I need help picking out a kitchen sink

10 years ago

I have to pick a kitchen sink by tomorrow and I cannot decide between an apron front farm sink and a cast iron drop in. I love the farm sink look and functionality but have read comments from owners about the grime/sludge that builds up on the lip and is hard to clean. Then I decided on a drop in cast iron and started reading that they scratch and chip easily now due to recent EPA regulations. I'd love to hear from you about your sink - love it or hate it I'd like to know. Thanks so much! Here's a pic of the kitchen before the renovations began - the peninsula is no longer there - the kitchen is open but we will add an island.

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John Webb Construction and Design

10 years ago

I love the apron fronts. I have one in my own home and there is no build up on the lip. Amazon has some really amazing deals on Kraus farm sinks in multiple sizes and bowl forms. I would highly recommend a farm sink in general and the Kraus sinks are 16 gauge steel which is really good and they have sound dampeners on them too. Great quality and a steal of a price. This is a Kraus farm sink we installed last year.

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Comments (40)

dclostboy
10 years ago
I love my stainless apron front farm sink. Little to no additional cleaning required...but I also purchased grate for bottom to prevent scratching (maybe not needed, but guess I bought into the hype) :)
sbrustein
10 years ago
I have a deep stainless drop in D shape. It's been in place since renovating in 2005 and I love it.never seems to scratch and I really appreciate the depth .
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PRO
Jan Neiges, CMKBD with NKBA
10 years ago
If you wanted to go with an apron front sink - hopefully your sink base cabinet was designed to accommodate that sink style. Have you looked at Blanco Siligranite sinks? There are pros/cons to every product out there, it is a matter of what is important to you. Anything can scratch, chip, stain, etc. If you have to select something by tomorrow, you might be limited to what you can pick up that is in stock. If you are in the Denver area - stop at Winnelson, Ferguson and/or Water Systems, Dahl Plumbing and Ultra Design - their sales staff are very educated on the products and they usually have a variety of sinks in stock.. All the best
PRO
Sustainable Dwellings
10 years ago
Cute kitchen. The stainless undermount is what I went with...but I really wanted the $4800. hammered copper farm (apron) sink.
km kane
10 years ago
I am not a fan of apron sinks. I just don't get them. I think they break up the lines of the cabinets, and just plain look out of place. I went with a single, deep undermount stainless and love it. It fit the biggest pots and is easy to clean and polish like new (Bar Keepers Friends and spray polish). I have no problems with crud under the rim. I did buy a grate to keep the bottom from scratching, which I find does get cruddy, so have to clean that often.
boons13
10 years ago
dcloseboy, if you have stainless farmhouse sink, what are the other appliances,like dishwasher and ovens? Thanks
mickisue
10 years ago
I'm not sure that a stainless apron would work in your kitchen. It's gorgeous, but the stainless tend to read contemporary, and the style of your kitchen is more traditional. That said, a more traditional looking apron front could work well. One of the advantages to them, IMO, other than really liking the look, is that you don't have to reach over countertop to get into them, and as most of the better sinks are just as deep, that is a big advantage for shorter people who have correspondingly shorter arms.

I don't have apron sink, but I do have cast iron, with porcelain over. The biggest issue with the porcelain is that, because it's porous, it WILL stain, and you WILL have to scrub it frequently to get the stains out.

A grate at the bottom becomes a necessity to prevent chips in the sink from dropping heavy things, and to protect delicate things from the hardness of the sink. Over time, the grates get grungy, and, while a bath in OxyClean helps, it's not a cure-all.

I would prefer a stainless apron front in my kitchen, but will be going with an under mount drop in, due to the issue mentioned upthread about the cabinetry. 16 gauge stainless, with soundproofing, though, and many of the Vigo sinks, which I love, come with their own grates.
steffieland
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks to each of you for your input - it's helping me figure this out! I am frozen with indecision - fearing I'll make a mistake.
kmkane: my husband is not a fan of the apron sink either for the same reason- and I see what you both mean. It doesn't always look like it flows with the cabinetry and overall look of the kitchen.
Mickiesue: thanks for your thoughts on this topic. I think you may be right about stainless in this kitchen. I've heard good things about the granite composite sinks too. Maybe I'll just get a porcelain and accept that whatever I have is going to have some wear and tear on it! Hey, does anybody know if a fire clay sink is more durable than cast iron porcelain? Rhols has a beautiful drop in fire clay.
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mcbriec
10 years ago
Had you thought about copper??? You can get a large one on eBay for about $1,000, but I'm sure that if you go to a bricks and mortar it will be so much more $$$. I think it's more important to get a sink you really want rather than stay on schedule.
joiz2
10 years ago
love your renovation…..I'd stick to a farm style sink, since that's the feel I get from your kitchen! It's really a nice upgrade!
steffieland
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks mcbrie I've read here on houzz comments from people who have them and they all seemed to love them -not a neg comment from any! I think I'll consider a drop in copper sink- thanks for the idea! I think the apron front would be too much for that space. By the way, I will have sea pearl quartzite countertops - a creamy, grayish green with a marble appearance.
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steffieland
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks joiz2 I swear I am all over the place with picking a sink! I think you're right, too in that a white or biscuit apron front would work well - I think a copper apron front would not look too good. I am considering a drop in copper sink. Thanks so much for your thoughts on this!
mickisue
10 years ago
Here's the good news, steffieland: we humans are so funny. Especially when we agonize over a decision, once the decision is made, we instantly love it, and can't imagine having made a different one. You have all sorts of choices, but the one you make will end up the one you love, I assure you!
diyher
10 years ago
I too am hoping to replace my sink in 2014. I've had stainless probably since 1984 in the different houses we've lived. They have always scratched easy. I'm 99% sure we will be going with a Blanco Silgranite II sink in one of 2 colors I saw depending on the color the counter top we choose.
Search Google or Youtube for Silgranite and you will learn a lot about the product.
mickisue
10 years ago
Copper sinks on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/MR-Direct-911-Double-Offset/dp/B009O8BNMI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388614851&sr=8-1&keywords=copper+kitchen+sink

http://www.amazon.com/MADISON-N-175-COPPER-Schock-Houzer-Topmount/dp/B006K1MYIO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388614851&sr=8-2&keywords=copper+kitchen+sink

http://www.amazon.com/ECOSINKS-K2U-0801SA-Kitchen-31x20x9-Inch-Antique/dp/B0026T61HO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388614851&sr=8-3&keywords=copper+kitchen+sink

Amazingly good prices, all sorts of styles, both single and double bowl. Those three all happen to be Prime eligible, too, so they get the two-day delivery for free treatment.

If I weren't now married to the Vigo stainless, I'd be really tempted by the Houzer sink. I think it's stunning.
steffieland
Original Author
10 years ago
Mickisue, thanks for the links and the amazon prime shipping tip, I am a member so could use that 2 day free shipping! Your observations on human nature when making such decisions was quite reassuring and made me smile! I'm sure I too will love my final decision once I commit.
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steffieland
Original Author
10 years ago
John Webb Construction, wow beautiful kitchen! Thanks for your comments regarding the apron front sink. I'm glad to hear you have no issues with keeping the edges clean.
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Micki Samson
10 years ago
We built a home in the country 4 years ago and I designed my own kitchen so I can't complain too much but I have found that my needs are different now. I started canning. I love stainless sinks for durability and ease of cleaning, but my two bowl drop in sink (even tho it's plenty deep) is not large enough to accommodate my big pots. I would evaluate your needs first and looks second. Wish I had! Will be replacing the sink soon.
User
10 years ago
Apron fronts look good in certain kinds of kitchens. I have a friend who has a soapstone one and I actually don't like reaching over and down into it, and... she has just one sink. You can get a huge canner pot in there but overall ... I don't like it. I'm glad I got to test drive hers...

I prefer at least a double sink so I can have things going on (washing and rinsing my dishes...) and I want a triple bowl (with the small third) so I can have my disposer handy as I go.

I grew up with a double stainless, and it took the abuse well; you have to pick a good solid high quality sink. I despise the enameled weird 'stepped in' double I had that's all chipped up and a strange sickly light yellow. Thanks for the heads up about the Vigo, I will look into those.

I will suggest that if you don't go with an ultra deep sink get a high arc faucet. I had replaced the one in this house with one and it makes life much better dealing with tall stuff. However it's not a stellar brand, decided to leak like nobody's business and is in the junk with the rest of the stuff I ripped out and never want to see again.

Picture is a 3 bowl sink with the third for the disposer.
joiz2
10 years ago
I would not throw copper in there…..just my opinion
sbrustein
10 years ago
This is a picture of your kitchen before Reno . We have no dea what your new kitchen will look like. Is it modern, traditional , country? I think a farm sink looks out of place in a modern kitchen. Are you keeping your brick floor?
PRO
David Clough Construction Company
10 years ago
I'd go with the farm sink....it won't chip, looks great, and the drop in has a rim that's hard to clean.
steffieland
Original Author
10 years ago
Sbrustein: my initial question was about function and practicality of various sinks and evolved into a design discussion. Sorry for not having a relevant pic but I was there today and do have a current one I will post. Yes, I am keeping the brick floors. We are painting the cabinets and window trim off white/creamy white and the walls a creamy light yellow, changing to quartzite countertops and adding an island- there's a mockup of it in the picture. I would say the house is traditional with a natural, rustic feel. I'm thinking I'll get a farmhouse sink after all. Thanks for your time!
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steffieland
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, David Clough Construction you've validated my decision!
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sbrustein
10 years ago
I love th arm house sink with that fabulous brick floor. It is in keeping with the rustic traditional theme. If you were all sleek and modern , then not so much.
njmomma777
10 years ago
I love my farmhouse sink, wouldn't change a thing! Go with what you love!
grobby
10 years ago
Love the farmhouse sink. In my plans, when I remodel.
juplips
10 years ago
njmomma777 who made your cabinets and what color is your granite? I love everything together. Your sink is just what I want too so info on it would be helpful. Thank you..
Ann
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I got a blanco silgranit (granite composite) undermount sink a year ago (with my new quartzite countertop). I love it! They have lots of good colors too. Maybe Cinder or Metallic Gray with your quartzite color. I don't know about copper with your countertop color.
njmomma777
10 years ago
My cabinets are Decora( 2 color choices) and the granite is Giallo Ornamental.
Any further questions, email me at momofriannon@yahoo.com
Thanks for the compliment. It was " my dream kitchen " project after we had a house fire that caused renovating almost our entire interior!
njmomma777
10 years ago
Sink I purchased online through one those large plumbing supply companies. I couldn't afford the name brand one and spent about $500. on this one. LOVE it!
diyher
10 years ago
Hi NJMomma :) from across the river in PA. Was that a new cabinet you bought for over your microwave? Wondering if I could just take the doors off mine and paint the inside, put beadboard and the small valance and light it up with something pretty. It's a hard to reach area anyway
sunnydrew
10 years ago
njmomma, I love your kitchen, but your desk....it does not seem to be working the way it was intended? :)
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njmomma777
10 years ago
Dither, yes that is a new cabinet. Your idea sounds like a good one! Unusable space for decorative items!
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njmomma777
10 years ago
Sunny drew, it's actually not a desk but a storage/landing space that sits in a small space as you enter my kitchen. I do struggle on proper organization in that area and am looking for suggestions! Thanks goodness it's not as cluttered usually as when I took that first picture but I do wish the area worked better for me
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vicrae22
8 years ago
I have spent months researching sink for total kitchen remodel! Finally ordered 36" undermount copper sink from Rachiele! I feel really food with my decision !!
skp228
6 years ago
My thought is that the farmhouse sink look, with the "apron" in front - is nice, but something very specific and will get dated, where a nice undermount stainless sink is timeless and beautiful - especially a single bowl sink.
Shredder
6 years ago
I am not a fan of the apron front sink. I think it's trendy and will look dated before long. Also, it probably works best in a "farmhouse" and not sure that you live in one! LOL. Have you considered the granite composite sinks? I have had stainless steel (dents and scratches), cast iron enameled (chips, scratches and loss of finish), acrylic (too delicate for kitchen use IMHO), and a granite composite sink. As much as I loved the look of the cast iron enameled (I purchased a $1200 tan and brown sink that I thought was absolutely gorgeous), I have to admit that the granite composite sink is more durable, pretty, cleans up easily with just dish soap, water and a sponge and has not scratched, chipped or lost it's color in 2 years of heavy use. Give them a look. Good luck with your kitchen!
diyher
6 years ago
thanks for the vote of confidence shredder1952 I bought a granite composite double sink for my kitchen, and a large single composite for my laundry room. Once I finish putting together my Conestoga cabinets by the end of next week, then the week after the cabinets all go in and the counter people gives us 2 weeks until install. Can't wait to finally use them after hearing everyone that owns one rave about them :)
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