Recessed floor outlets: Seeking product suggestions

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

We're installing floor outlets in a remodel. (Electrician doing the work, not us.)

But before I ask anything I'll anticipate some of the comments so you can skip telling me things I already know. I've read the posts in the discussion space on this topic already and haven't found what I'm looking for. Yes, I'm willing to commit to furniture placement; we're going to live in the house for the rest of our lives and know our preferences quite well. No, I won't run cords under rugs. This is a big space and it truly needs the outlets to have adequate task lighting, charge laptops while we're using them, etc. (Can you tell I've asked questions here before and gotten advice on other topics instead of the thing I'm asking? I don't want to discourage people from offering ideas; I'm here because I don't know what I don't know. I've just noted a tendency in some commenters to criticize a decision that's already made when they don't know the context and without actually answering the question that's being asked. I'm hoping to get the genuinely helpful advice and expertise from the smart people I know are here.)

I'd like the outlets to be truly recessed, with the box below floor level far enough that the plugs themselves aren't sticking up, small notches on the sides of the cover plate for the wires to extend from in a controlled way, and USB charging slots in the gang along with the regular grounded plug spots.

In my dreams, I have the ability to fit a matching piece of flooring on top of the whole installation with little notches for the wires and the whole thing is relatively invisible. Most of the use will be for things that stay plugged in, with occasional computer charging and what-not.

My husband's research has led him to plenty of systems that have a low-profile cover plate but it's always on top of the floor level, not below. They often don't have a USB option available. Electrician just wants to know make/model; he's not researching this.

Is there a solution he's not finding? Suggestions for the most unobtrusive approach welcomed. My husband is very good with construction and electrical work (always with a permit, always to code) so he could do additional work after the electrician installs the wiring, if need be.

Featured Answer

Paul F.

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I just had this put in the other day. I had one installed but it was a huge lump on the floor that could be seen under a rug... maybe just by me. This is the only one that I could find that was flat. The electrician put it in and my floor guy is going to cut a perfect circle out in the flooring to make it lay flush.

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Comments (7)

mvcanada
2 years ago
I see a few options - not sure if they would work for you or if they are approved in your area (one comes from UAE, another from UK.

BwECable Ties and more

This one is made for a desk application but might work for your needs as well.

No See Receptacle

This one seems to be more for walls than floors, but the fact that you can use your flooring material in the lid makes it fairly well concealable.

Floorboxes

This one is from the UK - looks very nice - maybe not as unobtrusive as you've described in your wish list.

OBO - UAE

This one is from United Arab Emirates - looks like a good product - but you or maybe your electrician would need to ensure it would meet building codes for your location.

Seems most of these are intended more for office building installations - more corporate than for personal homes - but I don't see any reason why it can't be used in residential if it will meet your needs and pass local code.
Barb Chamberlain thanked mvcanada
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palimpsest
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
My problem with most floor outlets is the lid. Either it's a removable lid, which could be misplaced, or a hinged lid that sticks up. To me it didn't matter how seamless it looked, if it still had to be "open" or uncovered to function, and then it loses that flush-ness.

I put in one of these. You can take out a plug (yes, I know you have to be careful not to misplace this) and insert a rubber grommet, and the cord and plug go down inside the box. This comes in a 4 gang version and comes with ports for other options.

My carpenter was able to mount things in my floor flush by routing into the finish flooring material.

They probably aren't as nice-looking as you would like, but they solve the issue of the plug or lid sticking up. I have lots of "flush" things in my house, register covers, baseboards, trimless door jambs etc., and I looked all over for very minimal floor boxes, and this is the best I came up with.

Trufig makes completely flush receptacles and switches, in which surface materials can be inserted but not for floors.
Barb Chamberlain thanked palimpsest
Paul F.
2 years ago
Mine has the little plastic tabs that can be broken out depending how many cords are coming out. I saw your recessed baseboards. I had to have them. Had I known how difficult to do on a 100 year old house not sure I would have attempted it. I love them... NOW.
Barb Chamberlain
Original Author
2 years ago
After more searching here's what my husband landed on that looks pretty close to our flooring color and has the slimmest possible flange profile: https://www.aifittings.com/catalog/floor-boxes/inbox-floor-box-kit-with-recessed-wiring-device/FLBR5420BR. I still think there's some DIY thing we could do to put even the flange part below floor level, with the box properly supported, and create a pull-out lid from the flooring with a little notch for the cables. Both of us hate the idea of cutting into brand-new flooring and getting it wrong so we may do some practice on a plank of the extra flooring we bought.
wdccruise
2 years ago
Arlington FLB3520 Floor Box Kit (flush)

But I would stick with the FLBR5420 as the flange will cover up imperfections in the circle cut in the floor. The kit comes with a Decora receptacle but if it's a standard size and its attachment to the box assembly is standard, you could substitute a receptacle with USB ports (example).
w0lley32
2 years ago
Someone who knows how to use a router could measure the thickness of the flange and trim the floor accordingly using the flange as a template. Then the box with the flange would sit exactly at the same thickness as the floor.
Barb Chamberlain thanked w0lley32