Modern standards of comfortable living dictate their conditions, and the bulky refrigerator under the window in the Khrushchev building often becomes an obstacle to ergonomic design. Apartment owners are trying to free up valuable niche space to install built-in appliances there or use this area to store products that do not require refrigeration. The dismantling process requires care, as it affects not only the furniture, but also the structural elements of the building.
Before starting work, it is necessary to carefully assess the condition thermal insulation and integrity of the brickwork. An incorrect approach to dismantling can lead to freezing of corners, mold and drafts. Your task is not just to pull out the old unit, but also to competently prepare the niche for further use.
In this article we will analyze all the stages: from choosing tools to final finishing. You will learn how to maintain the functionality of the “winter refrigerator” or completely abandon it, turning a niche into a cabinet or a place for installing new equipment.
Analysis of the design of a niche and choosing a solution
Before grabbing the tools, it is worth understanding what exactly you are dealing with. A niche under a window in old houses is not just a recess in the wall, but a complex engineering element that previously served the role of natural cooler. The wall separating the kitchen from the street was often only half a brick thick and had special ventilation holes.
There are two main ways of development of events: complete sealing of the niche with insulation or its conversion for new equipment. If you plan to completely abandon the idea of storing food in this place, you will need high-quality insulate space to avoid heat loss in winter. Otherwise, condensation will quickly turn the kitchen into a hotbed of dampness.
⚠️ Attention: Before dismantling, make sure that there are no central heating pipes or gas lines in the niche. In some series of houses, communications could be hidden in this area.
If you want to install a new refrigerator there, it is critically important to measure the dimensions. Modern models often have a depth of more than 60 cm, and the width of a standard niche may be limited. You will have to choose between built-in applianceswhich is mounted in a furniture box, or narrow solo models.
Assess the condition of the back wall. If it is damp or has cracks, restoration work cannot be avoided. Sometimes a complete re-arrangement or the use of special insulation, such as penoplex, is required to create a reliable barrier to cold.
Necessary tools and preparation for dismantling
To safely remove old equipment and prepare a niche, you will need a basic set of tools. You should not try to do this “by eye”, as old refrigerators can be heavy and the niche structure can be fragile. Preparation takes up to 20% of the total work time, but guarantees no problems in the future.
You will need:
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers and wrenches for unscrewing fasteners and removing doors.
- 🔨 A hammer drill or drill if you plan to expand the opening or dismantle brickwork.
- 📏 Construction level and tape measure for accurate measurements of new equipment.
- 🧱 Polyurethane foam and sealant for sealing cracks after installation.
Be sure to turn off the power to the refrigerator before starting work. Unplug the appliance in advance so that it has time to defrost. Water accumulated in the drainage systems of the old unit can leak out during the moving process and damage the floor covering.
⚠️ Attention: If you plan to dismantle part of the brickwork to expand the niche, make sure that it is not a load-bearing wall. Violating the integrity of load-bearing structures is prohibited and dangerous for the entire building.
Free up space in the kitchen in advance. You need a place to temporarily put your old refrigerator while you work on the niche. Also, prepare a rag to remove dust and construction debris that inevitably forms when working with bricks and mortar.
Step-by-step instructions for removing an old refrigerator
The process of removing the appliance depends on how exactly it was installed. In older homes, refrigerators were often simply pushed into a niche and held in place by spacers or tight fits to the walls. Sometimes they were additionally attached to the floor or walls for stability.
First remove the doors from the refrigerator if they interfere with the passage. This will significantly reduce the dimensions of the case and reduce the risk of damaging window or wall jambs. Use a screwdriver to remove the hinges, having first secured the door in the open position.
☑️ Dismantling equipment
Carefully tilt the refrigerator and place thick cardboard or a rug under it so as not to scratch the floor when pulling it out. You need to pull smoothly, without jerking. If the unit is on legs, they can be unscrewed first, reducing the height.
After the housing is removed, inspect the niche. Remove the remains of old insulation, foam or wooden blocks. The surface must be clean and dry before starting modernization work.
Insulation and preparation of a niche for new equipment
The most important stage is creating a reliable one. thermal barrier. If you do not plan to use the niche as a “winter refrigerator” (which is rarely done in modern conditions due to inefficiency), it needs to be turned into part of the warm contour of the apartment. Otherwise, you will get eternal condensation and cold coming from the floor.
Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) with a thickness of at least 50 mm is ideal for insulating the back wall. This material does not absorb moisture and has excellent thermal insulation properties. The sheets are glued to a special compound and additionally fixed with mushroom dowels.
All joints between the insulation sheets and the brick wall must be thoroughly foamed. Even a microscopic gap can become a bridge of cold. After the foam has dried, the excess is cut off and the surface is puttied.
| Material | Layer thickness | Thermal conductivity coefficient | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penoplex (XPS) | 30-50 mm | 0.030 W/mK | Insulation of the rear wall |
| Mineral wool | 50-100 mm | 0.035 W/mK | Void filling (with vapor barrier) |
| Penofol | 3-10 mm | 0.037 W/mK | Additional reflective layer |
| Foam plastic | 50 mm | 0.038 W/mK | Budget insulation sidewall |
Don't forget about the floor. If the niche is deep, a cold concrete slab often remains under the refrigerator. Laying a thin layer foil insulation under linoleum or tiles will help keep the kitchen warm.
Retrofit options: cabinet or built-in
After preparing the niche, you are faced with the question of functionality. The space under the window can be used in different ways. The most popular option is installation built-in refrigerator. This allows you to hide the equipment behind furniture facades, making the interior unified and harmonious.
For installation, you will need to make a furniture box. It is important to ensure correct ventilation. Built-in appliances are cooled through the front part or special grilles in the base, so air access to the rear of the case should be limited from the warm air of the kitchen, but circulation inside the box is required.
- ❄️ Installation of a built-in model with a facade in the color of the kitchen unit.
- 📦 Organizing a cabinet for storing cereals, vegetables or household chemicals.
- 🔌 Placing a dishwasher (if communications are available).
If you don’t want to mess with the furniture, you can simply cover the niche with plasterboard flush with the wall, getting a flat surface. However, this is an irrational use of space in a small kitchen. It is better to consider the option of installing a narrow cabinet or cabinet.
When choosing built-in equipment, pay attention to the system No Frost. It is more demanding on the dimensions of the niche, as it requires gaps for air circulation. Carefully study the technical data sheet of the model before purchasing.
Frequent errors during dismantling and installation
Many apartment owners make typical mistakes when trying to save time or money. For example, ignoring ventilation causes a new refrigerator to overheat and quickly fail. The compressor wears out, trying to compensate for the lack of heat removal.
Another common problem is the use of low-quality materials for insulation. Cheap polystyrene foam can crumble, and mineral wool without a vapor barrier will pick up moisture and lose its properties. As a result, in a year or two you will get a wet wall and a damp smell.
⚠️ Attention: Never install the refrigerator close to the wall without a gap. Even if it seems more beautiful this way, it disrupts the operation of the cooling system and increases the fire hazard.
It is also worth mentioning the electrical error. Often there is no socket in the niche under the window, and the owners pull an extension cord. This is a gross violation of safety rules. The wiring must be hidden, using a cable of the appropriate cross-section that can withstand the starting currents of the compressor.
What to do if the niche is too narrow?
If a standard refrigerator does not fit in width, consider installing two narrow refrigerators side by side or using a refrigerator built into a column. You can also dismantle part of the partition if the layout allows it.
Remember that proper organization of the space under the window can significantly improve the ergonomics of the kitchen. Take your time, carefully plan every step, and the result will please you for many years.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely fill a niche with brick?
Yes, this is a valid option if you do not need additional storage space. The main thing is to properly insulate the sealed area from the inside or outside so as not to disturb the thermal contour of the room.
What kind of gap is needed for a built-in refrigerator?
Usually a gap of about 5-10 mm is required on the sides and top, as well as space at the back. The exact numbers are always indicated in the instructions (manual) of a specific model; they cannot be neglected.
Do you need to dismantle the ventilation hole?
If you turn a niche into a warm cabinet or put equipment there, the hole needs to be closed and insulate. If you leave the “winter refrigerator” function, the hole must be cleaned and left open.
What is the best way to finish the inside of the niche?
Moisture-resistant drywall, painted with washable paint, or plastic panels are ideal. They are easy to clean and resistant to temperature changes.