Undermount sinks have been popular since the 1980s, whereas farm sinks have become very popular more recently.
There is no answer to which is better, because it is based on personal preference.
Undermount is about hiding your sink under the counter whereas apron sinks become a focal point.
So we will show you how to size your sink and then some popular styles and prices of each.
Buying a sink seems straightforward enough. Kitchen plumbing, like appliances, follows standard cabinet sizes. The main widths are 25", 30" and 36" with 33" being specified rarely.
Have a look at each style in each size:
Undermount sinks are installed with clips under the counter. Apron sinks sit on the cabinet itself. If you want an apron sink, you have to plan in advance, because the install is more complicated with cabinets.
Once again, this is more personal preference, so let's compare costs.
There is a counterpart for each material whether it is fireclay, copper or good old stainless steel. These are examples of both installations.
Rohl Farm Sink RC2418 - $1,320Rohl fireclay is made by the original Shaw’s of England company.
Madeli Farm Sink MQ3321 - $780As you can see the farm sink and designer materials are more expensive than undermounting stainless steel.
Concrete has become more popular, especially in a farm sink. You buy concrete in a number of finishes.
Sinks remind me of decorative lighting, meaning it completes the vision of your kitchen. Each works, but the look is way different. The undermount sink will accentuate the counters while the farm sink will be another focal point.
Additional Resources
Get the Yale Kitchen Plumbing Buying Guide with a complete breakdown of different sink, faucet and accessories available. It is a great way to start your kitchen remodel project. Over 180,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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