Farmhouse Sink vs Apron Sink – What’s the Difference?

Are you confused about the difference between an apron sink and a farmhouse sink? Understanding farmhouse sink vs apron sink is quite important. You probably already know that both of them are large, deep, and spacious enough to hold large amounts of water! Yes, definitely they are! But in some aspects, they also differ slightly from each other. In this article, we will compare the apron sink vs farmhouse sink so that you can understand the basic differences between the two. Moreover, the detailed comparison will definitely help you choose the perfectly suited one for your kitchen.

As the name specifies, apron front sinks have a special lip towards the front that extends out of the kitchen counter, while the other three edges are somehow bare. This design leads to a slide in the installation of apron front sinks.

On the other hand, farmhouse sinks are mostly finished on all four edges. Therefore, they can be installed above or below the kitchen countertop. That being said, a farmhouse sink can be an apron sink, but an apron front sink does not necessarily have to be a farmhouse sink.

This was a basic introduction to both farmhouse sinks and apron sinks. Now we will make a detailed comparison of both these kitchen sinks.

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Apron Sink vs Farmhouse Sinks

The following features will help you spot the main differences between a farmhouse sink and apron sinks.

Materials of Apron and Farmhouse Sink

Farmhouse sinks are the oldest and most popular feature of a modern and country-style kitchen. Their beauty and utility make them an integral part of a modern kitchen.

Farmhouse sinks are generally made from fireclay, porcelain and cast iron. The strong material of farmhouse sinks is resistant to degradation caused by heavy crockery.

While the modern apron sinks are available in almost all types of materials, i.e. ceramic, stainless steel, copper, fireclay, and cast iron, therefore, if you do not like the old fashioned fireclay or cast iron sinks, you can buy an apron sink and get the benefits of a farmhouse sink.

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Design of Farmhouse and Apron Sinks

Here comes the basic feature that will help you to differentiate a farmhouse sink from an apron sink in a single look.

The apron sinks have an extended front that hangs over the kitchen cabinet. You can clearly see the exposed front of an apron sink. On the other hand, farmhouse sinks have a simple front that is adjacent to the kitchen countertop, providing a seamless finish. The kitchen cabinet may also cover the sink.

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Drying Area

Apron sinks are mostly featured with a special drying area along with a spacious sink. In comparison, the farmhouse sinks have a single, large-sized and deep sink without any area for drying dishes. Therefore, farmhouse sinks can be mainly used for washing purpose only. While some of the modern apron-front sinks also have a built-in workstation that allows you to do many other kitchen tasks within your kitchen sink.

Installation of Apron and Farmhouse Kitchen Sink

Due to the extra features available in apron sinks, they may be quite tricky to install compared to farmhouse sinks. In addition to this, the style and large weight of an apron sink make mounting very difficult. Therefore, apron sinks are installed in a slide in manner.

On the other hand, farmhouse sinks are comparatively less difficult to install as these sinks have a single or double basin. Moreover, the finished edges of a farmhouse sinks allow both top mount and undermount installation.

Appearance

When it comes to the interior designing of your kitchen, you will surely go for the sink that will add elegance to your kitchen. If you prefer an urban and modern look, your choice should be none other than an apron sink. However, if that is not the case, and you like those traditional and aesthetic kitchen designs, we recommend buying a farmhouse sink.

Furthermore, if you want to bring a modern look and feel to your kitchen but prefer the farmhouse design, you can also buy a fireclay farmhouse sink that will look as stylish and modern as an apron sink.

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Farmhouse Sinks – Advantages and Drawbacks

To make your decision easier, we have also written down farmhouse sink drawbacks and its advantages.

Apron Sinks – Advantages and Drawbacks

These apron sink’s advantages and disadvantages will help you to make the right decision for your sweet home, farmhouse or at any business place.

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Conclusion

To sum up in a nutshell, both farmhouse sinks and apron sinks are dedicated to carrying large amounts of water. However, farmhouse sinks are installed above or beneath the counter, creating a seamless finish to the entire kitchen. On the other hand, apron sinks have an extended design on the front side that protects the lower cabinet and adds luxury and elegance to any kitchen.

If you are designing a modern kitchen, we recommend you buy an apron sink. However,  if you prefer a traditional and artistic sink that can add a country feel to your kitchen, a farmhouse sink is the best option for you.

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