How to Install a Farm Sink

A renewed popularity for farm sinks, or apron sinks, has been seen by the kitchen design industry over the last decade. New materials, including stainless steel, stone, cast iron and copper, combined with an old-fashioned sense of warmth make farm sinks the vessel of choice for many designers, builders and homeowners alike.
Installing a farm sink can be simple, but being prepared is essential. They do install differently than standard drop-in or under-mount sinks, so planning ahead to make sure you've got the right materials and base to work with are crucial.

Instructions

1

Assess your cabinetry. If you are building or remodeling a kitchen from the bottom up, you will be able to choose cabinets specifically made for apron sinks. They will have a cutout where the false drawer section below a sink would normally be. The depth and width of the cutout will vary, and it can usually be adapted to the size of sink you will be using. The importance of the cutout is that the doors underneath will be built according to the amount of space needed for the sink.

2

Decide if you want your sink to be 1) under-mounted, 2) mounted below your counter top (most farm sinks are mounted this way), or 3) top-mounted so that the rims or ledge of the sink sit on top of, or above, the counter top material. This decision will affect the depth of the cabinet cutout.
If you are using existing cabinetry, simply measure the height from about 1/2 to 1/4 inch below the false drawer section to the top of the cabinetry. This will give you an idea of the space you have available for the height of your sink. If this area is less than 6 inches, consider top mounting your sink or modifying the doors below the sink so that they can accommodate a farmhouse sink apron.

3

Find a sink that works with your cutout and counter top. Farm sinks come in a wide variety of sizes and materials. Some sinks are deeper or wider than others, so have your measurements in hand when picking out a sink. This will make installation a snap, and it will keep you from running into trouble in the installation.

4

Carefully make a rectangular cut in the counter top material. For sinks mounted below the counter top, the cutout should be approximately 1/4 inch narrower than the sink width, side-to-side. The front-to-back measurement of the cutout will vary, depending on how far out you'd like the sink to come from the cabinetry. Most farm sinks will be installed anywhere from flush with, to 1 to 4 inches out from the cabinetry. The front-to-back cutout of the counter top should accommodate this measurement, minus a 1/4 of an inch for overlap.
If your sink has pre-drilled holes for the faucet, the counter top should also be cut accordingly.

5

Place the sink. For under-mounted or rimless sinks, slide the sink into place inside your cabinetry. Depending on the material used in the sink (such as stone or cast iron), it may be necessary to build supports for the sink inside the cabinet. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for supporting the sink below its bowl. Rimmed sinks should be mounted so that the rim sits on top of the sub-board. The counter top will then be laid above the rims.
If the sink is top-mounted, the same process should be used, except that the rims will sit on top of the counter top material.

6

Seal gaps and overlaps with silicone sealant. This will keep water from leaking into these areas and causing mold or mildew growth inside the cabinetry. You sink manufacturer may recommend a different sealant; always follow manufacturer guidelines.

7

Install drain flanges. Follow manufacturer guidelines for installing drain flanges, drains, disposals and pea traps. You may need to modify pipes below the sink to accommodate the shorter space available due to the sink apron.

8

Install faucet. Install your faucet into pre-drilled holes in the back of the sink, or into the counter top or backsplash behind the sink. A wide variety of faucets are available to suit your needs.