Andover

 
As featured on BBC1 "Holidays at Home"
for 6 weeks consecutively!

Materials and Design
These days people use a mix of materials in their kitchens in contemporary designs. The benefits of this include adaptability of design, mix of colour and texture and the appropriate use of materials in different areas. This can also be used to create the effect of different spaces within the kitchen.

Granite works well in any kitchen setting and timber is also becoming a much more versatile material for contemporary design. As with granite the kitchen design is beginning to have more of an impact on timber and the notion that timber worktops equals beech worktops has long gone.

Current kitchen design has seen timber worktops become increasingly important. Just because a material is a natural product like timber and granite does not mean that it cant be a modern improvement. If applied with panache granite and hardwood worktops can look stylish and will be at home in a contemporary or traditional kitchen. There is always a choice to suit the application. A deep black granite with few markings offers a highly polished, lustrous surface in which stainless steel or lacquered kitchens will look fantastic.

Composite stone has many of the properties of granite and can sometimes outperform it in terms of its porosity, hardness and flexural strength. Many people however still want the real thing. Composite offers the stone benefits while giving a consistent colour choice that is not available in the natural world.

The maintenance factor of fit and forget laminate worktops is matched by granite. It is quite carefree. Sealed at the point of processing simple wiping down of spills is all that is required for daily maintenance. Over time a patina will appear in hard worked areas but a polishing cream revives this.

For timber correct installation is essential. A breathing product timber reacts to its surroundings and must be allowed to move with circumstances. Timber is very strong and must not be rigidly screwed down as it has immense expansion powers.

Laminate can do things natural materials cannot do such as offer a wider range of colours in their simulations, remove or add knots or other imperfections and offer many design innovations. Timber effects offer a smooth, easy cleaned surface instead of a textured one which can trap dirt. Gloss finishes show scuffmarks more readily than standard surfaces, so do not suit every environment. There are matching splashbacks available with some colours that give added depth to the room.

Installing Kitchen Appliances
A Kitchen depends upon the quality of the appliance to give a more efficient performance. There is a wide range of kitchen appliances now available and they can range dramatically in their comparative looks and performance. The current improvement trend is for aluminium or stainless steel finishes and they are more expensive. Some kitchen appliances are fitter friendly, others not. Some manufacturers offer a good service back up if things go wrong, others don't and some may last for years others, months.
improvement tools required:
1. Spirit level
2. Hand tools. Screwdrivers of varying sizes, pliers and grips.
3. Cordless drill/driver Masonry, screwdriver, and steel drill bits of various widths.
4. Plumbing tools.

Freestanding Washing Machines/Dishwashers
The majority of washing machines are 595mm wide and the important thing to remember is that freestanding machines are normally between 840mm and 860mm high. Important because when installing your kitchen units at the standard height of 870mm, this can leave very little tolerance for fitting when flooring has been added. A 600mm, or 450mm, in the case of slim-line dishwashers, space is sufficient and will ensure a more fully fitted look.

For correct fitting of a washing machine, all plumbing services should be fitted in an adjacent cupboard to prevent the machine protruding from the worktop. A washing machine waste of 40mm diameter can be fitted within the void of an adjacent cupboard and again this will prevent the machine protruding from the worktop.
If fitted next to a sink unit, the waste from the appliance may be incorporated with that of the sink. However should the washing machine and dishwasher be sited either side of the sink you should install a separate waste pipe. Three appliances entering one waste pipe will render the waste extremely prone to blockages.
Electrical services should also be fitted in an adjoining unit and appropriate sized holes for hoses and plugs must be drilled through the back or base of the cupboard. This can be achieved with an appropriately sized hole saw.
Flooring for all freestanding appliances should be installed prior to final fitting. After completing the above, slide the washing machine into place and make necessary adjustments to the feet for levelling purposes.

Built in Ovens/Microwaves.
Whether the oven is a single or double oven ensure the cabinet aperture is the correct size for the kitchen appliances as heights can vary. Check the electrical rating of the kitchen appliances and fit the appropriate sized outlet, again avoiding the space directly behind the appliance. Once you've fed the appliance flex to the outlet, this may be in adjacent cupboard or in the case of a double oven, in the cupboard above, slide in the appliance and screw to the cabinet gables with the screws provided.

Splash backs
It may be that you wish to install a splash back with your range cooker and to fit one correctly you must determine the finished height of your worktop. The reason for this being, that your extractor should be fitted prior to fitting the cooker and splash back fixings are positioned behind the position of the extractor. Installing this before fitting the cooker will prevent any damage to the appliance and ensure that you have adequate space to work.

Range cookers
Preparation for the fitting of Range Cookers is similar to that of a freestanding appliance in that the space between cupboards needs to be accurate probably 5mm wider than the appliance. The electrical connection, as with all kitchen appliances, should be made through an adjacent cupboard for access purposes. Great importance should be given to the finished height of the appliance and the top edge of the cooker should finish at least 5mm above the worktop. Should the appliance legs offer insufficient height adjustment, the appliance must be raised on a platform. This platform can then be finished in a material of your choice to match the appliance or the kitchen.

Integrated Dishwasher/Washing Machine
Integrated Dishwashers are available in slim line, generally 450mm width, and standard, 600mm wide sizes. The size of the dishwasher matches the aperture you will need to leave to accommodate the appliance. The only room for accommodating crossing pipe work or services behind integrated dishwashers is within the recess at the bottom of the machine. This is an important point to remember as to install services elsewhere behind the appliance will result in the dishwasher protruding from the adjacent cabinets and this is to be avoided.
Doors are fitted to the appliance door by means of fixings provided with each machine, a template assists in marking the appropriate points. The nature of the way a dishwasher door opens, warrants that the kitchen kickboard be cut approximately 10mm directly beneath the appliance in order to accommodate the door on opening.

Again, water and electrical services for both dishwashers and washing machines should terminate in an adjacent cupboard and waste services must be fitted behind an adjacent unit, within the void. Should the appliance be sited next to a sink however, the waste can be integrated with the sinks waste outlet.
When positioning the appliance in readiness to connect, feed the water hoses and electrical flex behind the appropriate rear unit leg. This will allow access to the services when the appliance is in place and will also permit fitting before the furniture plinth is installed.

The height of the appliance is made by means of adjustable feet and the rear feet can be accessed under the unit prior to fitting the plinth. Once you've achieved the correct level, screw to the underside of the worktop with the screws provided. Dishwashers require the fitting of a protective waterproof barrier and this should be fitted to the underside of the worktop once the appliance is in place. Many integrated washing machines present a further problem for installers as they have no recess at the rear of the machine and the height adjustment is minimal. For this reason it may be necessary to install a platform ensuring that it does not protrude from the furniture plinth and no services should cross the rear wall behind the appliance as they will impede on the appliance hoses, thereby obstructing correct fitting.

Of all integrated appliances, integrated washing machines are the least fitter friendly and require many improvements before they become so. The door is fitted to the appliance by means of side opening hinges that allow little adjustment and you may be required to drill the furniture door hinges to match adjacent door heights. There is little room for error and measurements should be double checked before drilling.

Built In Integrated Fridges/Freezers
Integrated built in appliances, unlike built-under appliances, are fitted within a furniture housing. Some manufacturers require the doors of the housing to be fitted to the cabinet prior to fitting the appliance but now more rely on fitting the doors direct to the appliance after fitting. Templates and fixings are provided with the appliance and provision is made for fixing through the feet and the top of the appliance once levelling is complete. Ensure that the appliance is fitted to the correct depth for correct operation of both the cabinet and appliance doors. Again it is a good rule to avoid services to the rear of the appliance. It may be necessary to adapt the cabinet prior to fitting your built in appliance as some cabinet manufacturers leave a back fitted to the appliance aperture. This will need to be removed to allow correct fitting of the appliance. Appliances fitted within a housing require adequate ventilation and this is achieved by fitting a ventilator to the plinth.

American Freestanding Fridge Freezers
As a improvement these appliances are becoming increasingly popular. They require a cold water supply. They can be integrated to blend in with your kitchen by installing a top cupboard between two tall end panels. As with other appliances, services i.e. water and electrical, should terminate and be connected to the appliance via an adjacent cupboard. Should this not be possible, fit the services as close as possible to the rear wall. If you wish your fridge to lie flush with the adjacent cabinets you will require greater depth matching end panels and this will achieve the desired effect.

Hobs - Gas and Electric
After cutting the appropriate sized hole in your worktop and protecting the exposed chipboard, the hob needs fixing to the worktop. Apply the seal (provided with the appliance) to the worktop. Fix the hob on the underside with the fixing clips provided and electrical or gas connections can now be made. When a hob is fitted above an oven, gas pipe work must be completed in such a way as not to impede the fitting of the appliance below. Electrical connection in the configuration described above, must be made in an adjacent and accessible unit unless the hob is fitted above a drawer or door unit.

Integrated Extractors
Having left the appropriate gap and installed the wall outlet, if applicable, secure the brackets to the rear wall and hang the extractor. Remove the pivotal door-fixing frame and screw the appliance to the adjacent cabinets. Fit the door to the fixing frame using the screws provided. This is made easier by using a template if provided. Make the vent connection to the exhaust outlet of the appliance and make the electrical connection in the accessible yet hidden space at the rear top of the extractor.

Chimney Style Extractors
A popular choice in contemporary kitchens is the chimney style extractor and it is imperative to ensure it is correctly aligned and level for installation. To achieve the correct finish, mark the centre line of the hob on the rear wall and continue this line up to the ceiling. Use this line as a reference point for fixing the flue brackets above the extractor. Ensure that the extractor is sited the correct and regulatory distance above the hob and transfer the template measurements to the wall using the line as reference. All ventilation connections should be made behind the flue and may be possible above the ceiling dependent on the joist direction. After installing the extractor and flue, place the telescopic two-part chimney on top of the appliance. Slide the chimney up to the ceiling and fix to the previously installed bracket. Electrical connection for chimney extractors should be made via a fused outlet in an accessible position above the worktop. The feed from this should terminate behind the flue and connection to the extractor can be made via a junction box of appropriate size.

Canopy Extractors
The cut-out for the extractor is best made prior to installing the canopy and electrical and flue connections should all be made within the canopy. Canopies fitted between units are easier installed by fixing a temporary batten across the top. Lift the canopy above the neighbouring units and slowly bring down to rest on them. This will ensure the unit will remain level with the adjoining units before fixing. Fixing of the furniture canopy can be made within the cut-out by drilling four holes to each gable and fixing with appropriately sized screws. Install the extractor into the cut out after making electrical and flue connections.

Island Extractors
Before installing an island extractor, the ceiling to which it will be fitted may require extra timber fitted, between or adjacent to the existing joists. Adequate fixing is imperative to carry the weight of the appliance. When you have determined the position of your extractor, the flue, if the joists allow, should be fed through to the nearest outside wall. The fixing frame should be fitted to the ceiling with the screws supplied. The extractor will then require fitting. Final levelling using the adjustable bolts can now be done before tightening. Again, electrical connections can be made within the flue via a fused spur fitted to the wall above worktop height. Finally, the flue, which is in two parts, can be fitted and screwed to the frame with the fixings supplied.

Kitchen worktops
For years the majority of kitchen improvement were fitted with laminated worktops which were selected almost as an afterthought. The tone would be selected to blend with the units without causing too much of a stir. In 2001 laminate worktops accounted for 90% of worktop sales. Granite has seen an increase in popularity as a improvement at the expense of Corian solid surface and engineered stone. In laminate the best sellers are the stone effects that replicates real granite. Laminate has an in-built advantage over other materials as it is inexpensive and easy to care for.