How to Install a Farmhouse Sink in an Existing Counter

While you were visiting a neighbor who just had a kitchen remodel, you couldn’t take your eyes off the new sink.  You’d never seen anything like it before, and it made that whole wall look spectacular.  It was easy to envision yourself standing over that sink looking out the window to the back yard, and you wanted one, too.

A nice farmhouse sink, yes.  That’s what my kitchen needs.  Maybe stainless steel, maybe cast iron with an enamel surface, or even copper.  Wow! 

Let me think about this.

What Is a Farmhouse Sink?

A farmhouse sink, also referred to as an apron sink or apron front sink, is deeper and wider than an ordinary kitchen sink.  With this increased capacity, they’re especially helpful to larger families whose kitchens don’t also include a dishwasher.  And they make an impactful statement in any kitchen.

But you just had a new countertop installed not too long ago, along with new low cabinets.  Does that rule out a farmhouse sink?

Can You Install a Farmhouse Sink in an Existing Countertop?

Sure, you can; it’s a pretty straightforward process.  Measurements become important when doing so, as does the structural strength of the under the cabinet.  But, yes, you can install a farmhouse sink in an existing kitchen structure without pulling your countertop.

Be sure to measure both the side-to-side and the front-to-back of your existing sink before you begin shopping.  It likely does not run the full side-to-side of the cabinet beneath but pay particular attention to the front-to-back measurement.  That depth is pretty locked in because of the wall the cabinet butts up against.

A few cuts and the careful removal of your existing sink and your farmhouse sink would be a go for your kitchen.  But, what about granite?

Can You Add a Farmhouse Sink in Existing Granite?

Sure you can.  To install a farmhouse sink in existing granite, measurements once again become important, and care must be shown for accuracy here. 

Of course, this task is made much easier if you are also installing new countertops along with your new farmhouse sink.  The countertops and cabinets will be measured and constructed to accommodate the installation of that new sink, and all will be much easier.

But, if it’s only the new farmhouse sink in existing granite, a few cuts will get the job done.  The cutting can be accomplished, once measured, with a circular saw, a cement saw, or a tile saw.

What about the cabinet, though?

Do I Need a Special Cabinet For a Farmhouse Sink, Or Can I Modify My Current One?

Because of their larger size and depending on the material you choose for your new farmhouse sink, they’re pretty heavy.  Some can weigh as much as 300 lbs when filled with water.  If your under cabinet was built without anticipating the extra weight, you might need to reinforce it a bit to support it. 

Extra framing of the under cabinet will be required, and you might want to hire a cabinet maker to help with this task if you’re not too handy yourself.  Also, by the nature of farmhouse sinks, part of the cabinet face will need to be removed.

Remember we mentioned farmhouse sinks are also known as apron sinks or apron-front sinks?  The front-facing side of the sink will be exposed, which is why part of the cabinet face needs to come off.  It’s one of the attractions of a farmhouse sink – – that exposed side blending in with the face of the remaining lower cabinets and the kitchen style. 

Can You Flush Mount a Farmhouse Sink?

Sure you can.  Actually, you have the same mounting options for a farmhouse sink as you do for a regular sink:

• Undermount:  It’s undermounted on three sides.  Remember we told you the front side is exposed? 
• Flush mount:  Mostly flush, although some may just a bit above the countertop level depending on the material; and,
• Drop-in:  The overmount farmhouse sink option is available, too.  As in all overmount sinks, though, you run the risk of creating a seam that is hard to keep clean.

Which mounting option you choose for your farmhouse sink will depend on countertop materials, sink material, ambiance preferences, the style of your kitchen, and the effect you are hoping to create.  But the options are there. 

So, How Hard Is It, Really, To Install A New Farmhouse Sink?

Any kitchen remodeling work can include some aspects the DIYer might not feel comfortable performing.  There are plumbing considerations for installing any new sink, and we’ve written of them before. Here, for instance, among others.

And we’ve also provided our list of the best kitchen sinks in another blog post.  That list includes some beautiful farmhouse sinks with specs and pictures.  You should check that out, too, and you’ll find it here.

YouTube is a rich source of information and how-to’s for just about anything, but in this case, we’re talking about installing a new farmhouse kitchen on existing counters/cabinets.

Here’s one for retrofitting a kitchen sink cabinet to accommodate a farmhouse model.

Our suggestion is to watch these videos and any others you find on point for your particular kitchen remodel and decide for yourself how easy or hard it is to install your new farmhouse sink.  You know your skill levels in carpentry and plumbing, and these will be especially helpful in deciding whether to give it your own try or whether a professional would be best.

We’ve given you the basic information on the essential considerations, and we’ve answered the basic questions to help you get started: 

• Yes, a regular sink can be replaced by a farmhouse style.
• Yes, one can be installed in an existing countertop, even granite.
• Yes, it can be installed in an existing cabinet with a little reinforcement.
• Yes, there are mounting options for a farmhouse sink, just as there are for regular sinks.
• Yes, there is a variety of materials to choose from, depending on your budget.

You can take it from there now. They are beautiful, and we don’t blame you for wanting one in your kitchen 🙂 They do make a statement.