Farmhouse Sink Vs. Apron Sink: What Are The Major Differences?

Brigid Levi
by Brigid Levi
via Shutterstock

When my husband and I were redoing our kitchen, I was very picky about the sink. We ended up with the biggest sink possible. It’s an amazing farmhouse sink. Now, you may have an image in your head of what my sink looks like, but it’s probably not what you think.

Mine is a stainless steel under-mount sink. The base is completely covered by cabinets and countertops. Confused? That’s probably because you’re under the impression that a farmhouse sink and an apron sink are one and the same.

A farmhouse sink is set apart by its depth. Typically, it’s between 9-10 inches deep. An apron sink is also usually deep; however, it doesn’t have to be. The defining feature of an apron sink is its exposed front. A farmhouse sink can also have an exposed apron, but it’s not necessary. Installation of an apron sink can be tricky.

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Farmhouse Sinks vs. Apron Sinks

People often confuse these two sinks and for good reason. A farmhouse sink can be an apron sink, but an apron sink doesn’t have to be a farmhouse sink.

Defining Features

To be considered a farmhouse sink, it must have a depth of 9-10 inches. That is the only defining qualification. It can be completely hidden behind cabinets with no exposed sides. It can be mounted in a variety of ways.

To be considered an apron sink, the front must be exposed. It can have a depth anywhere between 7-10 inches.

Here’s where the confusing crossover happens: an apron sink that is between 9-10 inches deep is also a farmhouse sink.

Farmhouse or Apron?

Here’s a helpful chart to determine the features required by each sink.

Farmhouse SinkApron Sink
Less than 9 inches deepNoYes
9-10 inches deepYesYes
Exposed frontYesYes
Hidden sink baseYesNo

Materials

While neither sink style must be built from specific materials, some materials are more common than others.

Traditionally, farmhouse sinks are made from the following:

Traditionally, apron sinks are made from the following:

  • Fireclay
  • Cast iron

Nowadays, other materials are used to construct either apron or farmhouse sinks. These include ceramic, concrete, granite, or copper.

Farmhouse Sink Style

Farmhouse sinks invoke a rustic sensibility. Their rounded corners and softer edges fit with a cozy and traditional aesthetic.

Farmhouse sinks provide one large basin for cleaning all sorts of things from dishes to laundry to children! While it is less common, some farmhouse sinks have a split down the middle of their basins, creating two work areas.

Apron Sink Style

Because of their exposed fronts, apron sinks create a statement in your kitchen. They create an industrial appearance, especially if they are made from metal materials.

Like farmhouse sinks, they also offer functionality in their deep basins. However, if they’re on the shallower side, containing water splashes may not be guaranteed.

Apron sinks are ideal for those of us who are height challenged. If you’re under 5’5”, the ergonomic design means no bending over to wash dishes!

Farmhouse Sink Installation

Because of their size, farmhouse sinks can be trickier to install than the average sink. But their installation is much easier than that of an apron sink…unless you get an apron-style farmhouse. Then, all bets are off.

Farmhouse sinks come in a variety of mounting styles: drop-in, under-mount, or apron.

A drop-in sink is when a hole is cut into the countertop and the sink is dropped into it. The edge of the sink forms a lip on the countertop. Many standard sinks are built this way, and it’s probably the easiest mounting option.

An under-mount sink is when the basin is attached under the countertop. This provides a seamless look because the countertop simply stops, dropping off suddenly into the sink basin. Installation is more difficult for this type of sink and requires more precision. But it’s not impossible to do on your own.

Apron Sink Installation

While farmhouse sinks are difficult to install, apron sinks are even harder. They require a custom cutaway because they don’t fit into a standard sink hole. The exposed front means the base cabinet will also have to be cut.

And speaking of base cabinets, you can’t just put an apron sink into any base cabinet. The sink needs to be installed into a cabinet specially designed and sized for apron sinks.

Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s recommended to have a professional install your apron sink. This goes for apron-style farmhouse sinks as well.

Farmhouse Sink Pros and Cons

It’s no doubt that farmhouse sinks are a popular choice for homeowners. That’s probably because they have many wonderful qualities. But they also have their drawbacks.

Pros

  • They offer large basins to comfortably work with kitchenware, laundry, and the like.
  • Though usually designed to be one large sink, they can also be divided into two if that’s your preference.
  • They come in a wide variety of colors and materials to match any aesthetic.
  • They are easy to clean and reduce the amount of splashing on cabinets and countertops.
  • If made from fireclay or porcelain, the noise level when cleaning is drastically cut down.

Cons

  • They are more expensive than the average under-mount sink.
  • Because the size of the sink is so big, you may have to sacrifice countertop space in order to accommodate it.
  • Installation can be tricky.

Apron Sink Pros and Cons

Just as with farmhouse sinks, apron sinks have their benefits and drawbacks as well.

Pros

  • They are made from durable, ergonomic materials.
  • They offer a large basin that can hold many dishes, pots, and pans.
  • The exposed front protects the cabinet below from damage.

Cons

  • When compared with the average under-mount or drop-in sink, apron sinks are expensive.
  • They can be uncomfortable for tall users.
  • They aren’t deep enough to be considered splash-proof.
  • A custom hole needs to be cut into the cabinets and countertop, making installation tricky and expensive.

Sink Replacement

If you’re thinking about replacing your standard sink with either a farmhouse or apron sink, there are few things to keep in mind.

Going with the Same Mounting Type

Farmhouse sinks are typically going to be an easier replacement, especially if you go with the same mounting type. For example, if your current sink is an under-mount, you can easily replace it with an under-mount farmhouse sink. Just make sure to get a farmhouse sink with the same width.

Drop-in to Under-mount

This is where things get tricky. If your current sink is a drop-in but you want to install an under-mount farmhouse sink, you may not be able to. It all depends on your countertop material.

Some countertops that are cut for a drop-in sink will have an unfinished edge around the sink hole. It doesn’t matter much if the edge is unfinished because the drop-in sink will hide it. However, that edge will be exposed if you install an under-mount sink. Make sure to check that beforehand.

Replacing with an Apron Sink

If you’re replacing your countertop, this would be a good time to make the switch to an apron sink. Just know that you may also need to replace the base cabinet if it’s not able to support an apron sink.

Though not impossible, it would be extremely difficult to replace a regular sink with an apron sink without touching the countertops. Cutting is necessary. You will definitely need a professional to help with this type of sink replacement.


Related Questions

We spent a lot of time discussing the differences between farmhouse and apron sinks as well as their advantages and disadvantages. But maybe you still have more questions. Below are some things other people wondered about these sinks.

Is the farmhouse sink going out of style?

Farmhouse sinks, particularly apron-front sinks, have been around since the 17th century. It’s safe to say they’re never going out of style. Many home décor magazines consider farmhouse sinks to be timeless. That being said, a new trend in farmhouse sinks has been spotted. Many homeowners are asking for them to be made from concrete!

Do you install a farmhouse sink before the countertop?

If a farmhouse sink is either a drop-in or under-mount, the countertop must be laid first. However, if it’s an apron-front sink, most contractors require the sink to be installed before the cabinets. This ensures they will cut the countertop correctly the first time.

Can fireclay sinks crack?

Though light maintenance is required, a fireclay sink will look new for years. It will not discolor or crack like other materials due to its heavy-duty composition. Fireclay sinks are also non-porous as well as acid- and alkali-resistant.

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Summing It Up

The defining feature of a farmhouse sink is its depth. If it’s not between 9-10 inches deep, it’s not a farmhouse sink. Farmhouse sinks come in a variety of materials and mounting styles, making them a versatile choice for your kitchen.

To be considered an apron sink, it must have an exposed front. Its depth can be anywhere from 7-10 inches. And some farmhouse sinks can be apron sinks. Apron sinks are ideal for uses under 5’5” but are incredibly difficult to install.

Brigid Levi
Brigid Levi

Brigid Levi is a wife, mother, and freelance writer who enjoys a good DIY project and creating beautiful spaces within her home. From cleaning and organization hacks to home decor ideas, she loves helping people in their quest to turn a house into a home. Her hobbies include pretending to be Joanna Gaines while updating her home with her husband and performing in local theater productions.

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