Kitchen sinks are more than just a place to wash pans and dishes. They’re an essential part of your home décor. If you want to increase the aesthetic and monetary value of your property, installing a new kitchen sink may be a good idea.
However, not all models and styles blend well with any kitchen. If you want to cause a big impact on your visitors, you must choose something unique. Something like the classic farmhouse sinks!
These antiques are fashionable now. They’re the perfect decorative elements for modern and classic style kitchens. Today, we’ll share the pros and cons of farmhouse sinks so you can determine if it’s really a good idea to install one at your home.
What is a Farmhouse Style Sink?
It’s a classic style sink invented in the late 1600s. At that time, water wasn’t available through pipes, so people needed wide and deep basins to store it.
Farmhouse sinks are installed over a rectangular opening on the countertop. In contrast to other sink designs, the front part of farmhouse sinks, known as apron, is fully exposed. For this reason, they’re also known as apron sinks.
Pros and Cons of Farm Sinks
Advantages
1. More spacious than regular sinks
Farmhouse sinks have plenty of space to wash your dishes and pans without making a mess. The basin is wider and deeper, allowing you to contain a greater water volume. That way, you can rinse more things under the water.
2. More durable
Farmhouse sinks are made with durable and resistant materials such as:
- Stainless steel
- Copper
- Fireclay
- Granite
- Black slate
These materials can withstand high impacts, humidity and high temperatures. So, you can rest your arms on the edge of the sink without the risk of breaking it into pieces. In addition, these materials provide an anti-slip surface and don’t scratch so easily.
3. Practical
Certainly, farmhouse sinks are very practical because they considerably facilitate the washing process. In addition, they prevent water splashes on the countertop. So, you won’t have to dry the surface over and over again.
4. Improve the aesthetics of your kitchen
Farmhouse kitchen sinks can do more than washing pans and dishes. They also work as decorative elements. Installing one of these will increase the aesthetic value of your kitchen. In addition, it will catch the attention of all your visits.
They may seem an appropriate choice for rustic style homes. However, they also blend well with modern and classic décor.
- WORKSTATION sink with single-tier track
- Exterior dimensions: 33" (wide) x 22" (front-to-back) | Interior bowl dimension: 30" (wide) x 16" (front-to-back) x 10" (bowl depth)
- MINIMUM Base Cabinet: 36" wide
- Standard 3.5" drain opening will fit most garbage disposal unit
- Included in box: Sink, Cutting Board, Colander, Roll-up Rack, Bottom Rinse Grid, Basket Strainer, Drain Assembly and Installation Guide | Limited Lifetime Warranty - Ruvati USA
5. Ergonomic
Many people tend to bend over the countertop when using their kitchen sinks. When they do this, they adopt a bad posture that may cause serious back pain.
This doesn’t happen with farmhouse sinks because they don’t have a countertop portion where to lay down both arms.
6. Easy to clean
The anti-slip surface of farmhouse sinks makes them super easy to clean. So, you won’t have to worry too much about the remains of grease and oil that can stick. Fireclay models are much easier to clean than the rest. So, you may opt for this material if you aren’t an enthusiast of manual cleaning.
7. Available in different models
Most farmhouse sinks have a single basin. However, you can also find models with double basins. That way, you can rinse your pans and dishes in one half and stack them in the other.
Disadvantages
1. Too expensive
Despite all their advantages, farmhouse sinks may be too expensive for some people. Usually, they double the cost of a regular kitchen sink. The average price can vary between $1000- $2000. Installation costs are also higher.
2. Hard to install
Not everyone has the required skill and experience to install an apron sink properly. They’re bigger and heavier than a regular kitchen sink, so you’ll need an extra pair of hands to complete the job. So, this isn’t exactly the kind of job for a beginner. If you want to do it right, you must pay a professional.
3. Need frequent maintenance
Without that extra countertop section on the front, water could easily leak from the external edge to the floor. If you have cabinets under your sink, water could damage them. So, you must dry the edge over and over again to prevent further damage.
4. Decrease storage space
As said before, farmhouse sinks are wider and deeper than regular sinks. That leaves less storage space for lower cabinets.
5. Prone to dents
The front edge of the farmhouse sink may be exposed to accidental impacts that can cause dents and wear. In these cases, the damages are quite evident, also affecting the overall aesthetics of your kitchen.
The Bottom Line
Before deciding to get a farm sink from your kitchen from so many types, you must first know how much money you’re willing to pay. If you want to replace your old kitchen sink, you’ll also have to modify your countertops and cabinets so the new farmhouse sink can fit.
In addition, if your current cabinets are full of stuff, you’ll have to find a new place to store them when you install a farmhouse sink. You’ll necessarily have to sacrifice storage space to get the job done. Maybe, you’ll have to install new cabinets to recover the lost space.
This kind of job could be much more expensive than just building new cabinets from scratch. So, if your budget is limited, it’s better to consider several options before making the final decision.
FAQ
Q. 1: Is it really convenient to buy a farmhouse sink?
A. Yes. Farmhouse sinks have wider and deeper basins to wash more pans and dishes at the same time. This allows you to save time and water.
Q. 2: Can you easily scratch a farmhouse sink?
A. No. Currently farmhouse sinks are manufactured with sturdy, scratch-proof materials. So, you can wash your knives and other pointed tools without worries.
Q. 3: What is the best material for farmhouse sink?
A. By far, fireclay is the best material for farmhouse sinks, due to its glossy finish, non-stick surface and high strength.
Q. 4: Are farmhouse sinks old fashioned?
A. No. Farmhouse sinks may seem old, but they also blend well with minimalist and modern styles.
