The manufacture of copper farm sinks is performed all over the world, but the areas most famous for this art are Mexico and India, where they have been hand making copper sinks for many hundreds of years, and have been passing down this skill from one generation to the next. The traditional hand hammering of copper into the shapes of sinks means that every one is unique and has it’s own character. The mass manufacture of copper sinks in the US, while being of good quality, are all the same and do not provide that uniqueness. Because the copper that is manufactured in the US is smooth, you need to be extra careful with these products. The process of hammering the copper into shape actually makes it stronger, and the smooth designs will not be as robust.


The larger the copper farmhouse sink, the more attention needs to be payed to it when purchasing. Once a sink gets over a particular size, it becomes necessary to weld the pieces together, and the quality of the weld is of the utmost importance. It should be a copper weld, as any other type of weld will get discolored over time and stand out from the rest of the sink. A lower quality weld may even result in a leaking sink, which can be costly and difficult to repair.

Another thing that needs to be considered when purchasing a copper farm house sink is the quality of the actual copper. Ideally a sink should be manufactured using pure copper. As this style of sink becomes more and more popular, you will find cheaper brands out there that have been made from a copper alloy, and some of these alloys are known to contain traces of lead. Having lead in a place that is going to be in direct contact with food, eating utensils or personal hygiene is definitely not a good idea, and should be avoided at all costs. Some people will age the copper before making the sink, while other people prefer to have their copper age naturally over time.

A copper sink is a living item in your house, as it will constantly change colors as it naturally ages, and as the light shines on it in a certain way. Some people prefer to stop this colorisation process by having their sinks lacquered, however lacquering is not usually recommended for sinks that are used in food preparation, they are usually more popular in the bathroom. Some people will use harmful chemicals to create a patina finish, so this is another thing you should check with the retailer before purchasing.

A hand crafted copper sink from Mexico or India is going to cost you a pretty penny, but it is a grand home decoration, and well worth the price. Copper sinks are usually a fair bit more expensive than your more traditional porcelain or stainless steel sinks. One of the things that will affect the price of the sink is the thickness of the actual copper. The copper is measured in gauges, 16 gauge is the thinnest, and the better quality sinks can go up to 20 gauge. The higher the gauge, the more the sink is going to cost you, and the heavier it will be as well.

Of course, the farmhouse style of sink is not the only style that uses copper, just about any type of sink that you can think of will have a copper version. One trend that is becoming very popular in bathrooms is the copper vessel sink. For the kitchen a copper undermount sink can also be very effective, it all comes down to personal preference, and what goes best with your existing design. When purchasing your copper sink, you may want to enquire about matching copper faucets as well. Although copper and stainless steel can work quite effectively in some instances, a copper faucet will really enhance the traditional look you are trying to achieve with your sink.

One reason that copper is finding such favour in both the kitchen and bathroom is because it has natural anti bacterial properties. Scientific tests have proven that stainless steel can harbor bacteria for anywhere up to 40 days, while the natural healing properties of copper will eradicate those same bacteria in a matter of hours. This means that cleaning your sink does not have to be such a big issue. In fact, it is important that you are careful about the cleaning products that you use on a copper sink. Products and wipes that are too abrasive will end up damaging and discoloring the copper. Your best bet is to use a soft cloth and simply wipe it over with warm soapy water on a regular basis.

One of the best techniques to use before purchasing a copper sink is to give it the “penny test”. This involves placing a few pennies in the bottom of the sink to check that the color of the copper in the sink matches the color of the pennies. If the color of the sink is lighter, then you will have problems in the long term. As mentioned previously, copper will change color over time, and these blemishes will stand out like a sore thumb. If the pennies are difficult to see in the bottom of the sink (like in the video below), then it means that your sink has been aged, and will keep its natural color for many years to come.