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Before You Start Renovating Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is probably the most used room in your house. Poor layout, inadequate lighting, cramped spaces, outdated fixtures and old cabinetry are common complaints of homeowners.

Before you decide to go ahead with a kitchen renovation, it is important to clearly identify the features you want in your new kitchen. Just as important is a thorough pre-renovation inspection to identify any existing problems.

Common Situations

Kitchen renovations are high on the list of the most common home renovations. A renovation can be as simple as installing new flooring or be a major undertaking that includes enlarging the space and replacing all fixtures and finishes.
Homeowners consider kitchen renovations for many reasons including:

  • Size and design – the existing kitchen may be to small or poorly laid out.
  • Fixtures and appliances – the fixtures and appliances may be worn out, inefficient or outdated.
  • Cabinets and countertops – cabinet finishes, hardware or countertops may be outdated, need repair or replacement.
  • Structural problems – there may be problems that require structural changes or repairs.
  • Moisture – the floor, walls or finishes may be unsightly or damaged due to moisture problems.
  • Plumbing and electrical – many older kitchens don’t have enough electrical outlets and circuits. Older plumbing and plumbing fixtures may include lead or galvanized steel piping.
  • Heating and ventilation – older kitchens often have inadequate ventilation or heating systems. The area may be poorly insulated and have a high degree of air leakage, two factors that lead to high energy consumption.
  • Finishes – older finishes may be unattractive or not durable enough to withstand the daily wear and tear.
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Healthy Housing

Renovating is an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community and the environment. When planning your kitchen renovation, be sure to consider the five essentials of Heathy House.

House as a System

A House is much more than just four walls and a roof – it`s an interactive system made up of many components including the basic structure, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, the external environment and the occupants. Each component influences the performance of the entire system. A renovation provides an opportunity to improve how your house performs. Kitchen renovations often include changes to HVAC equipment that can improve indoor air quality and moisture management in the house. Be careful if choosing large volume exhaust fans because they can cause combustion heating equipment to backdraft. Structural changes may give you a chance to improve air tightness and insulation, resulting in increased occupant comfort and house durability.

Avoid Surprises

Once you start a renovation, there’s no turning back. Your life is disrupted and any unexpected problems will lead to higher costs and delays in finishing the project. Thorough planning will help you to develop a realistic understanding of the work to be done and the cost involved. Here are some of the likely situations that people encounter. However, every situation is unique and you may need to hire a qualified professional to do a thorough investigation, find the problems and suggest the best solution.

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Questions and points to think about.

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  • How much workspace do you need? Is an eating area in the kitchen important?
  • What are the traffic patterns?
  • Does the kitchen meet the needs of everyone in the household including anyone with special needs, extended family and guests?

Consider you options….

  • Plan thoroughly before you start. Sometimes a simple reorganization of the space will solve many of the shortcomings of older kitchens.
  • Consider an addition or adding space from adjoining areas to meet your space and function requirements.
  • Use a professional designer to help you design a plan to best meet your existing and future needs.

….and if you don`t

  • You will have to live with the results even if they don`t meet your needs.
  • A poor layout will seriously detract from your enjoyment of the renovation.
  • The layout may not be flexible enough to meet existing or future demands for space, storage and anyone with special needs such as wheelchair accessibility.
  • Do the existing fixtures and appliances have years of useful life left?
  • Do you like the style and features of your appliances? Are they energy-efficient?
  • Is there adequate general and task lighting?

Consider your options…

  • Replace or repair worn out appliances or fixtures.
  • Familiarize yourself with available products and options..
  • Choose efficient fixtures that will reduce water and electricity consumption. New kitchen appliances carry an EnerGuide label identifying their energy efficiency rating.
  • Updating lighting so that it provides the brightness that you need. Compact fluorescent light fixtures are four times more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.

….and if you don`t

  • Old fixtures may have to be replaced later and the new fixtures may not fit into the spaces allowed. This may involve further modification of cabinets or room layout.
  • If you don`t do your homework, you may find more appropriate, appealing appliances or fixtures after you have completed the work.
  • Outdated appliances and lighting usually mean higher ongoing energy costs.
  • Are existing cabinets or countertops damaged?
  • Do you like the style of the cabinets and countertops?
  • Is there enough storage and workspace?

Consider your options…

  • Replace or repair damaged or outdated cabinets or countertops
  • Install additional cabinets or countertops to meet your work needs.
  • Consult with a kitchen planner to organize storage and workspace more efficiently.

….and if you don`t

  • Damaged, hard-to-clean countertops can harbour bacteria. The kitchen may be less functional and an unappealing work and living space.
  • Are there any existing structural deficiencies in this area or nearby areas of the house?
  • Do any structural walls or lintels need to be removed?
  • Will installation of new windows or doors require special structural details?
  • Are the walls, ceiling, floor or basement areas well-insulated and air-sealed to provide a comfortable energy-efficient space?

Consider your options…

  • Carry out a complete inspection. You may want to hire an expert.
  • Repair, strengthen or replace structural components so they can carry the new loads.
  • Insulate and air-seal the building to provide warm interior surfaces and a draft-free living space.
  • Remove wall covering, when possible, to properly insulate and install a sealed air and vapour barrier. The open wall cavities will also make it easier to install new wiring, plumbing and other services.

…and if you don`t

  • Structural deficiencies can lead to cracked finishes, floor vibration, bowing or displacement of walls, floors or roof structures and possible structural failure.
  • Exterior walls that are poorly insulated and not air-sealed will lead to continued high energy costs, possible condensation problems and discomfort in the living space.
  • Do any of the finishes have moisture damage?
  • Is there visible mold growth on any surfaces? Are there any water stains?
  • Is there blistered or peeled paint?
  • Is any of the caulking or grout cracked or missing?
  • Has there been condensation on windows, walls or ceiling surfaces?

Consider this…

  • Determine the source of the moisture. It may be from building or plumbing leaks or from condensation of humidity on cold surfaces.
  • Clean up visible mold growth according to CMHC guidelines.
  • Insulate, air-seal and use energy-efficient windows to provide warmer inside surface temperatures.
  • Repair or replace all deteriorated finishes or structural components.
  • Maintain caulking, grout and flashings to prevent water access to the building structure.
  • Minimize moisture sources and ventilate to control high humidity.

…and if you don`t

  • Unsolved water damage problems will continue and lead to further deterioration of the building or newly renovated areas.
  • Mold growth caused by excess moisture can be a serious source of IAQ problems.
  • Superficial cleanup or hiding of moisture damage behind new finishes will allow deterioration to continue.

  • Is the electrical service adequate for the number of outlets and circuits required and for future expectations?
  • Does the existing plumbing service work well? Is there adequate water pressure? Do the drains flow quickly?
  • Are there any leaks or evidence of water damage?
  • If the house is pre-1950, are there any lead or galvanized steel water pipes?

Consider your options…

  • Have a professional electrician assess the electrical service and your needs. Upgrade and repair the electrical service and wiring as required.
  • Repair any plumbing leaks and upgrade the existing service as required.
  • Equip outlets near the sink with ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent shocks.
  • Replace any lead or corroded metal water pipes.

…and if you don`t

  • An undersized electrical service can lead to circuit overloads and the constant jockeying of countertop appliances.
  • Inadequate or leaky plumbing will cause ongoing inconvenience. Leaks can lead to mold growth and IAQ problems.
  • Even minor leaks around plumbing joints, gaskets and sinks will damage new materials.
  • Lead piping and corroded metals can contaminate water.
  • Is the room comfortable and easy to heat?
  • Does excess condensation form on windows or other surfaces?
  • Is there an exhaust fan that is ducted to the outside?
  • Is the air fresh and clean? Are there lingering musty smells?
  • Would a large exhaust fan lead to backdrafting of an oil or wood stove, furnace or water heater?

Consider your options…

  • Make sure that there is adequate heating to the area. Poor insulation levels and high air leakage will make the area hard to heat, drafty and uncomfortable.
  • Install an exhaust fan with adequate airflow capacity. The fan should be quiet and be vented to the outside.
  • Use a licensed installer for heating, cooling and ventilation work.

…and if you don`t

  • The heating system may not be able to maintain a comfortable temperature in the living space during cold, windy weather.
  • You may experience lingering odours and excess humidity in the house.
  • Large volume exhaust fans can cause back drafting ( smells, smoke or toxic gases escaping into the house) of combustion equipment such as fuel burning fireplaces, furnaces, wood stoves and water heaters that use oil, natural gas or propane. A trained technician can remedy or avoid this health and safety problem.