Updating Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is probably the mostused room in your house. Poorlayout, inadequate lighting,cramped spaces, outdated fixturesand old cabinetry are commoncomplaints of homeowners.

Before you decide to go ahead with a kitchen renovation, it isimportant to clearly identify thefeatures you want in your newkitchen. Just as important is athorough pre-renovation inspectionto identify any existing problems.

Healthy Housing™

Renovating is an ideal time to makeyour house healthier for you, thecommunity and the environment.When planning your kitchenrenovations, be sure to consider:

■ Occupant health—moisturecontrol strategies, low emissionmaterials and products,ventilation for improved indoorair quality (IAQ).

■ Energy efficiency—effective airbarriers and insulation, energy-efficient task lighting andappliances.

■ Resource efficiency—water-efficient appliances and fixtures.

■ Environmental responsibility—durable materials that will lastlonger and minimize future wastein landfill sites, kitchen designthat includes a compost andrecycling centre, recycling fixturesand appliances to reduceconstruction waste.

■ Affordability—energy- andwater- efficient fixtures to reduceongoing operating costs, durableproducts to reduce future repairand replacement expenses.

Common Situations

Kitchen renovations are high on the list of the most common homerenovations. A renovation can be assimple as installing new flooring orbe a major undertaking thatincludes enlarging the space andreplacing all fixtures and finishes.

Homeowners consider kitchenrenovations for many reasons including:

■ Size and design—the existingkitchen may be too small orpoorly laid out.

■ Fixtures and appliances—thefixtures and appliances may beworn out, inefficient or outdated.

■ Cabinets and countertops—cabinet finishes, hardware orcountertops may be outdated,need repair or replacement.

■ Structural problems—there maybe problems that requirestructural changes or repairs.

■ Moisture—the floor, walls orfinishes may be unsightly ordamaged due to moisture problems.

■ Plumbing and electrical—manyolder kitchens don’t have enoughelectrical outlets and circuits.Older plumbing and plumbingfixtures may include lead orgalvanized steel piping.

■ Heating and ventilation—olderkitchens often have inadequateventilation or heating systems.The area may be poorly insulatedand have a high degree of airleakage, two factors that lead tohigh energy consumption.

■ Finishes—older finishes may beunattractive or not durable enoughto withstand the daily wear and tear.

about your house

Before You Star t Renovat ing Your K i tchen

CE 28 d

House as a System

A house is much more than just fourwalls and a roof—it’s an interactivesystem made up of many componentsincluding the basic structure, heating,ventilation and air conditioning(HVAC) equipment, the externalenvironment and the occupants. Eachcomponent influences the performanceof the entire system. A renovationprovides an opportunity to improvehow your house performs.

Kitchen renovations often includechanges to HVAC equipment thatcan improve indoor air quality andmoisture management in the house.Be careful if choosing large volumeexhaust fans because they can causecombustion heating equipment tobackdraft. Structural changes maygive you a chance to improve airtightness and insulation, resulting in increased occupant comfort andhouse durability.

Rewards

■ Repairing structural problems,fixing leaks and making sure thatall services are adequate willprolong the life of your house andmake the renovation look andwork better.

■ By using low odour and easy toclean finishes, you will improvethe IAQ of your home. Reducingcondensation and controllinghumidity will help to preventmold growth.

■ Thorough planning will result ina warm, comfortable, useablekitchen with good lighting andplenty of work and storage space.

■ A well thought out and executedrenovation will increase the valueof your house.

Avoid Surprises

Once you start a renovation, there’sno turning back. Your life isdisrupted and any unexpectedproblems will lead to higher costsand delays in finishing the project.Thorough planning will help you todevelop a realistic understanding ofthe work to be done and the costsinvolved. Here are some of the likelysituations that people encounter.However, every situation is uniqueand you may need to hire a qualifiedprofessional to do a thoroughinvestigation, find the problems andsuggest the best solutions.

2 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

About Your House

Before You Star t Renovat ing Your Kitchen

Figure 1

Swollen underlay

Damagedfinishes

Inadequateventilation

LoosecaulkingCondensation

frostingLeakingpiping

Blistering andpeeling paint

Rottingmaterials

Moldy,deterioratingcabinet

Highwater use

dishwasherDamagedflooring

Energy inefficientappliance

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About Your House


Ask yourself . . .

Size and design

■ How much workspace do you need?Is an eating area in the kitchenimportant?

■ What are the traffic patterns?

■ Is there adequate storage space?

■ Does the kitchen meet the needsof everyone in the householdincluding anyone with specialneeds, extended family and guests?

Consider youroptions . . .

■ Plan thoroughly before you start.Sometimes a simple reorganizationof the space will solve many of theshortcomings of older kitchens.

■ Consider an addition or addingspace from adjoining areas tomeet your space and functionrequirements.

■ Use a professional designer to helpyou design a plan to best meetyour existing and future needs.

. . . and if you don’t

■ You will have to live with theresults even if they don’t meet your needs.

■ A poor layout will seriouslydetract from your enjoyment ofthe renovation.

■ The layout may not be flexibleenough to meet existing or futuredemands for space, storage andanyone with special needs such aswheelchair accessibility.

■ Do the existing fixtures andappliances have years of useful life left?

■ Do you like the style and features of your appliances? Are theyenergy-efficient?

■ Is there adequate general and tasklighting?

■ Replace or repair worn outappliances or fixtures.

■ Familiarize yourself with availableproducts and options.

■ Choose efficient fixtures that willreduce water and electricityconsumption. New kitchen appliancescarry an EnerGuide label identifyingtheir energy efficiency rating.

■ Update lighting so that it providesthe brightness that you need.Compact fluorescent light fixturesare four times more efficient thanstandard incandescent bulbs.

■ Old fixtures may have to bereplaced later and the new fixturesmay not fit into the spacesallowed. This may involve furthermodification of cabinets or roomlayout.

■ If you don’t do your homework,you may find more appropriate,appealing appliances or fixturesafter you have completed the work.

■ Outdated appliances and lightingusually mean higher ongoingenergy costs.

Fixtures and appliances

■ Are existing cabinets orcountertops damaged? Do youlike the style of the cabinets andcountertops?

■ Is there enough storage andworkspace?

■ Replace or repair damaged oroutdated cabinets or countertops.

■ Install additional cabinets orcountertops to meet your workneeds. Consult with a kitchenplanner to organize storage andworkspace more efficiently.

■ Damaged, hard-to-cleancountertops can harbour bacteria.The kitchen may be lessfunctional and an unappealingwork and living space.

Cabinets and countertops


About Your House


Ask yourself . . .

Structural problems

■ Are there any existing structuraldeficiencies in this area or nearbyareas of the house?

■ Do any structural walls or lintelsneed to be removed?

■ Will installation of new windowsor doors require special structuraldetails?

■ Are the walls, ceiling, floor orbasement areas well-insulated andair-sealed to provide a comfortableenergy-efficient space?


■ Carry out a complete inspection.You may want to hire an expert.

■ Repair, strengthen or replacestructural components so they cancarry the new loads.

■ Insulate and air-seal the buildingto provide warm interior surfacesand a draft-free living space.

■ Remove wall coverings, whenpossible, to properly insulate andinstall a sealed air and vapourbarrier. The open wall cavities willalso make it easier to install newwiring, plumbing and other services.


■ Structural deficiencies can lead tocracked finishes, floor vibration,bowing or displacement of walls,floors or roof structures andpossible structural failure.

■ Exterior walls that are poorlyinsulated and not air-sealed will lead to continued high energycosts, possible condensationproblems and discomfort in theliving space.

■ Do any of the finishes havemoisture damage?

■ Is there visible mold growth on anysurfaces? Are there any water stains?

■ Is there blistered or peeled paint?

■ Is any of the caulking or groutcracked or missing?

■ Has there been condensation onwindows, wall or ceiling surfaces?

■ Determine the source of themoisture. It may be from building or plumbing leaks orfrom condensation of humidityon cold surfaces.

■ Clean up visible mold growthaccording to CMHC guidelines.

■ Insulate, air-seal and use energy-efficient windows to providewarmer inside surface temperatures.

■ Repair or replace all deterioratedfinishes or structural components.

■ Maintain caulking, grout andflashings to prevent water accessto the building structure.

■ Minimize moisture sources andventilate to control high humidity.

■ Unsolved water damage problemswill continue and lead to furtherdeterioration of the building ornewly renovated areas.

■ Mold growth caused by excessmoisture can be a serious source of IAQ problems.

■ Superficial cleanup or hiding ofmoisture damage behind newfinishes will allow deterioration tocontinue.

Moisture


About Your House


Ask yourself . . .

Plumbing and electrical

■ Is the electrical service adequatefor the number of outlets andcircuits required and for futureexpectations?

■ Does the existing plumbingservice work well? Is thereadequate water pressure? Do thedrains 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?


■ Have a professional electricianassess the electrical service andyour needs. Upgrade and repairthe electrical service and wiring as required.

■ Repair any plumbing leaks andupgrade the existing service asrequired.

■ Equip outlets near the sink withground fault circuit interruptersto prevent shocks.

■ Replace any lead or corrodedmetal water pipes.


■ An undersized electrical servicecan lead to circuit overloads andthe constant jockeying ofcountertop appliances.

■ Inadequate or leaky plumbing willcause ongoing inconvenience.Leaks can lead to mold growthand IAQ problems.

■ Even minor leaks aroundplumbing joints, gaskets and sinkswill damage new materials.

■ Lead piping and corroded metals can contaminate water.

■ Is the room comfortable and easy to heat?

■ Does excess condensation form onwindows or other surfaces?

■ Is there an exhaust fan that isducted to the outside?

■ Is the air fresh and clean? Arethere lingering musty smells?

■ Would a large exhaust fan lead tobackdrafting of an oil or woodstove, furnace or water heater?

■ Make sure that there is adequateheating to the area. Poorinsulation levels and high airleakage will make the area hard toheat, drafty and uncomfortable.

■ Install an exhaust fan withadequate airflow capacity, 50 L/s (105 cubic feet per minuteminimum). The fan should bequiet with a sound rating of 3.5 sones or less and be vented to the outside. Choose ventilationappliances that are certified byHVI (Heating and VentilatingInstitute).

■ Install a whole house ventilationsystem if possible. Consider onethat includes heat recovery.

■ Use a licensed installer for heatingand ventilation work.

■ The heating system may not beable to maintain a comfortabletemperature in the living spaceduring cold, windy weather.

■ You may experience lingeringodours and excess humidity in the house.

■ Large volume exhaust fans cancause backdrafting (smells, smokeor toxic gases escaping into thehouse) of combustion equipmentsuch as fuel burning fireplaces,furnaces, wood stoves and waterheaters that use oil, natural gas orpropane. A trained technician canremedy or avoid this health andsafety problem.

Heating and ventilation


About Your House


Ask yourself . . .

Finishes

■ What is the condition of currentfinishes? Do they need to bereplaced because of wear or styling?

■ What finishes will be durableenough for the intended use, forexample countertops, floorcovering and wall finishes?

■ Are the planned materials andfinishes low odour and low inchemical emissions such as volatileorganic compounds (VOCs)?

■ What preparation is required for the new finishes? Are special skillsneeded to install the finishes?


■ Decide what finishes need to berepaired or replaced. Do yourresearch. There are many new anddifferent products on the market.Vinyl, ceramic and hardwoodflooring all have differentinstallation requirements.

■ Choose products that aredesigned to meet specific needse.g., water resistance, durability orcleaning.

■ Choose low odour materials,finishes and adhesives tominimize effects on Indoor AirQuality (IAQ).

■ Use a qualified installer forproducts that require specialinstallation conditions or skills.


■ Improper installation of finisheswill void the warranty and mayprovide unattractive results.

■ Cracked ceramic tile or grout arecommon problems resulting frominadequate subfloor strength andstiffness.

■ Hardwood flooring can shrink orswell if it is not allowed time tocondition to the humidity of thespace before installation or if it is not sealed properly.

■ Potentially harmful emissionsfrom new materials can linger forlong periods within the house.

Skills to Do the Job

A homeowner with good fix-it skillsmay be able to do some of thework on the renovation such as:

■ Removing old fixtures andfinishes

■ Caulking or repairing roof and window leaks

■ Installing insulation

■ Air-sealing the building

■ Painting

Consider a professional renovatorfor structural changes, finish workor to undertake the completeproject management. If you aredoing it yourself, you will still needto hire subcontractors to carry outthe electrical, plumbing, heatingand ventilation work. Dependingon the nature of the project, youmay also need to hire othertradespeople to do roofing, windowand door installation, install

cabinets and flooring or paint anddo drywall finishing. Remember toobtain all necessary permits, sign awritten contract, ensure thatworkers use safe working practices,have professional licenses whererequired and are covered by workers’compensation. Protect yourself,your family and your home.


About Your House


Use the Kitchen Assessment Worksheet to record the present condition,any problems and to estimate costs for your kitchen renovation.

Costing Your Project

The cost of the renovation workwill depend on the condition of theexisting structure, the extent of thework to be done and local labourand material prices. Costs offinishes and fixtures vary widely. Agood budget checklist will help youto develop a realistic cost for theproject before you start.

Some of the items to include are:

■ Design changes

■ Structural considerations

■ Fixtures and appliances

■ Moisture damage anddeteriorated finishes

■ Floor and wall finishes

■ Plumbing and electrical problems

■ Heating and ventilation

■ Permit and inspection costs

■ Waste disposal

About Your House


©2000, Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationPrinted in CanadaProduced by CMHC 07-03-07Revised 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007

Although this information product reflects housing experts’ current knowledge, it is provided for general information purposes only.Any reliance or action taken based on the information, materials and techniques described are the responsibility of the user. Readers are advised to consult appropriate professional resources to determine what is safe and suitable in their particular case. Canada Mortgage andHousing Corporation assumes no responsibility for any consequence arising from use of the information, materials and techniques described.

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Priced Publications

Building Materials for the Environmentally Hypersensitive Order no. 61089

Clean-Up Procedures for Mold in Houses Order no. 61091

Flexhousing: Homes that Adapt to Life’s Changes Order no. 60945

Healthy Housing Renovation Planner Order no. 60957

Homeowner’s Inspection Checklist Order no. 62114

Renovator’s Technical Guide Order no. 61946

Free Publications

A Guide to Mechanical Equipment for Healthy Indoor Environments Order no. 62015

About Your House fact sheets:

Measuring Humidity in Your Home Order no. 62027

After the Flood Order no. 60515

Fighting Mold Order no. 60516

Hiring a Contractor Order no. 62277

Before You Start Renovating Your Basement—Structural Issues and Soil Conditions Order no. 62248

Hiring a Home Inspector Order no. 62839

Sample Renovation Contract Order no. 62351

To find more About Your House fact sheets plus a wide variety of information products,visit our website at www.cmhc.ca.You can also reach us by telephone at 1-800-668-2642or by fax at 1-800-245-9274.

Documents

Updating Your Kitchen