Apron Front Sinks

Apron Front Sinks Are Very Functional

More and more kitchen sink options are being made available to homeowners today. Among these options are apron front sinks also known as farmhouse sinks.

They are quite different with the standard sinks that are popularly used today. These sinks have lips on their front side which covers the front of the cabinet forming an “apron”. The lips hang about six inches from the top of the sink. They serve to protect the cabinets from water splashes coming from the sink. The bowls of these types of sinks are usually deeper than the standard sinks. This is to accommodate more dishes and large pots and pans inside the sink.

apron front sinks - barclays fs24 single bowl kitchen sink 

The thing that differentiates apron front sinks from other sinks is their broad base at the front. It can serve as a resting place for the forearms as well as a considerable amount of space for dishwashing and food washing works. You can use it actually for quick kitchen works. Probably because of this functionality, the demand for these types of sinks has been steadily rising. With more and more innovative kitchen designs being introduced in the market, the apron front sink also followed the trend. The traditional apron front design is now augmented with more modern designs with additional useful features.

 

Styles and Designs
Apron front sinks are also available in single bowl and double bowls. They can also be mounted over the top (in drop-in style) or under-mount (which is mounted underneath the countertop). The traditional apron front sink is made of cast iron. Today, this heavy material has given way to various other materials which makes these sinks more convenient to make and easy to install. You can now find apron front sinks made of stainless steel, ceramic, porcelain, copper, brushed steel, fired clay, granite, marble, composite materials, etc.

They are also available in single color or different color combinations. You can also find them with different surface finishes such as matte finish or silk finish. These sinks are also traditionally fitted with just wall-mounted faucets. Now, there are also apron sink that have sink-level faucets. Their designs are now easily blended with both traditional and modern kitchen settings.

How Styles Blend With Your Kitchen Setting
Following is a sample list of apron front sinks and their values:
• Cast Iron apron front sink – since it is the classic type, it will emphasize the artistic values of your kitchen.
• Stainless steel apron front sink – a perfect fit for your chic and modern kitchen setting.
• Copper apron front sink – very functional with its anti-bacterial properties. It will also add a very European color in your kitchen.
• Granite apron front sink – will blend perfectly with your granite countertop whether it is of traditional or modern design.
• Ceramic apron front sink – with its bright colors and new designs, they will harmonize well with your contemporary and modern kitchen design.
Advantages
Some of the more notable advantages of having apron front sinks are the following:
• Deeper Bowl – this allows you to put more pots and dishes in the sink for washing. This will facilitate your dishwashing work and make them easier. Placing all the pots and dishes all at one time beats the hassle of washing them one by one.
• Protection for your wooden cabinet – the apron section of the sink will definitely protect your wooden cabinet from water splashes coming from the sink.
• Prevent Mold and Mildew from Forming – the deeper and larger bowls of apron front sinks will also prevent the formation of mold and mildew on your countertops because the water will be contained just inside the sink.
• Bacteria will not be given opportunity to increase with the use of copper apron front sinks.

Disadvantages
You also need to look at some disadvantage to have a better idea on what is right for your kitchen set-up. Here are some of the disadvantages:
• They don’t look good with modern kitchens especially apron front sinks that are traditionally designed.
• They jut out from the side of the countertop.
• There are only a very few style options for traditional type kitchen designs.

Always keep in mind the general rule that your kitchen fixtures must harmonize well with each other. Therefore the style, design and material of your apron front kitchen sinks must blend well with your overall kitchen décor. You need not worry though because there are many manufacturers making these types of sinks that for sure, you can get exactly the apron sinks that will fit perfectly in your kitchen setting.

In the matter of care and maintenance, no matter how good and excellent the sink is, if you neglect its daily care and maintenance, you will only be able to use it for a short time. Therefore, always remember to clean your sinks after every use and you will be able to preserve its original beauty and use it also for as long as you want.