Kitchen Features and Laundry | |
LAUNDRY The barrier-free house will have the laundry on the main floor or in the bathroom, not stuck away in a basement. Compact laundry equipment such as the stacked washer/dryer shown can be fitted into a closet or a corner of the bath or kitchen. Such companion items as pull-out or fold-down ironing boards keep iron and board concealed but readily accessible. A pull-out shelf or drawer to hold laundry detergent and supplies will complete the laundry needs. If remodeling an existing house to be barrier-free, the water supply and drain pipes plus electric wiring must be rerouted to the closet or other laundry location. ELECTRICAL OUTLETS Today's electrical codes require that all outlets near plumbing or water use have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). There are fuses or circuit breakers at your electrical service entrance panel, and these fuses will blow (or circuit breakers snap) to protect your house from electrical fires in the event of faulty appliances or any short in the electrical system. These devices will not protect a person from dangerous or even fatal electrical shock. GFCIs, on the other hand, sense if any electrical current goes to ground at a particular outlet or point of usage. In an electrical circuit that is functioning properly there are two wires: one is called neutral (white in color), and the other is hot (black). If current does not go to ground, there is as much current returning to the service panel via the neutral (white) wire as is being sent to the outlet via the hot (black) wire. If the circuit fails there is shock potential at the outlet or appliance. Electrical current may travel to ground via the human body, causing injury or death. But the GFCI measures current flow on both wires and senses any drop in current along the neutral wire. A drop of 4 milliamps on the neutral wire will cause the circuit interrupter (GFCI) to stop the current before serious shock can result. If your house is older it may not have GFCI protection in kitchen, bath, or laundry. You can buy GFCI outlets at electrical supply stores, and they are quite easy to install. Follow the directions included with the GFCI. They can be installed so they protect only one outlet, or they can also protect all outlets downstream from the box where the device is installed. If you don't feel comfortable about doing this work, call an electrician. Hire an Electrician If you are making an older house barrier-free, it may be advisable to hire a professional electrician to bring your electrical system up to code. This means not only installing ground fault protection in the areas mentioned but also changing outlet or switch locations to a more reachable height, adding extra outlets for more convenience, installing lighting under upper cabinets or over sinks or other work areas, upgrading light levels for those with reduced light perception, installing the circuit box or panel on the first floor of the house (rather than the garage or outside), and installing oversized switch plates, time-activated or motion-detecting outdoor lighting, or installing low-volt-age path or feature lighting along walks, drive, or gardens. Have an electrician hook up any convenience items that your house lacks, such as an in-sink garbage disposer, trash compactor, intercom speakers, and the like. Remember, too, that points such as the height of electrical outlets from the floor are decided more from custom than from need. You may wish to have wall outlets moved so they are higher off the floor than the familiar 12-in. to 16-in. height: outlets set at 24 in. or more above the floor are handier for those who have difficulty in bending or stooping. Be sure also that you can control kitchen lighting from any doorway to the kitchen. Have the electrician install 2-way or 3-way switches, depending on the number of entry doors, so you can turn lights on and off from any entry point. ORGANIZERS For those with limited mobility, lower cabinets with all drawers or pull-out trays can be handier than cabinets with doors and shelves. If the kitchen cabinets are stock items, with doors and shelves, and will be retained, remove the shelves and install vinyl or epoxy-coated wire baskets that swivel or pull out. Check your kitchen remodeling center carefully and choose just the pull-out organizers that you need to fit your particular lifestyle. Options include wire vegetable bins; pull-out shelves with racks to hold dishes, pots, or canned goods; door-hanging shelves for storing food or cleaning supplies; and multiple bins for re-cycling trash. Mount a trash receptacle inside the door of a low cabinet to save floor space. Pull-up brackets are available to hold small appliances, and the brackets fold away under countertops to avoid clutter on the countertop. Other storage options include roll-out racks and bins, shelf trays, lazy susans, and baskets. FLOORING It should go without saying that the barrier-free house should have non-slip, no-trip floors. Having once broken a leg after slipping on a freshly waxed floor, I am rather critical of some of the flooring materials that are available today. Kitchen carpet is tightly woven, offers some sound control as well as firm footing, and is inexpensive and attractive. A good grade of vinyl inlay floor covering can be perfectly safe, if properly maintained and cleaned. Don't hesitate to ask your floor covering dealer for a look at vinyl coverings that are generally reserved for use in institutions such as hospitals. These floor coverings are not only more slip-resistant, but are superior in construction to stand up to commercial traffic. Wood flooring has staged a resurgence in popularity and is perfectly safe and comfortable under-foot if kept clean and maintained. If you choose wood flooring, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for maintenance and cleaning. DECORATING Light colors - whites, creams, light beiges - are generally more cheerful in the kitchen, and have a higher level of light reflectivity, both characteristics being desirable for those who spend much time at home or shut in. Because the less-able often don't have the mobility to do their own heavy cleaning, use paints or wall coverings that are scrubbable. Paints are more easily cleaned if they are of high sheen, so choose paints that are semi-gloss or high gloss for the easiest maintenance. Vinyl wall coverings are usually either washable (meaning they can be sponge cleaned) or scrubbable, which means you can be very vigorous in the cleaning attack. Do not underestimate the value of a good, cleanable surface: I have seen wall covering that was 25 years old that was still presentable and clean, only slightly worn from repeated hard scrubbings. Written by Gary Branson Reprinted with permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |