What You Need to Know About Using Farm Sinks in Your Kitchen Design
So your client tells you that they want a farmhouse, apron front sink? Before you spec one of these gorgeous sinks, make sure you and your client know all the pros AND cons of owning one of these beauties.
Farm Sinks burst back onto the scene right along with the farmhouse style. Let’s look way back when farmhouse sinks were introduced into homes before the days of indoor plumbing. They had to hold large buckets of water and also needed to be used to bathe children. Today, we are afforded the luxury of indoor plumbing and bathtubs, so the farmhouse sink becomes more of an aesthetic than a necessity. They are larger and can make busy kitchens more functional but, there are a few things to make sure you and your client are aware of before you place the order.
They Take Up a Lot of Space
Sure you get that space in the sink, but they do not fit in all kitchens the same. You certainly consider scale when placing furniture so make sure you do the same when selecting the sink. Dropping them into an existing space may not work so make sure that there is space for the new sink.
*TIP* In a new or remodeled space, the sink needs to be set BEFORE the counter is measured. Right along with that, make sure to have the faucet on-site the day of the counter measure as well.
Staining Can be an Issue
Not all farmhouse sinks are created equal, but many of the most popular are large, white, and porcelain. If you aren’t careful that beautiful white may begin to yellow over time. This is due to daily use, as well as water with a high mineral content. They are also prone to marks and staining. I recommend using a small amount of baking soda and vinegar to gently scrub marks, but make sure to test that on a small area first.
Is your client prone to dropping things?
This may sound odd but, farm sinks can be a glass’s worst enemy- mix with soapy hands and one slip means broken glass. These sinks are also deeper than a traditional sink, which means a longer drop, and glasses, stemware and dishes have farther to fall.
The sinks can crack. If you drop that big heavy platter, the platter itself may shatter but also the porcelain sink is prone to cracks as well. Pots and pans have more room to be filled and washed, but they can cause chipping that is not easy to fix.
Making the Right Choice
If after making your clients aware of all these things, they still are in for a farm sink, then go for it. What you don’t want is to have the sink installed, and then you get that call, that it is yellowing, or it chipped, and they were not aware that would happen. Now you are left explaining yourself as to why you didn’t make them aware of these things, and possibly even replacing their sink at your cost!
Remember that being a designer is also about expectations, and making sure those are clear to your client so they can make an informed decision is always in your best interest.
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