Apron Sink vs. Farmhouse Sink: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve ever shopped for a kitchen sink and thought about the farmhouse aesthetic, you may have seen “backsplash” and “farmhouse” lumped into one category, combined in product names, or used interchangeably.

Depending on who you ask, be it an interior designer, remodeler or architect, you may get a variety of answers. One of them may be wider or more ergonomic than the other. We’ve written a detailed guide to help you better understand the two types of sinks so you can choose the one that suits your space and kitchen style.

What are they
As the name suggests, an apron sink has an open front rather than being completely hidden by the cabinet that houses it. Think of it as “wearing” an apron or jacket that protrudes slightly from the front of your closet. Extensions outside the cabinet help limit water damage by keeping splashes in the sink or directed toward the floor instead of the cabinet. They are generally larger than most other kitchen sinks, both built-in and built-in.

The farmhouse sink was the predecessor to the apron front sink. This dates back to the days when farms in Ireland and England used kitchen sinks for food preparation and hand washing, so large containers were required.

They are essentially sinks, and later they even combine wall panels and drainage panels to suit different needs. Both have open fronts, but while backsplashes can be made from almost any typical sink material, from stainless steel to engineered stone, traditional farm sinks are often made from baked clay or cast iron with rounded backsplash corners for user convenience. These elements give a farmhouse sink a distinctive vintage and cozy look.

Why They Work

What you lose in countertops and cabinetry, you gain in capacity. This is useful for several reasons: having more wiggle room when preparing or washing up food, washing large kitchen utensils like pots and bakeware, cleaning up after a dinner party, or filling a large kitchen container.

Of course, a pull-out faucet can be useful in some of these situations, but the point is to do it all while minimizing the amount of water, suds, and food spills outside the sink.

A backsplash or farmhouse sink can help relieve stress. Instead of several inches of counter space, you only need to reach the backsplash wall. This eliminates—or at least reduces—the awkward bending or bending when washing dishes.

As mentioned earlier, a backsplash can prevent water damage to your cabinets. By extending beyond the countertop and cabinet doors, the backsplash can act like an umbrella and push water draining from the sink directly onto the floor rather than onto the door.

Finally, the open front stands out from the rest of the surrounding furniture, which some find aesthetically pleasing.

Why They Don’t Work

Ironically, the size of farmhouse backsplashes and sinks is also their main drawback: Because they are larger in width and depth than a conventional sink, you’ll lose some space on countertops and base cabinets when installing a sink. You have to be willing to give up some space, so be realistic about how you use your kitchen surfaces and storage.

Both sinks tend to be more expensive than regular kitchen sinks. And because of its size and the need to cut out some counters and cabinets (if you plan to keep your existing furniture), installation fees may be higher.

Large sizes, facade finishing, and sometimes materials will make washing more difficult. Some cabinets can’t handle that much weight, so be sure to do your research and calculations before making any decisions.

Moreover, if you keep the existing cabinets, as old cabinets may not be able to support the weight.

Material options
As mentioned earlier, farmhouse sinks are typically made from fired clay or enameled cast iron, although some manufacturers are now using solid surfaces that mimic the look of real fired clay. White fired clay is a popular choice because it is aesthetically pleasing to many homeowners. It has good impact resistance and is easy to clean (however, some harsh chemicals can permanently stain it). Fireclay aprons can be flat and smooth, grooved or decorated in other ways.

A modern take on the farmhouse, apron sinks come in a variety of materials and styles, so you’re sure to find one that matches your kitchen aesthetic. Bronze is a popular choice because of its durability, as well as its vibrant color and natural antibacterial properties. The backsplash can be flat and smooth, curved and smooth, or hammered to create a mottled surface. This material can give a kitchen a rustic yet more upscale look.

The bad news: Copper sinks are some of the most expensive, regardless of style. Copper is also a more brittle metal: for example, prolonged exposure to acidic foods can damage the patina. Similar reactions can occur when exposed to abrasive objects and harsh chemicals, some of which are found in common household cleaning products. Finally, copper may be more susceptible to dents from minor impacts.

Stainless steel is also a good choice and has the same pros and cons as fired clay. With its shine and metallic tones, steel has a very sleek appearance that is more suitable for transitional and modern kitchens. Stainless steel is perhaps the easiest to clean and maintain. Other popular options for apron sinks include cast iron, acrylic and glazed composites.

Installation Styles

Like regular sinks, sinks are available in built-in, wall-mounted and top-mounted versions, with all versions attaching to countertops and cabinets. To do this, you need to apply essential oil regardless of the style. Other advantages and disadvantages of conventional washing mirror the advantages and disadvantages of conventional washing.

Undermount gives your countertop a sleeker, more minimalist look and makes it easier to clean. However, cleaning the inside of a frameless sink, especially between the countertop and the sink, can be challenging. Installation of wall-mounted sinks is also trending downward.

Flush installation has the same benefits as recessed installation, but the advantage is that it does not require the same biohazard concerns since there is no gap between the sink and the countertop. This is almost impossible; you need to be confident in the level of qualifications and accuracy of the installer, since this is the most difficult type of installation. For this reason, it is also one of the cheapest tricks.

The same support is the standard installation method: the smart sink slides outward, forming a perimeter foundation that sits above the counter. It has a more classic look and is suitable for period kitchens. It is also compatible with all countertop materials, including laminate. The best part is that installation is carried out at minimal cost. However, some people really hate the traditional, outdated style of this type of sink, and cleaning up debris between the sink and countertop can be difficult. Failure to clean regularly will result in unsanitary conditions.

The farmhouse sink is actually a little deeper to attack the wall behind it. It mounts to a wall (if there is a matching wall panel) or a corner, both of which provide more support than just a base cabinet. And because it’s wall-mounted or wall-attached, there’s no need to trim the countertop needed to support the sink. Finally, farmhouse sinks have built-in openings in the back to accommodate wall-mounted sprayers or built-in openings in the deck for deck-mounted fixtures.

Should You Get an Apron or Farmhouse Sink?

The bottom line is that farmhouse backsplashes and sinks can be useful and functional in the kitchen, while also adding some aesthetic value. However, you must consider the cost, as well as how the loss of countertops and base cabinets will affect you and others in the home.

If you’re using a backsplash sink, you’ll need to figure out whether your cabinet can handle that weight alone or whether you’ll have to replace the entire cabinet. Assuming these drawbacks are minor inconveniences, a farmhouse sink is worth the investment for both current and future homeowners, and can increase the resale value of the kitchen.

How to install a sink in a country house: step-by-step instructions