Kitchen Layout Options

Text by Blair Korchinski

The modern kitchen offers a variety of layout options. Which you choose will depend on your lifestyle as much as anything else. There are some considerations you should keep in mind when making your choices, however.

The first is that the kitchen is, above all else, a work area. In days past, that meant layout was determined by what was known as the work triangle between the refrigerator, the oven and stovetop, and the food preparation area. A secondary triangle between the garbage, sink and dishwasher was formed if possible. If the kitchen included a dining area, it was generally placed at one end of the room, with the work area at the other. This limited layout options. A u-shaped work area with the dining area near the kitchen entrance was common. Things have changed though.

The change that may be most significant is the number of appliances in the modern kitchen. In addition to a range and fridge, we now have bread-makers, slow cookers, microwaves, and deep fryers. Small appliances like the toaster may be replaced with larger items like the toaster oven. A cappuccino maker may now sit beside the traditional coffee maker. You may also want a television or computer in your kitchen. It is important to keep all of this in mind when planning your layout. You may want to modify the work triangle to suit the style of cooking you do most, or use a work line or square instead.

You will not only need space for all of these appliances, but electrical outlets and, in some cases, plumbing connections. Modern ranges and cook-tops require ventilation to the outdoors. Cable outlets for televisions and computers may be needed. Considering these things before you begin building will save you money and aggravation later. Storage is always a major issue in kitchen design. You should ensure that storage areas are easily accessible, with storage for items used on a regular basis closest to the work area and those used less often placed farther away.

Lighting also needs to be carefully planned. Gone are the days of a single fixture in the middle of the room, Today’s kitchens use low-voltage task lighting in combination with multiple ceiling fixtures to provide light where and when it is needed. By keeping your lighting needs in mind from the beginning, you can avoid having dark areas later and conserve energy over the long term.

Changes in eating habits have also changed kitchen layout. Roasts are still prepared, but stir-fries and ready-made meals that require only a stovetop are now much more common. As a society, we also barbeque a lot more now, often with part of the meal being cooked outside and the rest being prepared inside. Busy families often eat at different times and large, sit-down meals are less common. Families are smaller as well. These are all things that need consideration when planning the layout of your kitchen. An island with a small breakfast nook may be more practical for your lifestyle than a large table. Easy access to the barbeque area may be a prerequisite or something that you never use.

Adjacent rooms and the square footage available also affect kitchen layout. If you have a formal dining area, it should be easily accessible from the kitchen. You may want to consider a countertop or pony wall to make the transferring of food and dining ware as easy as possible. If you entertain a lot, you may prefer an open area that allows you to converse with your guests during meal preparation and clean up. Sometimes this will even encourage your guests to lend you a hand. If you have a tendency to leave dirty dishes in the sink for two or three days, you might prefer a kitchen closed off from the guest area.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the need to bring food into the kitchen on a regular basis. It is best to have a clear path between the entrance where you will be bringing groceries in and the kitchen.

While there are no hard and fast rules, a little forethought can save you a lot of problems later on and help to ensure that your kitchen suits your needs. Consider your lifestyle as well as your dietary likes and dislikes. It is your kitchen and unless you plan to sell your home soon, you should design it to suit yourself.

Bathroom Makeover Timeline

Text by Blair Korchinski

Bathroom makeovers are always a challenge. If you only have one bathroom, or one full bathroom, they are even more challenging. Even if you have multiple baths, it is likely that members of your household will end up sharing facilities they aren’t used to sharing. Careful planning will minimize the length of time you have to live without a bathroom.

For the purposes of this example, we’ll assume that you are doing the carpentry and drywall yourself, but have hired subcontractors for the plumbing, electrical, and tile work. Remember that because of the small size of the room, it is likely that only one contractor can work in there at a time. We’ll also assume that this is a complete makeover, with every fixture and one wall being moved.

Week One

Day 1: Have the plumber and electrician cut off service to the bathroom being renovated. If  possible, they should keep any service to the rest of the house operating.

Begin demolition. Remove toilet, sink and tub.

Strip flooring to sub floors.

Day 2: Finish demolition. Remove any walls that are to be relocated. If supporting walls  are being removed, remember to install temporary supports.

Inspect all inner walls, sub floors and joists for water damage.

Day 3: Begin rough carpentry.

Replace or repair any damaged sub floor, joists, or wall studs that need to be replaced.

Build any new walls.

Day 4: Continue rough carpentry.

Build any rough openings for windows and doors.

Day 5: Prepare floors as per instructions of the flooring contractor.

Install new window.

Week Two:

Day 6: Have plumber and electrician rough-in plumbing and wiring.

Day 7: Continue electrical and plumbing rough-in.

Day 8: Have inspection done.

Begin insulating outer walls.

Day 9: Finish insulation and install vapor barriers.

Begin installing wallboard, as per the instructions of tile installer.

Note: It is important that you use the right type of wallboard in the right places when doing a bathroom makeover.

Day 10: Begin taping and applying drywall compound.

Week 3

Day 11: Finishing taping and sanding.

Begin painting (primer coat).

Day 12: Finish painting.

Install tub, shower and vanity with sink.

Install cabinetry.

Day 13: Tile around tub.

Tile vanity.

Day 14: Tile floor.

Day 15: Tile grouting. (caulking)

Week four

Day 16: Touch-up painting.

Install toilet.

Have plumber make final hook-ups and install fixtures.

Day 17: Have electrician make final hook-ups and install fixtures.

Apply caulking.

Install door and door trim.

A bathroom can be done much more quickly of course. A bath and kitchen contractor may be able to complete a project like this in as little as week, assuming that everything goes exactly as planned.

Most major makeovers run closer to a month though, especially in older homes where more carpentry work tends to be needed. The small room means that there is seldom more than one thing happening at a time.

Redoing your bathroom, especially if you make an average room into a luxury room, is well worth the time.

Plumbing Options – Copper vs. Plastic

Text by Blair Korchinski

1Technology often changes the choice of construction materials. Two decades ago copper pipe was not only state of the art when it came to plumbing, it was the only choice. Not so today. We have a choice between copper and a range of plastics.

How does one choose? As with most renovation choices it is a matter of weighing the pros against the cons in your particular situation.

Copper is familiar to most people and some feel it is more durable. Plastic products transfer less temperature, and are more energy efficient as a result. Some areas still restrict the use of plastic products through building codes.

Copper is inexpensive, but takes some skill to work with. If you are doing the work yourself, you must not only learn to properly solder joints, but must buy a torch, a pipe cutter, emery paper, flux and solder. Your choice of joints is limited to the selection carried by your local plumbing supply and home store. Flexible copper tubing, while available, kinks easily and is not recommended for some applications. Joints must often be soldered in tight areas and there is a risk of fire. Leaking joints can be difficult to repair, especially for the novice.

The other side of copper is that it is readily available and has been in use for long enough that the codes are well-developed and easy to follow. Learning to solder fittings properly is not difficult and one can become proficient at it with practice. The tools and materials needed are inexpensive and readily available.

In many renovations copper is the choice made because it matches the existing plumbing. This makes joining it to existing plumbing extremely easy, but adaptors to join copper to plastic piping are available.

Plastic piping is becoming more and more common in both renovations and new construction. It is easy to use, quick to install, durable and adaptable.

There is more than one kind of plastic piping suitable for plumbing use. The most common are CPVC (Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing. Other types include PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and polyethylene. These latter types are most often used for non-pressure applications such as sewage, industrial applications where potability is not a concern, and underground applications where exposure to UV rays is not an issue. For the purposes of this article, we will deal only with CPVC and PEX products.

CPVC is generally available in non-flexible plastic piping. It is inexpensive and easy to use. Pipes and fittings are joined using glue that permanently welds the pipes together. To make a joint the pipe must first be cut with a pipe cutter or hacksaw, any burrs or rough edges sanded off, the pipe and fitting cleaned with a special solvent, then the proper glue applied and the pieces joined together. It is easy to do and, while attention must be paid to detail and you will become more proficient with practice, it requires no special skills.

When cutting CPVC piping, it is imperative that all cuts be straight, and that the proper solvent and glue be used.

PEX tubing is flexible enough that it can be gently curved around corners, reducing the number of joints required. It is joined together with fittings that require no glue or solder joints, and is even available in color-coded rolls to differentiate between hot and cold water lines.

Installation is easy and requires no special skills. The required tools are available at retail locations where the product is sold.

When using PEX, is important that you purchase the recommended tool for the fittings you are using and the brand name of tubing that you have purchased. While the differences between the fittings and pipes may seem minor or non-existent, using the wrong tool to create a joint can lead to leaks. It is also important that you use the proper tubing for your application as not all PEX products are recommended for the supply of potable water. Your local plumbing supply stores or home centre will be able to point you to the proper materials and tools for your application.

As with copper and CPVC plumbing, care must be taken to cut all PEX tubing in straight, 90-degree cuts and to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions.

Plumbing is fairly easy no matter which product you choose. Your choice should be made according to local code, your personal skill level, and your personal preferences. No matter which you choose, if done properly, plastic and copper piping will both give you years of trouble free service.

Feed your Family – not just the Grocery Chain’s Bank Account

Text by Pat Gerbrandt

With an abundance of fruits and vegetables readily available from home gardens, market gardens and farmers’ markets, grocery budgets can enjoy welcome reprieve from the limits imposed by produce importers.

Welcome as it is, this supply source is short-lived and we all know we’ll have to continue to forage under artificial lights before long. With a little careful planning, it is possible to keep the family’s food budget within bounds.

Planning is one important key. Remember that needs is the key word here. The reason for buying groceries is to provide nutritious and tasty meals. Keep in mind that, generally, the more work that is done for you, the less food you are getting for your food dollars. In other words, convenience costs. Not only that, you will be getting a lower level of nutrients if you opt for processed foods.
-Use discount coupons judiciously. You’ll not help your budget if you buy an item you don’t need, even if it is a dollar or two off the regular price.
-Comparison shopping is best done from ads or by keeping your own notes. Gas needed to drive back and forth between stores may cost more than you save.

-Use one evening to plan menus for the month, and then draw up your shopping lists. Keep an inventory of pantry and freezer contents. It’s all too easy to forget that extra bag of flour you bought. Buying more than you need is a waste of money as well as storage space.

Planning can also eliminate that trip to pick up a forgotten item.

-Be willing to try store brands. Many, though not all, offer excellent quality.

-Buy in bulk only if you have the storage space and your family can utilize larger quantities.

-Find someone to share larger size packages of perishables like salads and vegetables and the cost of bulk goods.

-Homemade cookies and muffins cost only a fraction of the cost of ready-made ones, and you have the additional benefit of being able to boost the nutritional content by adding some whole wheat flour, freshly chopped nuts or more fruit. You can also modify the fat amount without losing any flavor. Many magazines and cooking resources offer help in this regard.

-Those with dietary limitations due to celiac disease, diabetes, or heart disease don’t have to rely on commercially prepared products. With a growing assortment of specialty products available, gluten free, no-sugar added, and low salt and low fat foods can be prepared in your own kitchen.

-Salad dressings can be whipped up in a hurry. Start with an oil and vinegar base, then add your favorite Italian seasoning, adjust with extra garlic and/or onion powder, shake well and let stand several hours for the flavors to blend. Buttermilk makes a delicious and low-fat base for creamy dressings. Experiment and you may come up with a signature dressing that others will ask for!

-Make your own sauces and entrees. Do you know the reason you pay $$ a lb. for boxed macaroni is for the convenience of packaged pasta with a cheese sauce? I’m perfectly capable of measuring out 1 cup of pasta, and cheese sauce is so easy to make. Even a jar of cheese sauce is better than powder!

-Some convenience foods are reasonably priced and fairly nutritional. Do your homework, and keep those products for occasional use.

Child Safety in your Kitchen

Text by Pat Gerbrandt

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, so make sure there is nothing hurtful in it. Allow yourself to look around this room with a child’s eyes to see if you can spot things that would entice – and with your adult’s understanding, take action to eliminate hazards.

-Ensure that there are no toys to trip over when you begin cooking. If possible, relegate toddler’s toys to one section, possibly even under the table, to ensure no one trips while carrying something hot or a sharp or heavy gadget.

-Ban toys like “Lego”, wheeled toys or marbles from the kitchen. One lower cabinet section, as far as possible from your stove, as child-friendly can hold plastic containers, wooden spoons and other similar classic favourites. It could be helpful to have some ‘kitchen only’ toys that don’t pose a hazard, to be enjoyed only while you are busy with meal preparation.

-A variety of exercise devices and ‘containment’ products are available for infants.

-Keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove.

-A stove guard can offer additional protection, and is particularly important for gas stoves, because the flames can attract innocent tots.

-Knob guards are also available for stoves.

-Take time to teach your child the importance of obeying “Hot. Don’t touch!” Just imagine hearing a burned child’s screams – you’ll gladly persist in training.

-Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

-Make sure that nuts, and other foods that could cause choking, are not kept with snack foods if children are allowed to help themselves.

-Electrical cords need to be neatly secured (Velcro-wrap straps are a boon) so appliances can’t be pulled off counters.

-Dishwasher doors should never be left open.

-Add cleanser only when ready to turn on dishwasher.

-A garbage disposal switch needs a switch cover.

-Childproof latches offer inexpensive aid to security.

-Keep alcohol locked away. It can be lethal to your little ones.

-A bank of drawers invites a climbing explorer. If drawer pulls don’t allow you to slide a heavy dowel or a meter stick through them, find some other means of keeping these sliding stairs inaccessible.

-Recyclables and other trash should be kept in tightly closed and hidden containers. Empty plastic bags, spoiled foodstuffs, broken glass and other hazards are only garbage to you; to a youngster; they are just another bit of world to explore.

-Empty your floor wash bucket immediately after use. A child can drown in a small amount of water.

-Plastic bags need to be kept from young children.

-Don’t leave a tablecloth on the table. Pulling on its edges can bring hot food and heavy or sharp objects down on a vulnerable child.

-Store all cleansers, including dishwasher liquid, in a locked cabinet.

-Electrical outlets need ground fault circuit interrupters.

-Consider a childproof latch for the microwave. Toys hidden inside can start fires.

-A childproof refrigerator latch can prevent a mess and keep a hungry child from tasting medicines or uncooked meat.

-Use vinegar instead of bleach for sanitizing.

-Post poison control centre phone and emergency numbers on fridge.