Article updated by Bobby on July 9th, 2022 / Added live pricing for all products listed. Removed the Tegan sink from Signature Hardware for issues with discoloration. Sticking with three top recommendations moving forward.
Fireclay is the most popular farmhouse sink material.
However, there are a handful of other options that can provide a different, more unique aesthetic. One of our favorites is the copper farmhouse sink, which can come in the typical copper coloring or a variety of darker colors that can be helpful for certain types of kitchen designs and decors.
In this article, I'm going to round up some best copper farmhouse sink picks based on the following factors:
- Copper percentage of material
- Reinforced corners
- Sink thickness or gauge
- Peripheral features (drain, accessories, etc.)
- Reputation (user reviews)
- Personal experience (seen, used, research)
If you're interested in a new sink but you don't want to limit yourself to copper, checkout my roundup of the best farmhouse sink options with fireclay and stainless steel also represented.
For those of you that are only interested in copper, here's a quick rundown of what I'll recommend:
Best Copper Farmhouse Sinks (our top 3 picks)
Pic | Name | Size | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fossil Blu Luxury 14-Gauge Copper Farmhouse Sink | 33 x 10 x 22 inches | |
 | Sinkology K614-B66 Coper Farmhouse Sink | 32 x 21.5 x 8 inches | |
 | Sinkology SK302-30AC-AMZ Courbet Apron Front Sink | 30 x 22 x 8 inches |
I'll get into some details about what to look for in the top copper farmhouse sinks, including the following specs and features:
- Size and dimensions
- Compatibility with garbage disposal
- Apron front
- Accessories
Copper Farmhouse Sink Sizes
Make sure that whatever contractor you're using to install your new sink has the dimensions for the sink you buy before he starts. He'll need them for sizing new cabinets and countertops or cutting existing ones. Note that we've provided dimensions for each copper farmhouse sink reviewed in this article
We would still advise DIY folks to contact a licensed contractor for a project like this, especially because copper farmhouse sinks can be quite heavy.
For reference, here are a few of the most common copper farmhouse sink widths:
- 30 inches
- 33 inches
- 36 inches
Copper Farmhouse Sink Installation Considerations
Installing a copper farmhouse sink is no different than any other and everything we recommend here will be installed with an undermount support system. This means the lip of the sink will rest underneath the countertops and will be supported from underneath.
To make sure your contractor has all the information he needs, be sure to provide him with the following:
- Width of your sink
- Depth
- Weight
As long as your contractor has this information, he'll be able to install your farmhouse sink regardless of the material it's made from.
1. Fossil Blu Luxury 14-Gauge Copper
This is a fairly heavy sink with about 40 pounds of copper. You'll need to get this number to your contractor so he can make sure the sink's weight will be properly supported.
When we had ours installed (though it was a fireclay farmhouse sink), our contractor did some additional framing underneath to make sure it wouldn't fall.
The same should probably be done with this model.
It's a pricier sink, but it's nearly 100% pure copper that has been hammered by hand with reinforced corners. These sinks are also welded by hand using a technique called TIG welding (uses tungsten) before they're hammered in to create the textured look of the exterior.
The hammering also helps to hide scratches, stains, and general imperfections that can occur over time.
Pros
Cons
2. Sinkology SEK307-33
We like the SEK307 for a couple of reasons.
First, it uses a heavyweight 17-gauge copper which cannot be bent by hand. It weighs about 40 pounds, close to the Fossil Bleu sink we just looked at.
The second reason we like the SEK307 is that it's two inches shallower than most farmhouse sinks, which provides some posture relief during use and allows you to bend down less. It's surprising what a significant difference this makes, but for those with back problems or who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it's a great feature.
Note that the apron front is exposed but is not curved. Instead, it just sits in a straight line.
The only concern we'd have here is discoloration of the copper over time, though that's an issue you'll run into with almost any copper sink, just because it's the nature of the metal. You have the same hammered look that we saw in the Fossil Bleu sink, though it's not quite as pronounced and doesn't do quite as good of a job at hiding imperfections and discoloring.
Still, around half the price, it's a much higher-value option, especially with the 17-gauge solid copper.
Pros
Cons
3. Signature Hardware Tegan Double Basin*
We've seen several reports of this sink having issues with discoloration, though we've left this section up as a reference. If you do go with the Tegan, we'd definitely recommend keeping after it with a copper care/polishing kit.
For customers without a garbage disposal:
This particular copper farmhouse sink does not come with drains, which means you'll need to purchase two separately (one for each basin) if that's needed. If you do have a garbage disposal, it won't matter.
The sink itself has a lot of appeal for those who value size (the sink is 36 inches wide) and who want the double basin. Otherwise, it's similar to the other two sinks we've looked at, made of pure copper with an exposed, textured apron front.
You're paying extra for the additional work that goes into creating the two basins, so make sure that's at the top of your feature list if you go with this sink.
If you don't want the double, the other two options we've looked at are better choices for you.
Personally, I prefer a single basin just because it feels more roomy and spacious. The double basin, while helpful in some scenarios, just always felt too small and crowded to me.
Pros
Cons
4. Sinkology SK302-30AC
The newer version of the SK302 comes with a grid and a matching drain, saving you the headache of having to buy those items separately like we see with the Signature Hardware double basin.
Sinkology uses 16-gauge copper in the SK302 and the same textured finished we've seen in the other models. This sink is a couple inches small than the SEK307, measuring 30 inches across, which means we'd recommended it for smaller households, perhaps homes with one or two people or where you don't make a lot of dishes.
It's also a bit lighter at only 34 pounds, which will make for an easier installation process.
Pros
Cons
Pros and Cons of a Copper Farmhouse Sink
The copper farmhouse sink appeal is largely aesthetic. It might be helpful in situations where you need a darker-colored sink to fit a certain type of decor. They're also less likely to crack than a fireclay or porcelain sink, yet more prone to discoloration and scratching.
Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons:
Pros of Copper Farmhouse SinkS
- Darker aesthetic can be desirable depending on the decor of your kitchen
- Not prone to cracking
- More durable
- Larger size and more space than a drop-in sink (true of all apron and farmhouse sinks)
Cons Copper Farmhouse Sinks
- Prone to discoloration
- Can be louder in terms of dishes clanking
- Generally more expensive
Were it not for the issues copper sinks can have when it comes to maintaining their color, they'd be essentially the perfect farmhouse sink. But the problem of discoloration shows up because you're dealing with a type of metal, and - in this case - that metal is constantly being worn down by water, chemicals, and food waste.
Keeping a copper sink clean and using copper polish can help alleviate this problem quite a bit. We'll talk more about the cleaning process later.
But most people who like the look of a copper farmhouse sink will be willing to tolerate the additional cleaning that might be necessary, just because the copper aesthetic is so unique and appealing.
Features to Consider
We've touched on a lot of the features and quality concerns already, as we've based our rating system off the most important ones. But to summarize, we'll mention those features and quality concerns here, one at a time.
Copper Quality (gauge/Purity)
The thickness of copper is measured in gauges. Typically copper gauges for sinks will be 14, 16, and 17. You should also pay attention to how pure the metal is. Most of the copper farmhouse sinks we considered were 99% copper without any additives. This means they're heavier, but also a great deal stronger.
Number of Bowls
As is the case with any farmhouse sinks, copper sinks can have one or two basins or bowls. This is a straightforward feature to consider and is entirely a matter of your preference. As I've alluded to earlier, my wife and I prefer the single bowl farmhouse sink, just because it feels a lot more spacious.
Cabinet Size
The bulk of farmhouse sinks will measure a width between 30 and 36 inches, where 33 inches are the most common.
Your contractor will need to know the width, length, and depth of the sink you want ahead of time to cut cabinets and countertops.
He'll also use this information to build framing beneath the sink to make sure there's enough structural support.
Warranty
The warranties for copper farmhouse sinks are structured similarly to most other farmhouse sinks, in that they'll provide what's called a "limited lifetime warranty." This warranty will cover defects like cracks, but not stains or subtle scratches. Just keep an eye on this as it can change depending on the manufacturer.
What's the best way to clean a copper farmhouse sink?
With any copper-based product, you'll need a specialized copper polish to clean it properly, in addition to your typical warm water and soap with a soft cloth routine. Here are a couple products that my mother-in-law uses to clean her copper sink that have worked well:
These products not only clean and polish your copper sink, but they'll also help protect it from corrosion and will dramatically slow the aging process.
Additional steps you can take would be to dry out your sink with a towel as often as possible and to avoid using harsh chemicals for cleaning. You should also keep in mind that acidic foods like lemons or tomatoes can be particularly hard on a copper surface.
Conclusion
If you like the look of copper, the downsides of having to keep the metal polished are not that big of an issue. Again, I think there are pros and cons to all farmhouse sink materials, so I wouldn't let the discoloration concerns discourage you.
Make sure you look at the copper thickness and purity and the warranty offered by the manufacturer.
Otherwise, it's a matter of finding a look that you like and something that will fit the established decor of your kitchen. If that's copper, the four sinks listed in this article are my best recommendations.