Is a Copper Farmhouse Sink right for you?
One of the most important rooms in the house is the kitchen. It serves many functions in the home, both functional and decorative. Fitting your kitchen to ensure that it serves your tastes and fulfills all purposes is very important. One way of doing this is installing the right sink for your needs. One sink style that is becoming an increasingly popular feature in the kitchen is a farmhouse sink.
A farmhouse sink, a farmer's sink or an apron sink, is deep, large and has a finished front that is exposed. The exposed front tends to jut outwards past the limits of the cabinetry within which it is installed. The origin of this sink can be traced to the 19th and early 20th century. It was used in traditional kitchens for providing adequate space to soak and wash large pans and pots. Also, there were no dishwashing machines back then, meaning that large sinks were required to wash the many dishes used in a home.
Today, these sinks are still used either for the earlier purpose of space or decoration purposes. Farmer's sinks are especially ideal for kitchens that have applied traditional decor in them. When used in a kitchen remodel, it can add a certain appealing flair to the general look and appearance of the kitchen.
Copper Farmhouse Sinks
Apron sinks come in different varieties to suit the various tastes of homeowners. In regards to the material, there are those sinks made from copper. They are referred to as copper farmhouse sinks. These sinks compete for popularity with other types of apron sinks such as those made from stainless steel or porcelain.
If you are planning to install a copper sink, it is important to understand its nature and features and thus determine whether it is the right one for you. To help you below is a brief guide outlining the various types of farmer's copper sinks, their comparison to standard sinks and their pros and cons.
Types of Farmhouse Copper Sinks
Depending on your tastes, preferences and kitchen requirements, there are several options of sinks you can choose from depending on style, type of copper and type of finish.
A ) Type of Copper
When you consider the copper types used in the sink, there are two factors to look at; copper gauge and copper content.
Copper gauge refers to the metal thickness and the lower the gauge number, the thicker the metal. Smaller gauges, which correspond to thicker sinks, are preferred because they are more durable and are at a lower risk of dents and warping. The usual range of gauge for copper sinks is between 14 and 20. Kitchen sinks, as compared to bathroom sinks, are especially prone to rough handling and therefore need to be thick. The 14 to 16 gauge numbers are recommended for farmhouse copper sinks although they tend to be more expensive as compared to higher gauges.
When it comes to copper content, it is important to understand that not all copper consists of similar materials. Some copper materials can contain harmful substances such as lead and mercury. As you buy a copper sink, ensure that it contains 99 percent copper and does not include any toxic metals. The cheaper you find a sink is, the higher the likelihood of it being contaminated by other materials.
B ) Copper Style
Copper apron sinks are liked for their antique look. Their brownish color creates a traditional appearance in a room. There are however different style you can choose from while still retaining the preferred decor. Specifically, you can choose from either smooth or hammered copper. Smooth copper is ideal for modern decor because of its smoother and sleeker finish. Hammered copper, on the other hand, is more rustic and blends in perfectly with a rustic decor.
One advantage of hammered copper is that it is better able to withstand dents and scratches. Even if it sustains them, they are not as visible. Smooth copper, however, tends to show scratches and dents very prominently. It is therefore not ideal if you are going to use it in any rough tasks such as washing large pots.
Another style option to choose from is either double or single. A double sink provides space for different tasks such as washing hands, utensils, e.t.c. Some manufacturers have gone as far as creating triple sinks to accommodate more uses.
C ) Sink Finishes
The finish on your farmhouse sink is very important because it determines your kitchen’s look to a great extent. Mainly due to the prominence of the sink brought about by its large size. The finish can also affect the changes (patina) that will take place in the sink over a period of time.
Chocolate and caramel finishes tend to be darker than a standard copper apron sink. An advantage of this darker finish is that it obscures any scratches that take place on the sink. To maintain the finishing on the sink, owners are advised to apply a protective wax on it regularly.
If you don’t prefer any finish, you can also buy an unfinished sink which is shinier and can easily so any scratches. To maintain this type of finish all one needs to do is use a copper cleaner on the sink around once every six weeks. Unfinished sinks have the advantage of quality aging. Over time, they develop an attractive natural patina which darkens them and adds to their beauty and value.
Tips From the Copper Professionals
Our next blog post will go over the many pros and cons of copper sinks, as a reference for aiding you in choosing if a copper farmhouse sink is right for your kitchen.
If you have any other questions, would like to schedule an installation or need to contact us for any reason call us at 1-888-431-4677 or fill out our contact form or email us at [email protected] today!