Kitchen Storage
From DT Online
Description
Most kitchen units are made from plastic Laminate coated Chipboard and are sold in self-assembly, Flat-Pack form or come ready assembled. Self-assembly units incorporate a number of Knock Down Fittings. Most have doors which are laid on to the front of the carcase and hung with adjustable Concealed Hinges which allow them to open beyond 90 degrees for ease of access.
Features and Applications
Base Units are normally used for mounting against walls but increasingly used also to create Islands and peninsular Breakfast Bars. They are mounted on legs, usually covered by a Plinth, which are adjustable between 100mm and 150mm. Base Units require a 600mm wide work surface or sink on top to create a total height of 900mm - the legs allowing some variation in this.
Standard Wall Units are 300mm deep (including door thickness) and available in 3 heights: 570mm, 720mm and 900mm. When positioned, there should be at least 400mm clearance between the bottom of the Wall Unit and the work-surface below. Avoid fixing Wall Units' directly above a hob/oven or above a sink.
Tall Larder Units are available in 3 heights of 1820mm, 1965mm and 2150mm to complement the 3 height of wall units such that, when positioned, all the tops are level. Various arrangements of Corner Unit are available for both Base Units and Wall Units plus Appliance Units to accommodate 'built-in' appliances (e.g. fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwasher). These usually include doors which can be fitted to the front of the appliance so that the appearance matches with the other units.
Note: Cookers need a minimum 300mm clear worktop space either side and should not be located next to a sink or beneath a window. Fridges or freezers shouldn’t be located next to a cooker.
Most kitchen unit carcases are white and in standardised widths of 300, 400, 500, 800 and 1000mm - the 800 and 1000 mm units are double width units (normally required where a sink is fitted) and offer two cupboards or drawers side by side with adjustable shelves. They can often be renovated or changed simply by fixing different doors and drawer fronts. Existing painted units can be re-finished and specialist paints are available for this purpose. A wide range of door and drawer fronts are available, from plain plastic Laminate through to solid wood frames and panels, either solid or glazed.
