Classic farmhouse drainboard sinks look quite charming in a vintage kitchen. Whether you are looking for a reproduction drainboard sink, or are hunting for vintage, I’ve pulled together all my research to help you find what you are looking for in this buyer’s guide. Overall, I count 9 difference sources depending on the age and material of farmhouse drainboard sink that you are looking for.
1. Authentic vintage farmhouse drainboard sinks:
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
If you are the owner of an older porcelain enamel bathtub or sinks — or are considering buying one — please see my May 2, 2016 story Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any age; this article focuses on raising awareness around three potential sources of lead dust exposure in your home – old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any era — and steps you can take to assess and, if required, address them.
A note on terminology: I have seen the terms “Porcelain Enamel”, “Enamel”, and “Porcelain” each used to describe the top coating that is baked onto metal substrates on bathtubs, sinks and other products. As such, you may see the various terms used interchangeably on this blog by me and by others who are interviewed or commenting. To verify what types of products you have and what they are made of, do your own research including consulting with the original manufacturer or your own professionals.
Prewar and mid century drainboard kitchen sinks were, I believe, generally manufactured using a cast iron or steel substrate, covered with porcelain enamel. They were available in white…… and in pastels and other colors, as in Erica’s Jadeite kitchen (shown above.)
Here is slide show of 16 vintage Kohler kitchens that give you some idea of the designs.
Where to find vintage drainboard sinks:
Vintage sinks may be found at salvage companies, on craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, ebay, etsy, at your area ReStore / Habitat for Humanity, etc. See this story I did on Ken, who specializes in collecting and selling original-condition vintage kitchen sinks.
2. Re-porcelain a vintage sink:
If you already have a vintage drainboard sink in hand, but it needs restoration, it can be done. Yes, vintage sinks can be re-porcelained. Custom Ceramic Coatings is one resource we found that can re-porcelain cast iron sinks (photo above is an example).
Reader Barb had a porcelain-enamel-on-steel sink (not cast iron) and found another source Independence Porcelain Enamel, to reporcelain it.
- Do your own research with these companies to ask what materials and processes they use in their re-porcelaining processes.
3. Cleaning a porcelain enamel drainboard sink:
I reached out to Kohler to ask about various cleaning products for their porcelain enamel on cast iron products made today. See this story:
Please consult with the manufacturer of your sink you buy new; and again, if your sink is vintage take care considering this story.
4. Farmhouse sink reproductions — porcelain enamel on cast iron:
Now I’m diving into reproduction / new farmhouse drainboard sinks with porcelain enamel coatings on cast iron substrates.
I know of several sources for a reproductions of apron style farmhouse drainboard sinks. These designs below are porcelain enamel on cast iron — the very old school way to make these sinks.
The first is the Sanford Cast Iron Kitchen sink with drain board and apron from Signature Hardware — like Laura used in her adorable summer cottage kitchen.
Above: Strom Plumbing also has a 42″ design – also in cast iron.
Another available option — also in cast iron — is the Clarion farmhouse drainboard sink. It is made by Strom Plumbing and marketed by a number of companies such as our longtime advertiser, deabath.com — but you can shop around. This apron sink is 60″ wide.
These sinks will all use a vintage style wall-mount kitchen faucet. As some examples, see our story 8 vintage style wall-mount kitchen faucets.
Another source for cast iron drainboard sink reproductions, like the one shown above (more designs on their website): Ready To Re — now apparently called “Watermark Fixtures”.
5. Steel drainboard kitchen sinks:
Next up: Drainboard kitchen sinks made out of metal — steel, mostly, but check before you buy.
- Elkay still makes a number sink-top drainboard sinks very much like the porcelain enamel on cast iron. See this story on the different styles of Elkay stainless steel sinks.. above: Read this story about how Joe used one of these Elkay steel drainboards to replace a damaged original sink in his kitchen.
- Second, we did a separate round up eight places to find drop-in stainless steel sinks.
- See this story, too, about ways to do stainless steel sinks and countertops in your kitchen. Check local building codes to ensure these are to code in your locality.
- Also check companies like Ikea and Franke, they may have some “drop in designs”.
Need a faucet? I like the one that Joe used. It looks like this Chicago model.
I also am a #1 fan of Dishmasters — I use one in my kitchen!
6. Reproduction farmhouse sinks available from Nelson Bath Tub, Inc.:
Next up: Modern technology allows for drainboard sink reproductions to be made from modern polymeric materials.
Nelson Bath Tub offers six reproduction farmhouse drainboard sinks manufactured using gelcoat and fiberglass reinforced polyester resins. Above is the “Apron Sink”.
Above: Apron sink with double drainboards.
Above: The second sink from Nelson Tub and Bath is a 66″ wide double sink double drainboard farmhouse sink.
Above: Nelson’s double bowl, double drainboard 60″ sink.Above: Farmhouse sink from Nelson’s with single bowl.
Above: Nelson’s 42″ single bowl, single drainboard sink. And be sure to check their website, they continue to add new designs each year, it seems.
7. Reproduction drainboard sinks in other materials (including colors)
Another new option is this Blanco sink (*affiliate link) lists for $933 plus shipping. While this model has the lovely drainboard — and appears to be made of a composite including hard rock granite — it is not what we’d describe as “retro” in style. Still, we’ll put it out there for you. This model is available in eight neutral colors — but also has the drawback of no faucet holes — limiting counter top options.
Diane says
I have an original sink that looks like #5 except the apron is much shorter (about 2 “). The tin bottom enclosure has finally given way to the rust that was holding it together and the faucets are rusting also. So both have to be replaced. The sink is in reasonable condition and would like to avoid the expense of recoating. Can you give me any tips or recommendations on enclosing the bottom (without a curtain) and getting new faucets and spigot? Thank you so much.
Pam says
We live in a house built in 1939 and when we purchased it nothing had been updated since that time. Our kitchen had a single sink like the one in photo 11 of the slide show. I love that sink, but it was not in the best of shape and I really wanted to get rid of the linoleum countertops. We had it re-porcelained and undermounted in the granite counter. I am happy to share before and after photos if anyone is interested. It looks amazing.
Pam says
Hi, I read your comment from Oct. 22, 2013 regarding the sink you had re-porcelained. Has it withstood the test of time? We love our very old sink w/ drainboard but the finish is just about wore off in the sink.
Pam Trowbridge says
It is still wonderful. I do fuss at anyone who leaves something that could stain, but I think I would be that way with a new sink as well. We are very happy we did this.
JD says
The farmhouse sink was a serious selling point for me on this house and fitted kitchen. My only challenge is trying to figure out what I’m willing to sacrifice in the kitchen to fit a dishwasher. Definitely NOT the charming windowseat (which, interestingly, is far too low below the window to be a seat with a view). And because the lower cupboards are sunken, I am loathe to ruin the look of that. So for now it’s the old fashioned way with a dish drainer, and so far it is totally worth it.
A big nod of appreciation to Pam for this fabulous site and the mid-century modest inspiration!
–jd
Nancy Noyes says
Love your site! Looking at picture #5 brought me back to my grandparents’ kitchen. Their landlords had the kitchen updated for them when they moved into the house in 1941 and it had metal cabinets with this same double sink, only it also had a cover that was the same Formica(?) as the counters and edged with stainless steel. It fit into the frame made by the counters (also flat sided and stainless edged) and would slide left or right to cover that side’s sink and drainboard. I suppose it would just lift off if someone wanted to use both sides at once, but I adored that sink and wish I had one on our house now!
Nancy Noyes says
(And that shoud have said ‘in’ our house, not ON it! LOL)
Shea Ingram says
My first house in Missouri was built in 1896 and had a farmhouse sink. I loved that sink and when we sold the house I had it placed in the contract that when the new owners remodeled they would give me the sink. They did and I have been moving that silly thing across country for nearly 40 years. I finally have a house in which I can use that sink and believe me, I am one excited old lady. I am restoring a 1924 bungalo. The only modern update to the kitchen was a stainless steel sink and several layers of flooring. Cabinets, counters all are original as is the beadboard and huge windows.
I came across a teardown of an old farmhouse 3 years ago. The site manager let me go inside but would not allow me to salvage the old sink from the kitchen. Farmhouse sink with dual drainboards. And it was a gorgeous shade of green. They just leveled the house with everything in it except the copper wiring and pipes. Stupid stupid stupid.Oh well.
Dyan says
Hi
I just want to buy the green sink !
I’ve looked everywhere. Is it available ?
Thanks
pam kueber says
See the link below the photo — that is Emily’s, in her kitchen. You may be able to get Nelson’s to make you one, I think Ken told me he was experimenting with color. Contact them http://www.nelsonsbathtubinc.com/reproductions.html
K S Kaplan says
Pam: It has been a year since I realized I have to replace my dual drainboard single bowl sink because the faucet is hinky, and there is no glaze or much porcelain left in the basin. I started watching HGTV a lot, and I keep seeing sinks, some with base cabinet, that would be a good replacement, and most of what I see are not the ubiquitous IKEA sink.
Just thought it would be nice to find a way to source sink options available outside the USA. My online searches lead nowhere, and HGTV does not make it easy to ask questions.
Because I do not want to gut my Atomic Kitchen. I am about to just find a stainless drop in sink and new faucet, but I know it will look terrible, and no backsplash.
and, due to an iron in water mystery, forced to do stainless (and not the Elkay -too $$$).
pam kueber says
We now have a complete resource page: https://retrorenovation.com/farmhouse-drainboard-sinks/
If you don’t need drainboards — go Kohler cast iron double sink.
Voila!
ErinO says
Ikea also has drainboard sinks. Only stainless steel, but maybe an affordable option for some? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/10481/
pam kueber says
Yes, we spotlight these in our stories about stainless steel sinks — but you know, based on your comment, we’re doing to do a big round up of just drop-in stainless steel drainboard sinks.
Jay says
Pam, not in the market for a farmhouse sink but I sure enjoyed the photo gallery and all the other pictures. Nice for Friday! Thanks!
Janet in CT says
Great subject this morning. I was looking at #3 and #4 in the slide show and wondering about what looks like a lid on one of the sinks in each picture. The freestanding one is obviously a very deep sink as shown. Could this be a sink for soaking clothes, with a lid to cover it to keep anything else out? Does someone know the purpose of it? At first I thought for deep pots but then why the lid? I especially like the following ones with the trim down along the sides that curves down in front with the countertop – very nice looking. Oh, got a typo – I think you mean two readers SO far, not who far, under the re-porcelaining topic! Oh, to find one of those colored ones!
Shari D. says
Janet – Those two sinks you are referring to with the lids over the very deep side – if you notice too there is a hose running from the faucet that doesn’t appear on the others as well. That very deep “sink” is actually a “state of the art electric sink” – translate to an automatic dishwasher! You’ll notice too there is what looks like a garbage disposal underneath both of those sinks – I believe that is the motor that makes the whole thing work. They really were trying hard post-War to provide every conceivable modern convenience to the new housewives busy with the mushrooming “Baby Boom!”