Plumbing Supply Birmingham AL: The Apron Sink VS the Farmhouse 

If you’ve ever shopped for a kitchen sink and considered the farmhouse look, you’ve probably seen apron and farmhouse lumped into a single category.

Depending on who you ask about the differences, you may get mixed responses. It can range from one being wider or more popular than the other.

Here is a detailed guide to help you better understand the two sinks, so you can choose the right one for your kitchen space and style.

First: What Are They?

The farmhouse sink is the progenitor of the apron-front sink. It originated in the early days when farms in Ireland and Great Britain used the kitchen sink for cooking needs and hand laundering, which is why its large capacity was necessary.

They were considered as work sinks, later even integrating backsplashes and drain boards to meet various demands.

They both have exposed fronts, but whereas apron sinks can be almost any typical sink material—from stainless steel to engineered stone—the traditional farmhouse sink is usually fireclay or cast iron with apron corners rounded for user comfort. These factors give the farmhouse sink its distinctive quaint and homey look.

Second: Why Do They Work?

What you lose in countertop and cabinet space, you gain in capacity.

Which is beneficial in a few ways: having more space to maneuver when prepping or washing food, washing big cookware such as pots and bakeware, cleaning up after a dinner party, or filling large containers.

Sure, a pull-down faucet can help in some of these scenarios, but the point is to do it all while keeping water, suds, and food spillage outside the sink to a minimum.

Third: Material Options

Farmhouse sinks are traditionally constructed of fireclay or enameled cast iron, though some manufacturers are now using solid surfacing that mimics the look of true fireclay.

White fireclay is a common choice because it has aesthetic appeal to homeowners and interior decorators the like.

It boasts good durability against impact and is an easy-clean surface.

Fireclay aprons can be flat and smooth, fluted, or decorative in other ways.

Fourth: How to Choose?

Both the apron and farmhouse sinks can be useful and ergonomic in the kitchen while adding some a beautiful design feature.

If you go with an apron sink, you'll need to figure out if your cabinetry alone can support the weight or if you'll have to replace cabinetry altogether.

Both sinks are well worth the investment in giving the kitchen the element of upscale design.

Come visit the Birmingham Design Center location (we also have locations in Pelham & Tuscaloosa), we would love to show you around.

We are committed to being the premiere customer service driven supplier of quality plumbing supplies in the industry. We set a standard not matched by our competitors.

We would love to speak to you and help to make your dream kitchen or bathroom vision come true!