How To Choose A Farmhouse Sink

If you’re in the market for a new sink and have a little bit of flexibility in the dimensions, capacity and cost for your kitchen sink selection, you might want to consider a farmhouse sink (a.k.a. apron-front sink) for your new home or to replace your old kitchen sink.

If there is one sink that I had to choose from amongst all of the types of kitchen sinks available, it would be a farmhouse sink. The simplicity of a single, deep sink is very attractive and is the key element in the design.

It’s hard to imagine the humble beginnings of such a utilitarian plumbing device that would one day become one of the most sought-after kitchen plumbing fixtures for upscale homes.

Obviously, you don’t need to have an upscale home to enjoy the benefits of a farmhouse sink.

That just happens to be the type of new homes that I see them in most of the time.

 

Farmhouse Sinks Take Up Space!

Yep…farmhouse sinks are plenty deep.

That translates into lost space below the sink.

Plan on as little as 12″ in height of free space under your new farmhouse sink.

You might just as well consider relocating everything that is currently under your old sink to a new location to make room for the new apron-front sink.

 

Selecting The Best Sink

There are a number of factors that will ultimately determine which type of sink is best suited for your needs and wants.

This Sink Selection Guide will help you decide what is best for your particular situation.

 

Farmhouse Sinks Require Proper Bracing

You can’t just put a 100 lb. sink where your old 20-30 pound sink used to be without framing modifications and expect it to be stable.

You’ve got to bolster the framework surrounding the sink based upon the dimensions and weight.

You’ll need to consult the manufacturers’ installation instructions and/or your contractor to ensure proper bracing is built into the framework of the counter.

Here is a little bit of instruction on how to support your sink.

 

Apron-Front Sink Placement

Deciding how much the sink will protrude above the counter and in front of the counter are decisions that you will need to make prior to installation.

You have 2 options:

• Have your sink installed in the upmounted position. That is when the rim sticks up over the counter and is caulked on the outside of the sink. You can see the entire profile of the sink itself.
• Have your sink mounted in the undermount position where the rim of the sink is mounted under the bottom surface of the counter.

 

Another consideration is the reveal. That is how far forward the counter will protrude from the vertical front of your counter.

You may choose between:

• Positive reveal: Most of the top flat edge is showing.
• Neutral reveal: The inside of the sink sits flush with the vertical edge of the counter.
• Negative reveal: The countertop covers the entire top edge of the sink.

In the end, farmhouse sink placement is simply a matter of personal preference.

 

Choosing The Type of Material For Your Farmhouse Sink

You’ve got quite a few choices when it comes to farmhouse sinks:

• Fireclay
• Copper
• Vitreous China
• Stainless Steel
• Slate
• Granite
• Soapstone
• Acrylic
• Fiberglass
• Enamel over Cast Iron
• Porcelain

You also need to decide on 1 basin or 2 basins for your new sink.

Choose wisely. The type of farmhouse sink you choose will probably last the life of the house.

 

photo via kitchenbathideas
sources: KitchenBathIdeas, Kohler, HubPages, iVillage GardenWeb, Woodweb