Cooktop under window. Allowed?

[BLWNHR]

I have been trying to sort out a kitchen layout (renovation) for my house and the only functional layout I can come up with has the cooktop (gas) under a window. There is about 250mm from the benchtop to the top of the window sill, we won't be having curtains or blinds on this window (so no combustable materials).

I've noticed a lot of US sites mentioning this isn't allowed under some state legislation over there and I'm wondering if the same exists here. Is there a specific Australian Standard that mentions this? I have checked the BCA and can't find anything. I plan on asking my local council tomorrow.

[Cecile]

I have been trying to sort out a kitchen layout (renovation) for my house and the only functional layout I can come up with has the cooktop (gas) under a window. There is about 250mm from the benchtop to the top of the window sill, we won't be having curtains or blinds on this window (so no combustable materials).

I've noticed a lot of US sites mentioning this isn't allowed under some state legislation over there and I'm wondering if the same exists here. Is there a specific Australian Standard that mentions this? I have checked the BCA and can't find anything. I plan on asking my local council tomorrow.


Can we please see your proposed layouts, including dimensions?

[BLWNHR]

Can we please see your proposed layouts, including dimensions?

Thanks for the fast reply. I didn't get my drawing finished last night and will be tied up at work all this week. I will flash out more detail over the weekend and post something up.

Looking at it this morning I might have come up with a better option. I will see how that goes and post all three drawings (original layout, cooktop in front of window option and a third option).

[Cecile]

Thanks for the fast reply. I didn't get my drawing finished last night and will be tied up at work all this week. I will flash out more detail over the weekend and post something up.

Looking at it this morning I might have come up with a better option. I will see how that goes and post all three drawings (original layout, cooktop in front of window option and a third option).

You will almost always have options for a well-planned layout, but in some cases it depends on how deep your pockets are. There are several kitchen designers who post here, and a couple of professional cooks who can comment on your layouts, and make some suggestions.

There ARE minimum distances from windows, but I am not familiar with them. My own opinion is that I would never do it, if for no other reason than you will not be able to have a range hood above, and will be contiunally cleaning cooking "fallout" off the glass and architraves.

[BLWNHR]

I had a play with this during the week and have come up with an alternative design that works, and doesn't require the cooktop to be under a window. Any feedback will be taken on board.

Plan
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Plan.jpg

3D 1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Iso1.jpg

3D 2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Iso2.jpg

Elevation 1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Elev1.jpg

Elevation 2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Elev2.jpg

Elevation 3
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Elev3.jpg

Elevation 4
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Elev4.jpg

This is similar to the colour scheme we are thinking with a timber laminate on the overhead cupboards, the face of the breakfast bar and the upper cupboards on the pantry. Separating the upper and lower pantry will be a 5mm brushed stainless steel strip.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-Colour.jpg

[Cecile]

This isn't bad, although the clearances you need from the two windows are still not there. There isn't enough room to have the cooktop next to the fridge, is there? That's actually the ideal place for it.. I suspect you will not be happy with the cooktop so close to the sink though. Have you considered moving the sink to the breakfast bar area? You already have the dishwasher showing there. That way you will have a ton of prep room to the left of the cooktop and right of the fridge, as well as room to the left of the sink for dirty pots etc.

I also am not overly fond of the way you have to stop the edge of the breakfast bar short of the long window. That little inaccessible corner would annoy me (but that's just me.) Are you able to lift the window so the sill height is clear of the breakfast bar? Do you specifically want that elevated bar? If the window sill was higher (1100, for instance) you could run your 900h breakfast bar straight across.

BTW, what programme did you use to do your drawings? Looks great.

[chrisp]

BTW, what programme did you use to do your drawings? Looks great.

Ditto - I'd be interested to know too.

[BLWNHR]

This isn't bad, although the clearances you need from the two windows are still not there.
What is this clearance? Where is it written? The distance from the edge of the burner to the nearest timber surface (the architrave) is over 250mm.


There isn't enough room to have the cooktop next to the fridge, is there? That's actually the ideal place for it.
That's where the stove is now, and it is a terrible spot for it. The cooktop is far too close to the side of the fridge, you can't get large pots on there, it's dark and it's cramped. From the doorway on the top-left of the page you can see the side of the fridge, I want to enclose the fridge so it hides all the wires etc. behind there. The joinery to do this will be wider than the fridge is currently which means there will be even less room for the cooktop. Add to that, the gap between the edge of the pantry and the fridge isn't very large now so we need to push the fridge further to the right leaving even less room for the cooktop.


I suspect you will not be happy with the cooktop so close to the sink though. Have you considered moving the sink to the breakfast bar area? You already have the dishwasher showing there.
I had considered it, but wrote it off as I didn't like that positioning. I will contemplate it further.


I also am not overly fond of the way you have to stop the edge of the breakfast bar short of the long window. That little inaccessible corner would annoy me (but that's just me.) Are you able to lift the window so the sill height is clear of the breakfast bar? Do you specifically want that elevated bar? If the window sill was higher (1100, for instance) you could run your 900h breakfast bar straight across.
Yes, I want the breakfast bar raised. We lived in a house with the breakfast bar at the bench level and I didn't like it. Also it is hard to buy stools that fit under a 900h top. If we were to put the sink in there too then any spills wouls pour right off the top with no splashback.
What inaccessible corner are you talking about?
Changes to the windows are not an option. The house is of 1950's construction and has poured concrete sills and heads so I cannot alter these at all.


BTW, what programme did you use to do your drawings? Looks great.
AutoCAD 2011. I run my own drafting company (mainly industrial work) so am fairly handy with it.

This is the existing layout, the current upright electric stove is beside the fridge at the top.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/House/1-PlanExisting.jpg

[Cecile]

You really have thought this through. It's a hell of a space to renovate for a kitchen, and as you aren't in a position to change over the windows, you're a bit stuck. I am assuming the wall next to the pantry is the back of a fireplace, and can't be used for cabinets/fridge etc. I don't think I can add anything else, other than encourage you to think more about shifting the sink to the breakfast bar, which will improve your prep/work space. I'm looking at it through my own design background, and Moondog's cooking background (he's a chef, I like to bake), but you have to use the kitchen, not us.

The "inaccessible corner" is where the raised breakfast bar will stop short of the long window.

Good luck. I'd love to see pics before and after!

[BLWNHR]

You really have thought this through.
I sure have! Every time I walk in there I stand there for 5 minutes contemplating the best layout.


It's a hell of a space to renovate for a kitchen, and as you aren't in a position to change over the windows, you're a bit stuck. I am assuming the wall next to the pantry is the back of a fireplace, and can't be used for cabinets/fridge etc.
Correct, a nice solid brick fire place. We won'e be using it, but the lovely rounded bricks around the fire place on the lounge side are one of our favourite features of the house.


I don't think I can add anything else, other than encourage you to think more about shifting the sink to the breakfast bar, which will improve your prep/work space. I'm looking at it through my own design background, and Moondog's cooking background (he's a chef, I like to bake), but you have to use the kitchen, not us.
Thanks, we're thinking about that now and I will play with that as a layout when I get a chance later in the week.


The "inaccessible corner" is where the raised breakfast bar will stop short of the long window.
Thought so, that's the best option I can think of to maximise the working bench space.


Good luck. I'd love to see pics before and after!
Thanks, I will post photos for sure. I had a bit of a win on Saturday night too. A friend of ours is an exceptional builder and cabinet maker and I wanted him to do all the carpentry at our house (master bed built-ins, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and lounge room entertainment unit) but he was booked up until after Easter 2013. Some of the projects he is working on have been reduced in scope which has left him with more time and he is able to do all our work for us which makes me a very happy camper!