50 Amazing Farmhouse Sinks to Make Your Kitchen Pop

Types of Farmhouse Sinks

Farmhouse sinks come in different materials which differ in durability, strength and look. The most common materials you will come across are:

1. Fireclay

Fireclay sinks have a certain traditional flair that can give your kitchen a unique look. It is made by firing clay and glaze together in temperatures up to 1600 degrees, creating a very hard almost iron-like material. This gives fireclay sinks a relatively high level of durability and makes it resistant against scratches.

One major problem with fireclay sinks is chipping. Considering that this is a farmhouse sink, it is likely that you will be washing heavy pots and pans in it. The bang and clutter leaves the sink vulnerable to chipping. Only consider fireclay if you don’t plan on washing or placing heavy utensils in it or if you are buying a sink for your bathroom where the stress is less.

2. Cast iron

Cast iron is one of the most popular farmhouse sink materials. It is extremely durable and will stand up to essentially anything including the heaviest pots and pans. When shopping for cast iron farmhouse sinks, try to find enamel cast iron ones. Brands like Kohler have a wide variety of them.

Enamel cast iron sinks are coated with a layer of enamel, which protects the iron from rust, scratches and chipping. Such a sink will easily last for decades without losing its shine. If you are looking for a farmhouse sink that is practical yet stylish and will keep going for years without requiring much maintenance, go for enamel cast iron.

3. Enameled steel

Enameled steel is somewhat of an offshoot of enamel cast iron. As enamel cast iron got highly popular, cheaper versions that consisted of steel emerged. In fact, you will likely confuse one for the other. Both feel hard and look quite tough. But under normal kitchen conditions, a farmhouse stainless steel sink does not hold up very well. While it will not rust, steel is not as hard as iron and will likely chip and scratch with time. Consider enamel cast iron instead. It may be pricier, but it is worth it.

4. Acrylic

Acrylic is a much cheaper option for someone who wants the fireclay look but finds it too pricey. Acrylic is not the best choice when you are looking for a high-durability farmhouse sink. Too much abuse from pots and pans can cause chipping.

On the upside, acrylic sinks are very easy to clean thanks to their high-gloss finish. They also come in a much wider variety of styles and sizes, thanks to the malleable polycarbonate plastic they are made out of.

5. Copper

Copper was one of the earliest materials used in manufacturing farmhouse sinks. Though they are not as common today, there are still those who love them for their warm traditional look and elegant aging. Copper sinks are durable, do not stain easily and are naturally anti-bacterial. On the downside, a copper farmhouse sink is quite pricey and is more complicated to install, check out when the right time to add a copper sink to your kitchen.

6. Other materials

Other materials that are used in farmhouse sinks include porcelain, concrete, stone and fiberglass among others. Some sinks feature a combination of materials such as steel and stone.

Number of Bowls

Here there are two main varieties: single bowl and double bowled. Each has its pros and cons. A double bowl allows you to wash dishes in one and rinse them in the other or stack dirty dishes in one and leave the other one free for use. Proponents of the single bowl praise the large unobstructed space that allows you to clean large pots with ease.

How to Choose the Right Sink

The most important thing to consider when choosing a farmhouse sink is how it will fit in with your needs. In other words, how practical will it be? If you have heavy pans, an enamel cast iron sink is best. If you want something to fit your oversized pots, a single bowl sink is ideal.

Also consider the aesthetics. Do you want a modern or traditional look?  Copper or stone sinks are best if you want a warm farmhouse feel while materials like porcelain and fiberglass carry unmistakably modern aesthetics.

Budget is also a major factor. Decide how much you are comfortable spending before you start shopping around. In the lower range you will find porcelain and acrylic farmhouse sinks. Steel sinks tend to be in the mid-range while enamel cast iron and copper sinks are a bit pricier.

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