Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks
Apron-front sinks in fireclay, cast iron, and stainless. The signature piece of a modern farmhouse kitchen.
Overview
The farmhouse sink, also called an apron-front sink, is the single most visible kitchen fixture in a modern farmhouse or transitional kitchen. The deep, wide basin and exposed front apron create a focal point that countertops, faucets, and cabinetry are all designed around. It is rarely an afterthought and almost always the first decision in a farmhouse kitchen design.
Farmhouse sinks are available in three primary materials: fireclay, cast iron, and stainless steel. Each has distinct characteristics in terms of appearance, durability, weight, and maintenance. We discuss the trade-offs at the consultation and match the specification to the countertop, the cabinet, and how the kitchen is used.
A dense ceramic material fired at extreme temperature to produce a non-porous, stain-resistant surface. The most popular farmhouse sink material in the Chicago suburban market. Available in white, off-white, and matte black.
Advantages: Stain-resistant, chip-resistant, non-porous, timeless appearance
Considerations: Heavy, requires reinforced base cabinet, can crack if a heavy object is dropped
Best for: Modern Farmhouse, Traditional, French Country
A heavy iron basin coated in a thick, durable enamel finish. The original farmhouse sink material. More prone to chipping than fireclay but repairable. Available in a wide range of colours.
Advantages: Extremely durable enamel, quiet, retains heat well, wide colour range
Considerations: Very heavy, enamel can chip over decades, requires reinforced base cabinet
Best for: Traditional, Victorian, French Country
A 16 gauge stainless apron-front sink for homeowners who want the farmhouse configuration with the durability and industrial character of stainless. Less common but increasingly specified in transitional kitchens.
Advantages: Most durable surface, lighter than fireclay and cast iron, easy to clean
Considerations: Scratches visible on polished finish, less traditional appearance
Best for: Transitional, Industrial, Contemporary Farmhouse
Farmhouse sinks require a modified base cabinet with a reduced front rail and a reinforced floor to support the additional weight. This modification is part of the cabinet scope on every Dan Craig Cabinetry farmhouse sink installation. The cabinet is built around the sink, not retrofitted after the fact.
Sometimes. If the existing base cabinet is a standard 36-inch single or double door cabinet with a solid floor, a retrofit is possible with modification. We assess the existing cabinet at the consultation. If the cabinet cannot be safely modified, a replacement base cabinet is the correct solution, and the cost is incorporated into the project scope.
Most fireclay and cast iron farmhouse sinks have a basin depth of 8 to 10 inches. This is deeper than a standard stainless sink, which is one of the practical advantages of the farmhouse configuration. Large pots, sheet pans, and full dish loads fit more easily in a deep apron-front basin.
Both are excellent materials for a farmhouse sink. Fireclay is denser, less prone to chipping, and more consistent in colour tone. Cast iron enamel is more forgiving of heavy impacts in terms of denting and is available in more colour options. For most homeowners in the Chicago suburban market, fireclay is our first recommendation because it holds its appearance better over a 20-year daily-use cycle.
Sink selection is part of every kitchen and bathroom vanity design conversation. We bring specifications and samples and match the sink to your project.
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