Electrical outlets under windows in kitchen?

8 years ago

We have two windows flanking our range. We can't put electrical outlets on the sides of the windows as there are structural posts/framing in the way. The only place we can put the outlets is under the windows or in the window sill. The windows are 6" above the counter. We do not want to put any pop up outlets in the counter.

We plan to put an outlet inside each hutch on the ends. However, per code we need at least one outlet every 4' and within 2' of the range. Therefore, we must have an outlet 2' from the range (which would be off center to the window).

Options I've thought of -

1. We've considered installing a standard outlet horizontally under the window, but i worry the fact that it is off center will bug me.

2. I'm also looking at sillite outlets installed in the window sill or possibly in an apron trim piece under the sill.

3. Also, i could install a second outlet under each window in order to have two outlets that are at least symmetrical/centered on window (rather than one off center outlet).

4. Trufig/bocci 22 outlets - i've looked at these but the prices just seem crazy. I'm not sure i can justfiy spending $600 on 2 outlets.

We haven't yet decided on a backsplash material but it will likely be either a handmade tile or a stone slab in a light color (likely white / off white).

Would love to see pictures and feedback on different options for solving this dilemma.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Mark Bischak, Architect

8 years ago

Do you have a steel beam in your kitchen??

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Comments (17)

cpartist
8 years ago
Are you having standard window sills? If so, put plug mold under the sill.
bardzil
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes we will have a window sill. The other windows in our house will also have an apron, but we could elimate that for these windows.

Will plug mold be hidden by sill? I was worried it would be visible and they aren’t that attractive, correct? Maybe right under sill, it would Ben hidden. If anyone can post a photo of that, I would love to see it.
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wilson853
8 years ago
That's a lovely symmetrical wall, so to make it the least conspicuous, I would use a sillite. I have one on an island panel that was too narrow to accommodate a regular switch plate. Luckily I learned about them on this forum. My electrician had never heard of them. I have angled plugmold under my wall cabinets, but I think in that location it might be too visible.
PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
8 years ago
You could also break up the drawer faces and put a plug into the face of the cabinet or a false drawer front (like an island).
cpartist
8 years ago
BTW: I would make those cabinets into drawers and not cabinets. Trust me you'll get a heck of a lot more use from drawers.
bardzil
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, I thought maybe I should have one cabinet with rollouts in case I have items that don’t fit in drawers. I can still switch to drawers though.
wilson853
8 years ago
Another option.
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lkbum_gw
8 years ago
Our daughter just finished her kitchen remodel and had to install an outlet under a window to meet code. A little hard to see in the photo. With her back splash you barely notice it.
weedmeister
8 years ago
Shrink the window height a bit and put receptacles under the windows.
PRO
toddinmn
8 years ago
Throw a few air hoses on that I beam!
mainenell
8 years ago
Those outlets in the drawer fronts look awkward. The entire time you have something plugged in to them you essentially have a drawer open a few inches to bump into.
cfillyaw
8 years ago
We had to do it in our kitchen.
emilyam819
8 years ago
I’ve never noticed that a plug is off center of something. Just make sure the recepticle matches the backsplash.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
8 years ago
It helps to have a Tigers baseball cap in the kitchen.
Robbie Johnson
5 years ago
Did you ever figure this out? We have a VERY similar layout and have windows going to the counter, so no room underneath.
SBDRH
5 years ago
Most electrical codes require a receptacle no more than 2 feet away from the range on either side. Our initial framing plan had the windows low to the counters on either side of the range, and we ended up raising them in order to get the electrical outlets placed to code.

https://fremont.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7164/KITCHEN-RECEPTACLES