Beginners Guide to Farmhouse or Apron-Front Sinks

In recent years, the sink is now often used as a prominent and stylish design feature in many kitchens. Apron front or Farmhouse sinks are a timeless addition to any kitchen and although they have been around for decades, the farmhouse craze has boosted their recent popularity. While they are a great combination of style and function with old-world charm, there are a few important things you should keep in mind before purchasing and installing your dream farmhouse sink!

Humble, Hardworking, and Heavy

These deep, wide basins are capable of catering to those family gatherings with numerous dishes or acting as a mini bathtub for baby washing. 

Developed before running water even existed, farmhouse sinks were designed to be large and deep to hold an ample amount of water. The sinks were used not only for cleaning kitchenware but were also used for washing garments and even bathing small children. They were also designed for comfort. Eliminating the front of the countertop and cabinetry to bring the sink closer to you allows the sink to be used without having to bend as much. 

Consider Your Cabinets

A sink’s true size and weight need to be considered when ordering cabinets, so we recommend you settle on the sink first then order your cabinets. Your farmhouse sink will be fully supported by the base cabinet that it rests on so when you are selecting or designing, a base cabinet for your new farmhouse sink, the size of the base cabinet must be correct. But how do you know what size to get? Knowing how you are going to use the kitchen sink is the key to determining the length that you are going to go with. Think about the size of the sink that you are replacing and how it was used – was it big enough, or was it too small?

You don’t necessarily need to purchase a special cabinet for your new farmhouse sink, but you do need to make sure your cabinet is structurally sound enough to support the full weight of the sink. These sinks can be very heavy and will get even heavier when in use. Without the proper support or if the installation is done poorly, you risk the chance of the sink cracking or even collapsing through the base cabinet.

Keep in mind that farmhouse sinks have a deep front apron that hangs over the edge of the cabinetry. The full height of the apron is usually around 10″. However, retrofit farmhouse sinks have a shorter apron to better fit into existing cabinetry, making them ideal if you aren’t replacing or getting custom cabinetry.

Materials Matter

Farmhouse sinks are so widely popular because they can complement any décor. Most of the style comes from the material, color, and face of the sink. It’s important to consider how often and for which purposes you will use the sink. Are you looking for a more natural material that can resist bacteria or do you need something that saves time when it comes to cleaning? The most common material options would be Cast Iron, Fireclay, Stainless Steel, Copper, or Silgranit Composite.

STAINLESS STEEL

Often the top choice for undermount and drop-in sinks, stainless steel is becoming an increasingly popular choice for farmhouse sinks as well. While they are more resistant to chipping and cracking, this material is suspectable to rust over time. There is a wide variety of apron front design available.

FIRECLAY

Fireclay is the most commonly used material for farmhouse sinks today. Their smooth, high gloss finish acts as a barrier against rust, chipping, discoloration, and staining. However even though they require less maintenance, these sinks can be extremely heavy weighting anywhere from 100-300 pounds depending upon their size and depth. It can be found in a wide variety of warm neutral tones like a white, biscuit, or beige to darker shades such as black, grey, or blue. For everyday day dirt and stains, we recommend a mild dish soap or detergent with warm water and use of a soft cloth to remove normal dirt and stains. Do not use materials such as scouring pads, steel wool, abrasive powder or liquid cleaners when cleaning sink surfaces as this can lead to scratching.

SILGRANIT COMPOSITE

Silgranit is an extremely durable composite material made up of 80% natural granite. These sinks come in a variety of colors and designs that resists chips and stains in the hardest working area of your home! They are also made to be easy to clean material with a repellent nonporous surface, which acts as a shield against dirt and bacteria to reduce bacterial growth by an average of 98%. Clean-up is a breeze because harsh chemicals are not needed for keeping your sink clean.

CAST IRON

Cast Iron is one of the oldest materials used for kitchen sinks and is popular for its low maintenance, durability, and smooth glossy look. The body is made of solid cast iron, coated with a hard layer of porcelain enamel. Commonly available in white, however other neutral, cool, and warm colors can be found.

COPPER

This trendy material is recently popping up as accents in kitchens and is a homeowner favorite because it adds a touch of antique glam with its patina over time and due to its natural antimicrobial properties, that kill off harmful bacteria.

In Conclusion

The functional advantage of apron-front sinks is that they can be configured to be utilized in a wide variety of spaces, from huge professional kitchens to the smallest wet bar. Compared to other sinks, farmhouse sinks tend to be a great deal larger, so it is important to find the correct size for your kitchen based on the measurements of your kitchen. You may need to remove and replace countertops and remodel part of your kitchen to make the sink fit. Stone, concrete and fireclay farmhouse sinks can be very heavy and when filled with water can weigh around 300 pounds! Make sure you order or build up your base cabinets so that they can support the weight.