Your Modern Farmhouse

 The Pros and Cons of a Farmhouse Sink

What is a farmhouse sink? A farmhouse sink has a deep, wide basin with an apron front that goes beyond the countertop and cabinets. These stylistic sinks originated in the British Isles and bring a unique look to the kitchen as well as added benefits for cooking and cleaning. Let’s explore both the pros and the cons of this popular style.  

Pros

Lots of Materials
Fireclay - When it comes to the farmhouse look, fireclay is the most common material. This porcelain-looking sink has a beautiful polished style while also being durable. If it does chip or scratch, the interior is also white, so the damage will be less noticeable. Fireclay can also be shaped into molds that give a rounded front.
Cast-iron – This is another option by Kohler that will give you the same look as fireclay. It is priced higher than fireclay because it is baked for 48 hours to make the material extremely durable. It is also very, very heavy. Cast-iron comes in a variety of colors. While it is very durable, it has a black interior that will show if it does chip.
Stainless Steel – Some companies also make stainless steel sinks in farmhouse style, allowing you the chance to have a bit of contemporary in your farmhouse look. This material requires the most care when it comes to appearance because finger prints, water marks, and stains will show. This being said, the shiny steel will often match house appliances, giving your kitchen a unified look.
Composite – This lesser-known material is made of granite and plastic. These sinks from Franke, Elke, and Blanco come in multiple colors, are chip and scratch resistant, can sustain temperatures of over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and are in the middle of the price range. These sinks have a smooth texture and appearance and can fit any style.

Available Accessories
One of the benefits of a farmhouse sink the large basin that can fit big pots and pans. This also allows for several fitted accessories to make cooking and cleaning easier. Since the bottom of farmhouse sinks is sloped nicely for easy draining, almost all sinks come with sink grids that are perfect for washing off fruit and vegetables without leaving them on the sink bottom. Another great feature of this sink style is the option to have a drain board built in to the counter leading to the sink. The water drains right in without leaving a mess. Other accessories include cutting boards and colanders that are perfectly fitted to the sink, so you can do all your cooking and cleaning in one place.

Unique Installation
Installation can be considered a pro or a con, depending on your situation. Because the front of the sink, the apron, is exposed, you have to cut your countertops and the front of your cabinets. The easiest way to have a clean-looking seam is to cut a straight line in the cabinets to fit snug with the side of the sink. Self-trimming sinks have an apron front that extends in front of the cabinets, meaning it completely covers the cabinet edge and mounts on the front of the cabinet. This self-trimming technology from Kohler makes installation a breeze because no lines show. Most farmhouse sink designs are also undermount, meaning they are mounted under the countertop. If your countertops are cut smoothly, this type of installation is simple and very clean.

Cons

Some Sinks Don’t Fit All Cabinets
Farmhouse sinks come in standardized sizes, but your cabinets might require some work if you want to put a large sink in a small or older kitchen. Kohler makes farmhouse sinks with smaller aprons to keep the same aesthetic in a more manageable size for some cabinets. In most new homes the kitchen sink is approximately 30 inches in length, which is a standard size for a farmhouse sink. The other standard sizes are 24, 33, and 36 inches. If these sizes don’t work for your home, another option is to talk to your cabinet maker and see if they can alter your existing cabinets to fit the sink you want.  

Multitasking Can Be Difficult
Lots of space is really nice, but sometimes washing vegetables in a sink with soaking dishes can get messy. The standard single large basin can still manage multiple tasks, but it takes more creativity on the part of the chef. Some farmhouse sinks come with a smart divide, so you can still have the look of the farmhouse sink with the added benefit of having two basins. These low barriers come in a 50/50, 60/40, and 70/30 design, so you can choose how you want to organize your sink. The benefit to the smart dividers is that they’re high enough to separate your tasks, but low enough to still fit large pans in the sink.

When it comes to farmhouse sinks, there are a lot of things to consider. See all of our farmhouse sink options here! http://bit.ly/2FKqscv