The Apron SinkAn Introduction to the Apron Sink
The apron sink is also commonly referred to as farmhouse sinks because it is traditionally found in country homes. Most credit the apron sink as the pioneer of today's modern day kitchen design. Today, this sink is still being incorporated into households that would like to revive early 20th century themes in their kitchen, thereby providing a cosier feeling to their culinary experience. Believe it or not, the sink that you choose for your kitchen will say alot about your taste level so it pays to spend just a little more time in choosing the right one. If you are not sure on which one to choose, an apron sink is always a safe bet!
Benefits of the Apron Sink
What differentiates the apron sink from other modern kitchen sinks is that fact that the former sink has a much deeper basin or bowl. The dramatic difference in depth was because the older apron sink needed to accommodate larger sized kitchen appliances such as pots and pans. After all, large families used to live in country houses together which meant that cooking meals were intended for large audiences every day.
Besides this very practical feature, the apron sink also had a deeper bowl in order to allow both pots and pans to soak in the sink water long enough to remove excess food stuck to the appliances. The sinks also differed in terms of its frontal design. The front of an apron sink juts out over the kitchen counter in order to prevent extra suds or sink water to drop on to the rest of the carpentry in the kitchen.
One other interesting difference is the fact that a typical apron sink did not contain any faucet holes. The traditional faucet was instead fastened to the sink cabinet and jutted out over the sink. This design meant that a damaged apron sink could be easily unassembled and fixed without having to fuss over removing the faucet beforehand.
All one really needed to do was to unplug the drainpipe and have the apron sink lifted out, as opposed to first having to figure out how to cut the water flow and have faucets disconnected before handling the damaged apron sink.
The reason why the apron sink evolved was because the family size in country homes started to dwindle and the size of sinks subsequently shrunk according to the needs of the household occupants. The good news is that this sink is now making its comeback either in porcelain or a stainless steel body.
Today's apron sink also comes in plenty of designs such as a single bowl or a double bowl. Both bowls can also be positioned in all kinds of supporting base, regardless of whether it is a heavier piece or a traditional cabinet base.
The latest sink design features the sink made from copper, an interesting element that is capable of complimenting all kinds of kitchen themes. In terms of practicality, a copper sink is also very robust and is innately antibacterial. Copper also contains patina, which will allow is to naturally heal itself of superficial damages as well. Besides that, a copper sink will also protect wooden cabinetry from the dangers of being in close proximity with sink water.
The Copper Apron Sink
A copper apron sink is easily identifiable from the wide front panel but it is also wise to note that not all copper apron sinks are built the same. For one thing, copper used for these sinks can either be made from good or bad quality material. Sometimes, both good and bad copper can be mixed together as well. In order to prevent the problem of accidentally buying a copper sink made from phone wire, there are some precautions that you should take.
Product Warranty
When inspecting a potential copper sink, make sure that the product also comes with a warranty. Some copper sink manufacturers will even go as far as offering warranty that is transferable to the next owner of your house as well.
Product Material
Buying a copper sink from overseas may seem either lavish or economical, but it may also be hazardous. Unless your sink manufacturer hails from the United States, make sure you go through the raw material content used to create your copper zinc as it may actually contain poisonous material such as lead.
Manufacturer Information
While you are investigating the origins of your manufacturer, you may also want to log on the to the Internet and read reviews of sinks already produced and sold under the same brand. While this process may require a couple of hours, it sure beats having to live with a defunct copper sink taking up space in your kitchen. Owning a copper apron sink can be an investment, but it can also be a long term problem if you don't do your homework properly.
No Extra Coating, Please
A copper sink made from good quality materials should be able to withstand all kinds of damage, so it is needless to get one with an artificial coating of chemicals. Furthermore, your copper sink would also be antibacterial, so it doesn't make sense to cover it up with an extra layer of protection either.
Selecting Your Copper
If you feel overwhelmed by the large variations of copper sinks, a good rule of thumb would to pick a 16 gauge copper as this class of copper is robust and dense enough to be scraped upon and used on a daily basis. Since your copper sink is going to be comparatively large and heavy, make doubly sure that your manufacturer will also throw in a free installation service for you.
Depth Does Not Matter
While a deep sink looks lovely, it's also a cause of back strain during repairs. Refrain from getting that 10-inch deep sink and opt for a more reasonable 8-inch sink that can do just as much. Another point you should look out for are angled apron sink models. Sinks with plenty of angled or welded areas will deteriorate over long term usage and this could then cause water to leak out of your sink. Make sure to get a copper sink that has finished corners instead.
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