Here you will learn:
- Is it possible to install and close a gas boiler in the kitchen?
- How to hide a gas boiler in a kitchen unit
- How to hide communications
- Standards for premises and equipment
- Boiler installation features
- Installation of a wall-mounted boiler
- Installation of a floor-standing unit
The high popularity of gas heating equipment, which, subject to certain requirements for the premises, can be installed in the kitchen, is explained by a number of reasons. These include:
- long service life;
- high reliability of boilers of this type;
- the possibility of using for heating rooms with a large area;
- fairly high efficiency;
- the ability to select a model from a fairly large assortment in a specific design and with the required set of options;
- ease of operation, management and maintenance;
- availability and low price of the energy carrier used - gas;
- fairly low cost of equipment.
Modern compact model of a gas wall-mounted boiler in the kitchen interior
The automation of many models of gas boilers ensures independent operation of the devices all year round and protects the equipment in case of extreme situations
Meanwhile, gas equipment also has disadvantages, which include the following parameters.
- Such equipment can only operate if there is gas in the pipeline connected to it.
- Installing such equipment in a private home or country house is possible only if the appropriate permission has been obtained.
- If the gas pressure in the pipeline drops, this leads not only to a decrease in the efficiency of the boiler, but also to the formation of a significant amount of soot during its operation.
- The installation complexity of both the boiler itself and the chimney and ventilation system is quite high.
Installation and maintenance of gas boilers must be carried out by competent specialists
What makes a safe installation
A gas boiler is a source of potential danger, regardless of type, model and manufacturer.
This feature affects the final location of the unit, since SNiP standards clearly define the rules for choosing a location, installation and operation of equipment. A set of restrictions may seem excessive, but it helps to create not only a harmonious, but also a safe interior. When installing the boiler, the following rules are observed:
- Good air circulation is important when operating the unit. Therefore, the minimum area of the room where installation will take place is 4 square meters, with a ceiling height of 2.5 m; any kitchen fits into these parameters.
- The maximum power of the device for home use should not exceed 60 kW.
- Installation is permitted on the floor or wall. In the latter case, the distance from the floor and ceiling cannot be less than 0.8 m. The unit cannot be installed on a window sill or pieces of furniture, or attached to the ceiling or cabinet wall.
- Due to the need for good air exchange, the boiler should not be placed close to other objects. This is especially true for the refrigerator and stove (no matter gas or electric); 30 cm is the minimum distance to any of them.
- A distance of one meter is maintained from the boiler to the outlet from which it is powered, and at least one and a half meters from the meter (preferably more).
- If the housing for which the gas system is intended is wooden, then the wall where the installation will be carried out is protected with a metal sheet.
- Installation of a gas boiler in a kitchen unit is also stipulated by the rules. The device heats up during operation, so the distance to the side walls cannot be less than 5 cm, and to the masking cabinet door - at least 10 cm.
- Free access to all gas communications is provided; we will have to say goodbye to the idea of permanent (blind) camouflage structures.
- Camouflage cabinets are treated with a fire-resistant compound; the use of standard paints and varnishes is prohibited. Ventilation holes are made in the walls.
- It is allowed to install the equipment in a non-residential room next to the kitchen, if there is a window and a door that does not close tightly.
Pros and cons of placing boilers in the kitchen
Today, gas boilers are the most popular heating equipment in all areas of the economy where there is a main gas pipeline. Modern gas boilers have high production characteristics and an innovative automatic control and protection system.
This gives them the opportunity to operate the equipment of building heating systems in automatic mode throughout the heating season, and in the summer to heat up hot water. Boiler equipment is very compact and can comfortably fit even in a small room.
Many owners use the kitchen wall for this. Before locking such a gas boiler in a cabinet in the kitchen of a private house, you will need to take into account not only the owner’s design wishes, but also comply with fire safety requirements.
The advantage of arranging a kitchen with a boiler:
- long period of use;
- very high production reliability of units of this type;
- ability to use for heating large areas;
- one of the highest efficiencies among heating devices from 89-92%;
- a wide range of models, both European and domestic, with wide design and functional capabilities;
- ease of operation, adjustment and control of temperature conditions;
- low energy prices ensure low cost per unit of generated thermal energy;
- relatively low cost of boiler main and auxiliary equipment.
However, such gas equipment also has disadvantages:
- Such a heating device can only operate if the house has a connection to the main gas pipeline.
- It is permissible to install a gas boiler in the kitchen if you have the appropriate permission from the supervisory authority and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
- Low gas parameters in the main network lead to a sharp decrease in the efficiency of the boiler and its frequent breakdowns, especially for Western modifications. In connection with this, when purchasing boilers from EU countries, you need to pay attention to the permissibility of operation in the Russian gas network.
- Complex installation and installation of the boiler in the kitchen, as well as its adjustment, require the participation of service providers.
Layout
Modern building materials and design projects can disguise a speaker in a small kitchen. On the eve of its acquisition, it is necessary to take care of the area of the future location. The size and modification will depend on this. A perfect place is considered to be the kitchen cabinet.
Its size must be higher than the dimensions of the column. The smallest distance between them should be more than 30 mm. Such conditions provide ventilation and prevent fire.
It is also recommended to remove the top and bottom covers. Since they guarantee problems when operating a speaker with a cabinet. In addition, this will ensure additional ventilation air circulation. It is also recommended to glue the walls of such a cabinet with a special heat-reflecting film.
Thus, to summarize, we can say that in modern conditions a gas boiler or water heater in the kitchen is not an irritating factor, since they can be successfully integrated into a modern individual kitchen design with a boiler, using modern finishing options you can successfully play with variations in their placement in the kitchen small size.
Considering the advantages of autonomous heat supply that are created by these units, most cottage owners choose this type of boiler equipment. To answer their question about whether it is possible to install a gas boiler in the kitchen is simply, of course, possible, subject to fire safety standards.
Types of gas heating equipment
Modern industry produces a fairly wide variety of types of equipment for equipping a gas boiler room or for installation in any other non-residential premises, which allows users of such devices to optimally select them in full accordance with their requirements and financial capabilities. So, depending on a number of parameters, boilers can be:
- single-circuit or double-circuit type;
- with a closed or open combustion chamber;
- equipped with various ignition systems;
- with a boiler for heating external or internal water;
- installed on the floor or mounted on the wall of the room.
In addition, of course, heating appliances for the kitchen differ in their power.
In a large kitchen you can also place a floor-standing gas boiler if you need to heat large areas
Differences between single- and double-circuit gas boilers
Single-circuit and double-circuit boilers for the kitchen differ not only in the number of circuits in their design, but also in functionality. Thus, single-circuit type equipment can only be used for heating, and a double-circuit gas boiler can also be used to heat water for domestic and household needs. Meanwhile, if you equip a single-circuit boiler with an external boiler, then it can also be used to heat water for hot water supply in the kitchen.
A boiler with one heat exchanger will be used only for heating, and equipment with two circuits will additionally solve the problem of hot water supply. A wall-mounted double-circuit boiler is a mini-boiler room slightly larger in size than a regular gas water heater
Gas boilers with closed and open combustion chambers
Air enters boilers with an open combustion chamber directly from the kitchen, and exhaust gases naturally evaporate through the chimney. Installing a boiler of this type in the kitchen is not the best option, since when it operates in the kitchen, the amount of air decreases, which is especially critical if the room is small. Boilers with a closed combustion chamber operate on a slightly different principle, into which air is supplied from the street through a special coaxial-type chimney and gases formed during the combustion process are discharged through it. The installation location for a boiler with a closed combustion chamber can even be small kitchens (6–8 m2), where it is possible to install them inside kitchen cabinets.
Construction of boilers with different types of combustion chamber This is what a coaxial chimney looks like from the street side
Differences in gas boilers by type of ignition
Heating appliances, depending on the model, can be equipped with automatic and manual ignition systems. In devices of the first type, the burner automatically turns on at the moment when gas begins to flow into it, and when using a type with manual ignition, accordingly, you will have to carry out this process yourself, using matches or a lighter.
Gas boiler automation can be non-volatile (mechanical) or volatile (electronic). In budget models, the first type is more often used
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Gas boilers with external and built-in boilers
Naturally, it is much more convenient when, together with a gas boiler, a boiler is used in which water is heated to satisfy domestic and economic needs. Such boilers for the kitchen, as mentioned above, can be external or built into the boiler itself. Devices with built-in boilers are compact in size; such options are easier to install, but the volume of the tank that is built into them is quite small. The volume of the tank for boilers with an external boiler can be almost anything, but such devices, which should be taken into account when choosing them, take up more space, and in order to install them, it will be necessary to install additional communications.
Construction of a gas boiler with a built-in boiler Placing an external boiler will require more space in the kitchen
Advantages and disadvantages of using gas-type boilers
The high popularity of gas heating equipment, which, subject to certain requirements for the premises, can be installed in the kitchen, is explained by a number of reasons. These include:
- long service life;
- high reliability of boilers of this type;
- the possibility of using for heating rooms with a large area;
- fairly high efficiency;
- the ability to select a model from a fairly large assortment in a specific design and with the required set of options;
- ease of operation, management and maintenance;
- availability and low price of the energy carrier used - gas;
- fairly low cost of equipment.
Modern compact model of a gas wall-mounted boiler in the kitchen interior
The automation of many models of gas boilers ensures independent operation of the devices all year round and protects the equipment in case of extreme situations
Meanwhile, gas equipment also has disadvantages, which include the following parameters.
- Such equipment can only operate if there is gas in the pipeline connected to it.
- Installing such equipment in a private home or country house is possible only if the appropriate permission has been obtained.
- If the gas pressure in the pipeline drops, this leads not only to a decrease in the efficiency of the boiler, but also to the formation of a significant amount of soot during its operation.
- The installation complexity of both the boiler itself and the chimney and ventilation system is quite high.
Installation and maintenance of gas boilers must be carried out by competent specialists
Standards for premises when installing a boiler
Installation of a gas boiler in the kitchen is carried out in accordance with the standards for the safe operation of boilers. State regulations prescribe the following mandatory conditions for premises owners:
- Install a door structure with a leaf separating the kitchen and other rooms.
- Maintain the minimum permissible dimensions of window openings.
- Install ventilation.
- According to the project, install the boiler power supply with the placement of an outlet.
- Per the recommendations of the heating equipment manufacturer, perform piping of the boiler.
- Perform installation and commissioning of unit automation systems. Before hiding a gas boiler, you can invite specialists so as not to create a fire hazard.
- The design of a kitchen with a gas boiler must meet SNiP, fire and sanitary requirements. If serious violations of the above standards are detected, a representative of the regulatory agency may cut off the gas supply to the subscriber and impose a fine.
Requirements for organizing gas supply
The project for placing a boiler unit in a private house is carried out by a certified design organization and approved by the city gas agency. Based on the complexity of the documentation, approval will usually take from 10 days to six months.
In addition to design and estimate documentation, the inspection is required to provide:
- technical documentation for the boiler unit;
- production instructions for repair and operation of equipment;
- compliance of heating equipment with state quality certificates;
- conclusions of an expert organization on the compliance of the purchased boiler unit with all necessary state requirements;
- diagram of the layout option for a double-circuit floor-standing boiler or other heating equipment.
This list of documentation is issued by the manufacturer upon purchase of the boiler unit. If the project receives positive feedback from regulatory organizations, the city gas inspection will issue permission to connect the boiler to the main gas pipeline; otherwise, the applicant must be given the reasons for the refusal and given time to eliminate the comments.
Boiler units, like all other gas equipment, must not be placed:
- on surfaces with increased flammability;
- in corridors;
- in bathrooms, including in the corner of the toilet;
- in rooms that do not have forced ventilation, including those without vents;
- in living rooms and near the refrigerator;
- in basements;
- on balconies and loggias.
Rules for installing a boiler in the kitchen
In the case when it is necessary to close the boiler by installing it in the kitchen environment, it is very important for the owner to carefully consider its location so that it is consistent with the direction of circulation of air masses.
To do this, special openings are made in the front part of the furniture to ensure the convection process of air exchange. In order to achieve a professional installation of a wall-mounted gas unit that would be combined with a kitchen unit, you need to take into account the location of the chimney exhaust system. It is placed closer to the place where the pipe exits to the street.
Regulatory requirements for the location of devices in kitchens:
- The smallest kitchen area for installation of the unit is 4 m2.
- The minimum width of the entrance door is 0.8 m.
- The minimum lighting area is determined from the ratio of 0.3 m2 of window per 10 m2 of kitchen.
- The minimum kitchen ceiling height is 2.5 m.
- It is mandatory to equip the boiler with a grounding circuit.
- Cold water supply to the unit.
- The cross-sectional area of the pipe for removing waste boiler gases must correspond to the power of the boiler unit and the size specified by the boiler manufacturer.
- The walls for placing a wall-mounted boiler must be thermally insulated.
Features of boiler selection
Before examining the conditions for installation, choose the brand of boiler and a protective place where it will need to be hidden. Main characteristics when selecting:
- thermal power of the heating unit in kW;
- pure heating heating circuits - for heating and hot water supply;
- combustion chamber design option;
- unit placement option: wall-mounted or floor-mounted gas boiler;
- type of heat exchanger used in a floor-standing gas boiler;
- working volume of the heat exchanger tank.
In addition, when purchasing heating boilers, they take into account such characteristics as the consumption of gas and electricity for the boiler unit’s own needs, as well as the volume of water that it can heat per unit of time.
Fire prevention standards
In order for the installed unit to meet the requirements of fire safety standards, the following rules must be followed:
- Atmospheric boilers are allowed to be placed in the attic and on any floor of the building, except the basement.
- Turbocharged gas boiler units are allowed to be placed in any non-residential building, in attics and even in basements.
- Door leaves in rooms where boilers are installed must open outward.
- The combustion room must be protected by fire-resistant building materials with a fire protection class of at least EI45.
- Turbocharged wall devices are protected from the adjacent wall with a heat-resistant shield.
- Floor-standing boiler models are installed on a fire-resistant base.
- It is permissible to place flammable parts of the interior of a kitchen with a gas boiler no closer than 300 mm in relation to the outer surface of the unit.
Additional requirements
In order for the boiler to operate normally and safely, the following conditions must be ensured:
- air humidity in the room where the unit is installed should not exceed 80%;
- the optimal temperature for operation of the unit is 15-25 degrees;
- the surface on which the boiler will be fixed must be non-flammable. That is, if the wall of the house is concrete or brick, then no additional protective measures are required. If the house is wooden, then a sheet of steel is pre-attached to the wall. In any case, the unit is not installed close to the wall, but is mounted on special brackets so that there is a gap between the back wall of the device and the wall;
- It is also impossible to allow any objects to be located close to any wall of the boiler; the minimum gap width is 30 mm;
- the distance from the floor to the bottom wall of the boiler should be 1.0 - 1.6 meters;
- It is strictly forbidden to block access not only to the boiler itself, but also to communications. Therefore, even if hidden installation of equipment is planned, all masking panels and boxes must be made collapsible. It is important that access to gas equipment is simple and quick. That is, in order to see the boiler, you would have to open the door, and not dismantle the bulky plasterboard box, unscrewing several dozen screws.
Boiler installation features
Installation diagram of a wall-mounted boiler
Certain requirements apply to the installation of the boiler:
- When installing a wall-mounted unit, its height above the floor must be at least 1.5 meters;
- There must be sufficient air circulation. It is better to install the boiler opposite the front door and near a blank wall. If you plan to hide it in a closet, then there should be supply valves on its doors;
- If you plan to hide a gas boiler in a kitchen unit behind a box, the material it is made of should not be flammable; fire-resistant plasterboard can be used for this purpose;
- The cabinet in which the boiler is planned to be installed must be treated with a composition resistant to open fire. The distance between the boiler and the cabinet walls must be such that servicing can be carried out without problems.
Before installing a gas boiler in an apartment or private house, thoroughly read the regulatory documents:
- SNiP “Residential buildings”;
- SNiP “Gas supply” 2.04.08-87;
- SNiP “Heating, ventilation, air conditioning” 2.04.05-91
Step-by-step installation of equipment
Before installation, you need to unpack the new boiler and check the completeness of the delivery. The availability of parts is checked according to the operating instructions, which must be included with the device.
If any item is missing, please contact the supplier immediately. One more nuance. The boiler must have an ideal appearance without dents, chips or signs of repairs. If this is not the case, you need to call the sellers.
It is important to make sure that the technical data specified in the technical data sheet of the heating device exactly matches those printed on the device itself. In addition, they must correspond to the numbers specified in the operating instructions for the device.
Immediately before starting installation, you need to flush the boiler pipes, which may contain various debris that got inside during the manufacture of the device and its transportation.
Installing a gas boiler involves connecting heating pipes, water supply and gas mains, as well as installing a chimney
It is also advisable to flush the heating system lines. After the preparation is completed, you can begin installation.
Installation of a wall-mounted boiler
Wall-mounted units of small power can be placed outside a specially equipped boiler room, but they are prohibited from being installed in residential premises and bathrooms.
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It is convenient to install a compact heating unit in the kitchen if it meets all the requirements. This room already has water supply, sewerage, electrical wiring, and there is or will be a gas pipeline. In this case, you should pay attention to the following requirements for installing a wall-mounted gas boiler
:
- the space under the boiler unit must remain free;
- a wooden or frame wall of a house must be protected with a screen made of non-combustible material;
- distance from the back wall of the boiler to the fireproof wall - from 2 cm, from the protective screen - from 3 cm;
- the distance from the side walls is 10 cm for non-flammable ones, 25 cm for unprotected fire-resistant and flammable ones.
Installation of a wall-mounted double-circuit gas appliance
SES standards prohibit the use of asbestos in residential premises, therefore, to protect a wooden or frame wall, you can use mineral fiber cardboard, tile cladding, and a 3 cm thick layer of plaster. The screen must exceed the dimensions of the boiler wall by 10 cm from the bottom and sides and 70 cm from the top .
Standard mounts are mounted on the wall, and the boiler unit is hung on them. The smoke pipe is connected to a pre-installed chimney. Connect the power supply for the automation (the outlet must be grounded). Connect the heating circuit pipes. Gas connection and commissioning are carried out by specialists from the relevant service.
Installation of a floor-standing unit
Let's look at how to properly install a floor-standing gas boiler in a specially equipped room. At the boiler room design stage, provision is made for the construction of a separate foundation for a high-power boiler. The foundation is made of reinforced concrete and must be strictly horizontal. This avoids vibration and noise during equipment operation.
If a room is allocated for the boiler room on the ground floor of the house, and the floor is wooden, it is necessary to prepare a flat, non-combustible base. For this, brickwork on a spoon (flat with the wide side) or laying thick ceramic tiles (a “sandwich” of metal and then an asbestos sheet, which is glued to the metal, is placed under it). The size of the base is selected depending on the dimensions of the boiler - it should protrude at least 10 cm on each side.
Installation diagram of a floor-standing gas boiler
If the wall of the house behind the boiler is made of combustible or difficult-to-burn material, it is recommended to protect it according to the same principle as in the case of installing a wall-mounted heat generator.
After the base has gained strength, you can install the boiler in place and connect it to the chimney, to the heating circuit. The double-circuit unit is also connected to the hot water supply system. Provides power supply for automatic devices.
After completing the installation of a floor-standing gas boiler, you should call representatives of the gas service. Specialists must check the compliance of the premises and equipment with the requirements of the technical specifications. If everything is normal, the equipment is connected, commissioning work is carried out, and an agreement for the provision of gas supply services is drawn up.
Requirements for the location of the boiler
In the installation instructions, manufacturers usually indicate the minimum required clearances and distances required for normal maintenance or repair of the boiler unit. For example, such requirements are presented in the passport of the famous Buderus Logamax U072-18K (see photo below).
Requirements for distances in the instructions for the gas wall-mounted Buderus Logamax U072-18K.
Minimum distances often differ depending on the model, but on average you need to calculate:
- a gap between the boiler and the wall of 2 cm (usually provided by standard fastening);
- free space of 1 meter in front of the boiler front panel;
- free space of 80-150 cm to the left and right of the boiler;
- a distance of no less than 150 cm to the ceiling;
- the wooden wall must be insulated with non-combustible material or metal sheet with a thickness of at least 3 mm;
- the wall must withstand a load of 35-70 kg (depending on the model), otherwise it must be strengthened.
Both floor-mounted and wall-mounted models are mounted on mounting kits supplied with the boiler from the factory. There are no special requirements for fastening; as a rule, the manufacturer has already calculated the minimum required structure and its strength, so it is enough to use the factory fastening.
How to think through the design of a kitchen with a boiler
Technical fire safety rules require the installation of heating structures in furniture products. However, it is necessary to maintain a safe gap of 30 mm between the walls of the products. Additionally, it is necessary to protect the walls and adjacent cabinets from heating with special shielding inserts that prevent spontaneous combustion.
Parameters for installing a gas boiler in a furniture set
If the flow column is hidden behind a curtain façade, then the following rules must first be observed:
- The masking cabinet must be at least 6 mm wider than the heating device.
- It is prohibited to make a camouflage module with a rear wall and top/bottom covers.
That is, the camouflage cabinet will look like a furniture frame with doors. In such designs, the column will be well ventilated, without overheating. The disadvantage of this solution is that the method is completely unsuitable for small kitchens - the module takes up too much space if it is made in accordance with all the rules of safe operation.
Ventilation of this gas boiler is ensured by a lattice door and the absence of bottom and top panels of the kitchen cabinet
If it is located above a corner sink, it can be hidden behind a wall-mounted cabinet module located on adjacent walls. The floor-standing speaker is hidden in the lower racks, and the chimney is placed outside. In this case, the distance between the gas appliance and the meters should not be less than 1.5 m.
Design achievements in the field of camouflage
In all cases and camouflage options, it is necessary to observe technological indentations and ensure full ventilation of the boiler. This means that those who want to hide heating equipment need to consider options for the formation of convective flows that cool the body.
Standard cabinet furniture for installation in the kitchen is usually not designed to hide a floor-standing or wall-mounted boiler model in one of its cabinets. True, there are headsets with a module designed just for this task. However, we are interested in other cases.
Let's figure out whether it is possible to ideally hide a gas boiler in a homemade kitchen cabinet , and consider the best options that will tell you how to do this work better and more correctly.
How to hide a wall-mounted boiler?
What if you need to match a kitchen cabinet that is not designed to conceal a boiler? The simplest answer involves disassembling it and cutting out holes at the bottom for connecting communications, and at the top for the chimney outlet. However, these measures are usually not enough.
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Construction of a frame for a column
Installation on a furniture door frame
Assembling the base for the blinds
Attaching a homemade mesh door
Before upgrading a kitchen module, it is worth deciding whether it is generally suitable for housing a gas heating or water heating unit inside it. To do this, you should study and actually measure the overall dimensions.
There should be a minimum of 2 cm between all walls of the kitchen cabinet planned for remodeling and the wall-mounted gas appliance. If the unit will be hung on hooks close to a tiled or plastered wall, the back panel of the cabinet will need to be removed.
The best solution would be a frame made specifically for the gas apparatus, taking into account the necessary technological clearances and dimensions of the equipment. It is better to make this base welded metal, although it is easier and more accessible for the home craftsman to work with lumber.
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Wardrobe with lattice tops
Two-level doors with bars
Ensuring continuous ventilation
Holes in the bottom and top panels of the cabinet
It is enough to attach the doors from the kitchen cabinet to the frame. But it is better to make or order shutters with grilles or slats installed like blinds. As a result, the case will always be blown by air currents, cooled, and the device will function without interruption.
How to hide floor equipment?
Improving kitchen furniture to disguise a floor-standing unit is often not possible. The dimensions of the furniture module are usually too far from the ideal required to accommodate the heat generator with a full set of necessary gaps and indentations. In the home version, you will have to build a frame.
The indicated supporting structure must take into account that along the perimeter in plan, a distance of 10 cm should be taken from the body of the floor-standing boiler. There should be at least 30 cm between the top panel of the body and the upper edge of the frame. It is advisable to attach only the doors to the frame.
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Installing a gas unit behind a partition
Alcove in the kitchen closed by a door
Normal access for maintenance
Free air flow for an atmospheric boiler
It is strictly forbidden to cover a floor-standing boiler with airtight panels. For normal operation of the burner there must be a continuous flow of air. Therefore, doors made of solid wood or chipboards must be equipped with ventilation holes.
Ideally, the doors for a camouflage cabinet should be lattice or made in the shape of blinds with wooden slats installed at an angle. The top panel installed on the frame must also have ventilation holes. They are needed for the exit of convective air currents.
If flammable materials are used in the manufacture of a camouflage box for a boiler, measures must be taken to eliminate the slightest threat. It is recommended to cover the side walls of the structure with asbestos and roofing tin. Unprotected areas must be treated with fire retardants.
If you don’t have space to build a partition or a ready-made niche in the kitchen, think about assembling a pencil case from chipboard with non-flammable inner lining
In addition to the options listed, which admittedly are not the easiest to implement, there are methods available to most. This is pasting and painting the boiler body in compliance with the color scheme of the kitchen interior. It is possible to use decoupage techniques in the design.
What to do with communications and chimney?
Don’t forget about water, gas, chimney pipes and electrical wiring. The listed communications required for the operation of equipment for heating water or coolant look quite unattractive. Especially if they were built by an inexperienced and careless performer.
If you are quite satisfied with the appearance of the water heating device, but the area of the supply line with valves and taps is annoying, you can simply cover it with a hard screen
For the most part, communications for the operation of gas equipment cannot be masked due to the need for regular inspection and maintenance. The simplest method is to paint it with paint of a suitable color or turn it into an original art object.
Adherents of non-standard design solutions will probably come up with their own version, but for a non-trivial design, we suggest considering the option in the photo
If the kitchen is being set up in a new building from scratch, you can think about the location of the boiler and furnishings in advance. In this case, you can make a partial change in the communication route. And the electrical wiring line in any case will have to be laid separately.
In a kitchen that has served its purpose, the water and gas supply pipes are decorated in a different way. Only boxes that provide unobstructed access directly to the pipes are applicable here. Access to the shut-off valves should not cause any difficulties. The best choice for this is a blind frame.
A coaxial chimney for a boiler with a closed burner can be hidden behind a stationary duct. An example of assembling a two-tier box will be demonstrated in the following photo gallery:
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Step 1: Construction of the frame for the first tier of the box
Step 2: Sheathing the structure with plasterboard
Step 3: Construction of the second tier of the frame
Step 4: Sewing the frame and preparing for finishing
Do not forget that even such a reliable system as a coaxial-type smoke duct must be guaranteed to provide access in case of replacement or repair. That is, it is necessary to leave the opportunity to disassemble the camouflage structure if necessary. It is advisable to use materials in the finishing that you won’t mind parting with before a complete replacement.
Design options and designs
Modern gas units are stylish, elegant and compact appliances. Most often, white products are sold on the market, but you can find black ones or with bright painted patterns. Such heating equipment is usually not hidden, but is harmoniously integrated into the overall interior design. The classic solution is a gas boiler that matches the style of the kitchen furniture set. If the unit was previously installed, you can paint it in a suitable color or trim it with special applications.
Modern models can fit into the interior of the kitchen and in open form
Boiler in the style of a kitchen set
A good option for combining a white boiler with wooden cabinetry
If possible, you can paint the column manually with any patterns you like. This solution will make the kitchen original and stylish.
The mechanism of work for converting a geyser:
- the first step is to clean the unit casing;
- Next, apply a thin layer of primer for working with metal;
- after that, the front panel is painted with heat-resistant enamel in the required color, which is individually selected depending on personal preferences;
- If desired, an artistic pattern can be applied.
Boiler under the sink
Typically this space is used to store all sorts of things. But you can correct this so-so tradition and close the boiler there.
This method is especially relevant if you have a small-sized kitchen - and you quite reasonably want to wisely use every centimeter of usable space.
Solution
If you have individual gas heating, it is most difficult to beat older models of equipment. Designs released 15 or more years ago do not correspond well to modern design standards. It would be best to replace the heating devices with new ones. But such a procedure is very expensive, and professionals will have to work on it. One of the best options is therefore to camouflage gas equipment.
In the case of wall mounting of the device, it is either hidden by the facade of the cabinet, or made into an important interior detail. Since you can't hide the device, you can introduce it into the environment. Masking is bad because behind the facades it is impossible to provide a free flow of fresh air to the device. In the version with floor-standing boilers, sometimes they use canisters or boxes made of gypsum plasterboard. The design of these elements is determined solely by the stylistic direction of the kitchen.
In old premises, boilers are usually rigidly tied to some corner. And any attempt to move them results in serious problems. Government bodies require that many papers be completed regulating this procedure. And the work itself will be difficult. Therefore, the idea of moving gas equipment to a less noticeable place will most often have to be abandoned.
Things are much simpler if you are just planning to install the boiler. Then you can choose the optimal solution. Of course, taking into account all the same fire safety requirements. When placing the boiler inside the furniture, the inside of the furniture is covered with foil or other materials. It is best to immediately specify when ordering a headset that the product is needed to mask heating devices.
Proven cabinet designs are available in the assortment of any self-respecting furniture factory. They perfectly match other products in the individual collections. But if you don’t want to put the boiler in the closet, you can resort to decorating it with curtains.
This solution is optimal for old-fashioned rustic styles. In such an environment, additional textile accessories in the kitchen would be appropriate.
They act differently when an open boiler layout is selected. In this case, the decoupage technique is often used for decoration. This technique involves gluing surfaces with various stickers and coating them with varnish. An original step is to imitate fireplaces. Skillfully used decoupage can turn even the most ugly object into a kitchen decoration.
When planning the arrangement of a small kitchen with a gas boiler, you can think about painting the heating equipment. By choosing the right design, you can easily decorate the room. But you can consider another option - decorating the boilers with carved or forged grates. These products fit perfectly into a variety of styles, the choice of which is determined only by the decor. But grilles are not just decorations; they will also reliably protect children and pets from contact with open flames.
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In some cases, boilers are not decorated or disguised at all. This solution fits very well into the industrial style. We are talking about loft and high-tech styles. In the second case, it is even advisable to provide for the presence of multiple communication nodes.
Today you can easily choose boilers that look distinctly old-fashioned - they will fit into the retro style.
When thinking about the design of a kitchen-living room with a gas boiler, you need to immediately choose the same general style. In a classic room, it is completely unacceptable to display household appliances for everyone to see. The main method of camouflage is the location of the device behind the facade of the kitchen unit. This solution combines external attractiveness and free circulation of air masses in the box. In addition, lattice facades express the spirit of classics and do not interfere with the style of the room.
But it is important to remember about the ergonomics of space. This is optimally ensured when the boiler is placed in a corner. Since kitchens can be decorated in the spirit of retro, country and Provence, you need to know how to decorate gas heating in such cases. A very common technique (especially for Provence and other types of country) is to disguise the device with a textile curtain.
Camouflage textiles should be selected in the same colors as the napkins or curtains in the room. This solution allows for perfect harmony. In most cases, curtains with a floral print are used. A cage of various sizes, however, will also work.
If the owners of the house are worried about maximum safety, they can put the boiler in the cabinet in a country-style kitchen.
How to fit a geyser into the kitchen interior
The equipment is decorated in a special cabinet, which can be ordered from a furniture company and they will make it according to individual sketches or install it yourself.
A place for hidden placement of the boiler must be provided in advance
Boiler inside kitchen cabinet
The mechanism for making a masking cabinet with your own hands:
- Dimensions are taken from the heating unit, and a preliminary sketch of the future furniture design is drawn.
- Order doors from a company that manufactures kitchen modules; it is better to choose ones with an openwork pattern, this will ensure additional ventilation.
- A sketch of the future product can be applied to the walls and unit, and guide lines can be drawn along which the cabinet will be attached.
- To assemble the base, you need to buy profile sheets, take a screwdriver and self-tapping screws.
- The pipes coming out of the column are hidden in a metal box.
- The mounted profile is covered with plasterboard and the doors are attached.
- Treat the surface with a primer and after drying, paint it in the desired color.
Homemade chipboard box
Solution 8: How to close pipes and valves
The boiler is completely hidden in the cabinet, and communications go down or along the kitchen apron. This moment spoils the design - pipes and hoses need to be decorated.
In open areas, a U-shaped box is made of plasterboard, the front part of which is removable. The depth of such a channel is 2-3 cm, width - 3-4 cm. Communications are laid in it and covered with a top panel.
In the pipe cabinet you can make shelves for storing small items
You can buy ready-made plastic channels, they are sold in different colors and sizes, the facade strips are easily inserted and secured with latches.
Communications are closed with a decorative box with a removable panel
The valve should be in an easily accessible place. With all your decorative creations, accessing it should take at least 10 seconds, that is, open the door and turn off the gas.
Simple rules of camouflage
Hiding equipment is not difficult if you follow certain recommendations.
- If you leave the equipment uncovered between two modules located on either side and identical in design, the column can look organic. However, do not forget about fire safety rules, especially if the cabinets are made of natural wood or flammable materials.
- If the location is between two modules, then it can be hidden behind a simple, elegant curtain. This trick will be indispensable for country-style interiors.
Gas boiler in a country style kitchen
Compact model of a gas boiler in the kitchen interior
An example of camouflaging a boiler against a white wall
Solution 9: Using decorative grilles
Grids allow air to pass through and at the same time close the contents. For furniture facades, gratings covered with PVC film are used. You just need to choose the right color.
In the furniture fittings departments there are grilles made from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They imitate the structure of wood and have different colors. A door with a grill is the best option for a gas boiler.
Large wardrobe with lattice doors
If you cannot find the desired tone, paint the purchased grille and varnish it. For complete resemblance to the furniture, you can order the production of decorative grilles according to your samples.
How to hide communications?
The design of a kitchen with a gas boiler involves not only masking the heater itself, but also the pipe, hose and chimney. During repair work, under no circumstances should they be walled up in the walls. All parts of the gas boiler must be easily accessible and at hand. Communications just need to be decorated in the right colors. They are hidden in special boxes and profiles with doors that can be easily opened if desired. If the kitchen interior is done in high-tech style, then all communications can be left open and visible. It is enough just to tint some in the desired colors.
Pipes and gas meter inside the kitchen module
The pipes in this kitchen fit well into the loft interior, and the column is simply covered with a decorative panel
Solution 6. Smoke exhaust pipe: how to close
There is a chimney running under the ceiling to the vent. Compared to pipes and hoses, it is larger in size and consists of a corrugated or metal rectangular box.
It is impossible to remove it and our task is to make it less noticeable. We use any available method:
- cover with decorative panels;
- we build a hanging shelf above it;
- seal it with PVC film of a suitable color;
- we use vinyl stickers;
- create a thematic (abstraction, pattern) drawing.
The chimney pipe is placed in the cabinet
Design of a gas boiler in various styles
Whether the boiler is highlighted as an original element of the interior or, conversely, hidden depends on the chosen stylistic approach to kitchen design.
Classic
The classic direction does not accept the presence of any household appliances in the interior. Therefore, the best way to design a boiler in this case is to camouflage it. A good solution here is to create a cabinet of suitable dimensions, taking into account all the necessary safety requirements. The facade of the furniture set will reliably hide the unit and will not change the overall harmony of the room.
To ensure that the gas boiler does not disturb the ergonomics of the kitchen, the right solution would be to locate it in the very corner of the unit, while ensuring free access to it.
Provence or country
Rural styles are characterized by simplicity and unpretentiousness. To decorate a boiler in a kitchen in Provence or country style, you need to use one of the original design techniques:
- Hide it with printed textiles. Cotton and linen are the main components of rustic designs, so light curtains chosen to match the napkins, sofa cushions and curtains will become the highlight of the interior, highlighting and deepening it. The photos below will help you verify this.
- Creating a camouflage cabinet. The most suitable for this style and at the same time safe is a cabinet with a lattice door. It will demonstrate the style of the interior and will not violate safety regulations. The camouflage box can be decorated with wallpaper to match the walls or with paint.
- Decoupage or simply painting the boiler in a suitable color will help solve the problem.
Loft
When designing a kitchen in an industrial loft style, an appropriate element of the interior can be either an out-of-date bulky boiler or the latest generation equipment. This direction welcomes the display of all utilities: gas and water pipes, electrical wiring and more.
Therefore, camouflage of the boiler is not required. Moreover, its original highlighting and focus on its aesthetics is most inherent in this version.
High tech
High-tech style cannot be imagined without innovative kitchen equipment. When creating an interior, you will need a boiler of the latest generation with original lighting, with a chrome-plated shiny surface, reminiscent of a space unit. Masking the boiler is not required, nor is decoupage or painting.
The most acceptable option here is the ergonomic arrangement of this equipment next to other kitchen appliances that match it, and its neon glow will create a special mood and comfort in the room.
Original design solutions allow you to turn a gas boiler in the kitchen into a highlight of the interior or reliably disguise it.
Solution 2. We hide the boiler in a closet: decorating techniques
The best option for disguising a white unit is a wall-mounted kitchen cabinet. In this case, the proportions are maintained and the interior style is maintained.
How to choose a cabinet
When purchasing furniture, you need to correlate the height and depth of the cabinet with the parameters of the boiler. In this case, the cabinet should be larger and not restrict air circulation. When planning to camouflage a gas boiler, consider the main points:
- installation height;
- communications wiring;
- hose length;
- method of their installation;
- possibility of installing a mounting box/channel.
Wiring, valves and connections cannot be bricked up, they must be accessible
Cabinet installation
There are 2 installation methods:
- A wall cabinet (without bottom or roof) is mounted on the wall. A gas engineer is called and installs a gas boiler. The necessary communications are provided.
- If the water heater is already installed and you don’t want to call a gas equipment specialist, prepare the cabinet for work and hang it above the gas appliance. Before starting installation, remove the furniture door, remove the roof, and make cuts in the bottom for hoses/pipes. To add rigidity, fasten the cabinet walls with metal corners. Secure the resulting frame over the boiler.
The bottom and lid of the cabinet are missing to improve ventilation
The floor-standing boiler is installed according to the rules - in the corner of the kitchen. If desired, it can be closed with a pencil case. The height can be any, and the depth and width according to the installation instructions.