Copper Farmhouse Sinks: Hammered vs. Smooth, Sizes & Care

A copper farmhouse sink brings warm color and a handmade look to a kitchen, and unlike stainless steel or fireclay, its finish keeps changing after it's installed. To show what really differs from one sink to the next, we compared all 65 Magnus Home Products copper farmhouse sinks in our catalog at the time of writing: 13 named lines in five widths, from 25 to 42 inches.

What is a copper farmhouse sink?

A farmhouse sink, also called an apron-front sink, has a finished front panel (the apron) that stays exposed instead of hiding behind a cabinet door. In copper, the apron is where most of the design happens: hammered texture, an embossed pattern or a plain, smooth face. According to the product listings, every Magnus copper farmhouse sink we carry shares the same basics:

• 16-gauge copper, made by hand, so each sink can vary slightly in color and measurements (dimensions are listed to within ± 1/2 inch).
• A living finish that will patina with time, protected at first by a clear lacquer and then honey beeswax.
• A standard 3 1/2-inch drain opening that works with garbage disposals, a bottom sloped slightly toward the drain, and no internal welds in the bowls.
• Similar proportions: most are about 9 1/2 inches tall and 22 inches front to back.

Hammered copper sink or smooth?

Texture is the biggest visual choice. Six lines are hammered (Atoka, Sinclair, Sloane, Verdin, Viki and Galor), and Dolton is smooth. Wheaton has a hammered apron with a smooth bowl, and Geneva is the reverse. The other four put an embossed design on the apron: vine (Ashland), grapevine (Lynn), weave (Ganston) or floral (Gancher).

• Hammered breaks up reflections, so water spots and everyday scuffs tend to be less noticeable. Example: the Magnus Atoka 33", hammered throughout.
• Smooth gives a simpler look and shows the copper's color as one even surface. Example: the Magnus Dolton 33".
• Mixed or embossed puts the detail where you want it. The Magnus Geneva 33" double bowl keeps the apron plain and puts the texture inside the bowls.

Two finish details are easy to miss in photos. Verdin and Viki pair an antique copper interior with a darker copper exterior. And every Lynn listing says its patina is applied with a French hot process, with the color entrenched.

"Not listed" means the listing doesn't describe the finish inside the bowl.

Copper farmhouse sink sizes and bowl layouts

Most of the choice sits at 33 and 36 inches (41 of the 65 models). Width also decides your bowl options. The 25" and 30" sizes are single bowl only, 42" is double bowl only, and 33" and 36" offer a single bowl or a double bowl split 50/50 (two equal bowls) or 60/40 (one larger bowl for big pans and a smaller one for rinsing).

*Prices are from our catalog at the time of writing and can change. Check each product page for current price and availability.

Two findings stand out in the prices at the time of writing. First, a double bowl isn't automatically the pricier choice. At 36 inches, single bowls run $1,045–$1,375 and doubles $1,095–$1,375, and in the Ashland and Dolton lines the 36-inch single costs more than the 36-inch double. Second, 42 inches has the widest spread ($1,315–$1,895): the Magnus Viki 42" sits at the low end, while the Ashland, Dolton and Sinclair 42-inch models share the top price.

A single bowl fits sheet pans and big stockpots. A double, like the Magnus Lynn 36" 60/40, lets you wash on one side and rinse or stack on the other. Our Kitchen Sink Buying Guide covers bowl layouts and other sink materials.

Workstation copper sinks: the Sloane

A workstation sink comes with accessories made to sit across the bowl, so you can prep, rinse and drain in one spot. The Sloane is the only workstation design among our copper farmhouse sinks: a hammered single bowl in 30, 33 and 36-inch widths that includes a colander (7" x 18 1/4", 4" deep) and a cutting board (10" x 18 1/4", 1/2" thick).

At 33 inches, the Magnus Sloane 33" is priced within the range of the other 33-inch single bowls at the time of writing, so the accessories don't push it into a higher price tier. At 30 and 36 inches it sits at the top of the single-bowl range.

Gauge: what 16-gauge means

Gauge describes the thickness of the copper sheet, and the scale runs backward: the lower the number, the thicker the metal. All 65 sinks here are 16-gauge, and thicker copper is stiffer than thinner sheet, which matters in a sink that handles heavy pots every day. When you compare copper sinks from different sources, check the gauge in the specifications; a sink listed as 18- or 20-gauge is made from thinner copper.

Patina and care

Copper is a living finish, so your sink's color will change as it develops a patina. Magnus's care instructions for copper recommend:

• Wash with mild soap and water, then dry with a clean, soft cloth.
• Wipe the sink dry after each use. In a hard-water area, Magnus says drying after each use is a must to prevent deposit buildup.
• Apply a copper wax every 15 to 20 days to maintain the original finish; the listings note that wax helps slow patina development.
• Don't use copper or silver cleaners, abrasives, or harsh chemicals such as acid or bleach.
• Avoid putting hot pans, rubber mats or sponges in the sink, which may cause discoloration.

The patina itself is a normal part of copper, not a defect, and Magnus notes that copper is corrosion resistant and won't rust.

Installation notes

• Cabinet: an apron-front sink needs a farmhouse (apron-front) sink base cabinet, or a standard sink base your installer modifies, because the apron takes the place of the top of the cabinet front.
• Measure: compare the inside width of your sink base cabinet with the sink's overall width and front-to-back depth on the product page, and have your installer confirm the right cabinet size.
• Sink on site first: since each sink is handmade and listed to within ± 1/2 inch, have the actual sink on hand before the cabinet front is cut and the countertop is templated.
• Support: the sink rests on a support frame or rails inside the cabinet, set so the rim meets the countertop.
• Faucet: the listings don't mention faucet holes, so plan for a countertop or wall-mounted faucet. See How to Install a Wall-Mounted Kitchen Faucet.

Have a licensed plumber or experienced installer confirm the cabinet, support and plumbing details before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Will a copper farmhouse sink change color?

Yes. Every one of these sinks is listed as a living finish that will patina with time. The original lacquer and beeswax, plus regular copper wax, help slow the change.

Is a hammered copper sink harder to clean?

No. Care is the same as for a smooth sink: mild soap and water, then dry it. Most listings note rounded or easy-to-clean inside corners.

Can I use a garbage disposal with a copper sink?

Yes. Every sink in this guide accepts a standard 3 1/2-inch drain and works with garbage disposals.

What size copper farmhouse sink should I get?

Start with your sink base cabinet. The 33 and 36-inch sizes have the most choices (19 and 22 models).

Find all of these sinks in our Copper Farmhouse Sinks collection, or see Magnus copper on a larger scale in our Magnus copper pedestal tub comparison.