Kitchen sinks are typically placed under windows because the window can help filter the bad smell from the sink. Also, kitchen sink plumbing will have a short drain pipe filtered to the outside.
Having the sink under the window allows you to let in fresh air while airing out your kitchen and getting rid of the unwanted smells. This is also a good option for those kitchen disasters when you burn something and need somewhere to place a hot pan or baking dish while venting the smoke out of the kitchen.
The simple reason why kitchen sinks have traditionally been placed under the window is that the window is, obviously, on an outside wall. In terms of plumbing, using as short a waste pipe as possible from the sink to the drains is not only the most effective but also the cheapest, solution.
You do NOT have to put a sink in front of the window.
The perfect location for placing sinks and taps is the north-east direction as they indicate flowing water. Also, one should ensure that the sink and taps must be placed away from the cooking gas as water and fire are two opposing elements.
Almost anything is possible, and your kitchen design specialist can advise you on your options. Keep in mind that you can put the sink anywhere you want, but changing the plumbing will affect your budget.
Moving the sink is almost always possible. The only problem with moving it is how the sink drain is vented. A drain must have a vent so that the water can move freely. Moving the drain and/or the water is very simple in most cases.
There are no specific building codes that define the height of a window behind a kitchen sink. You only need to be sure your window meets the requirements that codes set out for how far any typical interior window must sit above the floor.
Cost to Move a Sink in a Kitchen
Moving the sink means running both the faucet lines and the new drain line to the new location. This has an average cost range of $440 to $2,600.
The primary purpose of double-bowl sinks was to make dishwashing easier: one bowl for soapy water, the other bowl with clean water for rinsing. Nowadays, the double-bowl sink is rarely used for dishwashing. However, this type of kitchen sink does more than make dishwashing easier.
You can put an electric stove under a window. Most building codes don't have restrictions that prevent you from placing your electric stove under a window. But, over time, the window may accumulate grease and grime or fog up with steam. So, be sure to clean it consistently.
When it comes to what to do with the space around low kitchen windows, you can install something that works best for you and your family, such as a breakfast bar, floating countertops, or a window seat. Another choice you have is that you can add a cabinet in front of a low window, or you can install a floating sink.
So should you have windows in your kitchen? Windows are not necessary for a kitchen, but they are desirable. They are a great way to provide your space with natural light and allow air to freshen up your kitchen after long hours of cooking.
Window Size Above Kitchen Sink
To do this, you will need to know the height of your cabinets — traditionally 34 1/2 inches — and the thickness of your countertop — usually 1 1/2 inches. The window height, therefore, should be set at 37 inches.
Kitchen windows are traditionally placed higher than windows in other rooms — 42 inches should give you room for lower cabinets, counters and backsplash. Working within the constraints of your outside walls, try to place windows to maximize access to natural light and weather, which tends to move from west to east.
Standard Sink Heights
Kitchen sink heights can also vary as much as 10 inches, between 29 to 39 inches high, depending upon the height of the people in the home. Average kitchen countertops with inset sinks stand at about 36 inches high.
Sinks tend to attract clutter, dirty dishes, and, often, become an area for clean, drying dishes. Putting the sink in the island also means that guests will be looking directly at all of the food scraps that end up in the sink. I suggest, instead, that the cooktop be placed in the island.
A vent is a necessary part of the drain system for any plumbing fixture. Its purpose is to equalize pressure in the pipes and prevent a vacuum from forming as the fixture drains.
According to the kitchen triangle rule, each side of the triangle should measure no less than four feet and no more than nine feet and, ideally, the perimeter of the triangle should be no less than 13 feet and no more than 26 feet. In other words, not too small and not too large.
We recommend putting the cooktop in the island because it is great to be able to face your family and friends while you are cooking. It allows others to help you with meal preparation easily.
The sink, main refrigerator, and stove should be in close proximity to each other. You require a minimum of 4 feet between each point to easily maneuver, and equally not more than 9 feet. This allows easy access to get food from the refrigerator to a preparation point, and then into the oven.
A kitchen sink does not need to be centered under a window. It can be located off the side, on a kitchen island, or under a cabinet if that's what you prefer. Each layout is unique and that has to be accounted for when choosing the right spot for a sink.
The Return of the Closed-Off Kitchen
Kitchens open to the family room have long reigned supreme, but the closed-off kitchen — or at least partially closed-off kitchen — is making a comeback. While they may not be relegated to separate rooms, the trend is towards defined zones.