and tools for extreme temperatures.
Stainless Steel Sinks
One can't go wrong with a good quality stainless steel sink as they are durable, strong, efficient and easy to clean. Professional and heavy duty kitchens always opt for a stainless steel sink as they are durable and can tolerate quite a bit of abuse.
2. Farmhouse sinks (+26 percent) Porcelain, apron-front sinks are a splurge kitchen choice for sure—but apparently they pay you back big-time in the long run.
In conclusion, if you would like a cost effective coloured sink you might want to look into the granite sink ranges. If you are looking for an easy to clean, premium material you would want to look into a fine fireclay sink. We hope that gives you an insight into the features and benefits of each type of material.
Can you use bleach on a farmhouse sink? You sure can, as long as it's well diluted with water, and it won't hurt a thing. And it's great (as we will see in a minute) for disinfecting the drain, garbage disposal, and sink grid (if you have one).
Placing hot pots or pans directly into the sink could cause damage to the sink. and nicks in the sink from daily use. Avoid pouring boiling water into sink. Run cold water if hot liquids are poured into sink.
Compared to other ceramic-style sinks, fireclay is incredibly durable and resistant. It's hard to break or nick a fireclay sink. The downside is that the fireclay material can show surface scratches, especially if an object creates a hard impact.
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 make space for the extra-large sink, you'll need an 'apron-skirt' cabinet design. A farmhouse sink can't fit into the usual drop-in sink space and extends over the top quarter of the lower cabinet. This requires a full re-design of the cabinet and countertop where your farmhouse sink is installed.
Your existing cabinets should be strong enough that they can easily bear the weight and size and can comfortably accommodate the new sink. However, if you follow the right steps and instructions, you can easily install a farmhouse sink in your existing cabinets without even some professional assistance.