Because farmhouse sinks tend to be deeper and wider than your average sink, they offer more room, making them a great option for larger families and for washing more sizable plates, pots, and pans.
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.
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.
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.
They, therefore, require a special cabinet configuration, but it's entirely possible to convert an existing drop-in setup to accommodate a farmhouse sink. You'll want to choose a sink that is a few inches smaller in width than the cabinet so that there is cabinet trim on either side of the sink.
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.
Tips before Installation. Most farmhouse sinks also commonly known as apron-front sinks can easily replace your current kitchen sink owing to the similarities in size and the option to just slide it in after removing the old sink. However, closed counter cabinets would require some more time and effort.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fireclay Sinks
These sinks are extremely popular these days and understandably so. Fireclay is made when clay and glaze are fused together at extremely high temperatures. This creates a highly durable material that is hard and resistant to chips and cracks.
The Porcelain Will Get Stained (and Potentially Chipped)
If you opt for a classic white porcelain farmhouse sink, it's very likely to get stained, and it will require regular cleaning to keep it sparkling.
A typical 33 x 22-inch sink will fill a 36-inch base cabinet. If you're replacing a sink, make sure it fits the existing cutout. If the cabinet allows, you may be able to install a larger sink by expanding the cutout. A farmhouse sink may require a special cabinet size.
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).
The SECRET to cleaning a fireclay sink is to clean with a scrub sponge and Bar Keepers Friend which is a powdered cleanser and to use a Magic Eraser. The Magic Eraser is a game changer! My farmhouse sink receives a few small black marks due to metal scrapes.
Clean the sink on a regular basis with mild cleaners and a soft cloth. Dry your sink with a soft cloth to prevent water spotting. Scrape off heavier gunk with a plastic spatula or scrub it off with a Breeze scrubber. Use baking soda (or even a mild abrasive cleaner) to clean off crusted on gunk.
Fireclay, which is a ceramic material made by mixing clay and glaze, can crack or chip if you drop something heavy on it, but it takes more force to do damage.
Don't think farm-style sinks only fit in farmhouse-style kitchens! Farm sinks can go modern or traditional when styled in either aesthetic. They look great in any type of home, even a minimalist one. Don't think you have to go literally rustic with an all-wood kitchen look to use a farmhouse sink.
These sinks were common in rural homes, giving them their original name of farmhouse. People took water for bathing, cleaning, as well as for washing clothes and dishes from these basins, making farmhouse sinks a central feature in the late 17th and 18th century homes throughout Europe.
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.
Apron sinks, also known as farmhouse sinks, were often found in rural homes in decades past. The original design considered the comfort of women who spent long, long hours at the sink. It was important to them not to have to bend over.