Apron sink and farmhouse sink name the same thing: a deep sink whose front face is exposed and replaces part of the cabinet front. Manufacturers use the terms together. The real differences are how it mounts, what it weighs, and the custom cabinet and support frame it needs, plus the drain and supply room.
Are apron and farmhouse sinks the same thing?
Yes, for buying purposes. The Vintage Tub guide is titled "Stainless Steel Farmhouse Apron Front Sink," and White Haus writes "Front Apron Kitchen Sinks." Both describe the same design, so shopping for one term or the other will show you the same product.
What does set sinks apart is the material. White Haus's guide covers fireclay sinks, and Vintage Tub's covers stainless steel, and the material changes the weight and the countertop choices.
What does a farmhouse sink need from the cabinet?
This is the part that surprises people. Vintage Tub says to make sure you purchase the correct cabinet for the sink, and that farmhouse base cabinets should be 3 inches larger than the actual size of the sink. Vintage Tub also says additional floor and wall preparation may be required to avoid damaging the product.
The sink cannot just sit on a normal cabinet. The guides describe the same fix:
- 1Build a support frame inside the cabinet. White Haus shows a recommended design of four vertical and two horizontal wooden supports topped with a board. Vintage Tub's guide lists support options such as angle irons, 2 by 4 lumber and 3/4 inch plywood.
- 2Cut the cabinet front. Vintage Tub says to measure the actual height of the apron and add 1/16 inch to the dimension when you mark the cabinet front cutout.
- 3Set the sink and make sure it is level. The guides say the weight of the sink should be carried by the built supports, not by the cabinet front or the countertop, and to level the sink front to back and side to side.
The IPC has a rule that lines up with this. Section 405.3 says fixtures must be set level and in proper alignment with adjacent walls, and Section 405.6 says joints where fixtures meet walls or floors must be sealed.
How heavy is a farmhouse sink?
Heavy enough that the supports are the point of the job. White Haus says a filled sink weighs approximately 300 pounds, and that the base cabinet and the wood support frame must provide ample support to withstand that weight.
Because of the weight, White Haus says it is highly recommended that the sink be installed by professionals. White Haus adds that its sink is intended only for under-counter installations of solid-surface composite or natural stone countertops, and Vintage Tub says its sink is not recommended with a laminate countertop. So the sink you pick can limit the countertop you pick.
What does the plumbing need?
The plumbing is the same as any kitchen sink, but the tight cabinet and the frame change how it gets done.
Drain size. The 2024 IPC, in Section 422.2, says sinks must have a waste outlet not less than 1.5 inches in diameter, with a strainer or crossbar. In Chapter 7, Table 709.1 rates a domestic kitchen sink at 2 drainage fixture units with a 1.5 inch trap, and the rating stays the same with a food waste disposer, dishwasher or both. Section 416.2 says a domestic food waste disposer connects to a drain not less than 1.5 inches in diameter, and Section 416.4 says a disposer needs a supply of cold water protected against backflow.
Room for the lines. Both guides say to leave room. White Haus says to leave enough clearance in the support frame for the water supply lines and drainage system. If your faucet is a tall one, tell the countertop fabricator before the cut.
Alongside cabinet clearance, check deep-bowl and disposal drain height against the existing wall connection before ordering.
Supply and drain hardware. Vintage Tub's last step is to connect the drain and trap and the water supply connections to the faucet, then run water into the sink and check for leaks.
Access. The IPC's Section 405.2 says plumbing fixtures must be installed so as to afford easy access for cleaning both the fixture and the area around it. Think about how a plumber will reach the trap and the disposer once the frame and the sink are in.
Should you choose one for a remodel?
Choose it for the look, and plan for the work. The sink is a decision that involves the cabinet maker, the countertop fabricator and the plumber at the same time, so make the choice before the cabinet order is placed. White Haus says the supplier does not provide a cutout template for its fireclay sinks, so the actual sink is used to mark the cuts. That means the sink has to be on site.
If the plan also changes the drain location or adds a new fixture, check whether you need a permit. Our page on what plumbing work needs a permit in Phoenix explains the like-for-like test, and how to pick a bathroom sink for a remodel covers the same kind of planning for the bathroom. If a slow drain is what started the remodel, see how to fix a slow-draining sink first.
HQ Plumbing and Air is licensed and insured, takes emergency calls 24/7, and gives free estimates with an upfront price before work starts. See our plumbing services.
Not sure which material to pick? See the best material for a kitchen sink. For the general steps, see how to install a kitchen sink.