Boxing in a Combi Boiler

gazfocus

We're in the process of buying a new kitchen and we're fitting it ourselves (with help from family members). We're just looking at ordering the units and are trying to decide whether to box the boiler in or not.

In the current kitchen, their is a very poorly built cupboard that houses the boiler - and I mean very poorly built (this was built by the house builders). There are bits of plain wood on show and it just looks a mess. The current cupboard spans from the ceiling to the worktop and is in one corner of the kitchen.

We're not planning on having any wall units on the wall where the boiler is currently located so we're not sure whether to remove the current cupboard and have the boiler on show or try to build a better looking unit using side panels and doors to suit our new kitchen.

Any suggestions?

Chopper_Read

Didn't think you were meant to box them in. Don't they need ventilation?

gazfocus

Chopper_Read wrote: »

Didn't think you were meant to box them in. Don't they need ventilation?

You can box them in as long as their's x amount of space around the actual boiler for ventilation.

happybiker

You can box the boiler in if you wish but you must do the job safely and with regard to access for future maintenance. Read your boilers instruction leaflet for guidance on clearances, ventilation etc

SailorSam

My combi is in the corner of the kitchen, when the kitchen was renewed the fitter made a simple cupboard using a side panel and matching doors.

MoneyMate

happybiker wrote: »

You can box the boiler in if you wish but you must do the job safely and with regard to access for future maintenance. Read your boilers instruction leaflet for guidance on clearances, ventilation etc

Would say exactly the same myself, just engineer access and boiler manufacturers recommendations .:beer:

Leif

I suppose it depends on your view of the boiler's aesthetics. Mine is exposed, but I made a cover to hide the pipes coming from the top, and going to the ceiling. I made it from MDF, painted with white emulsion paint. Personally I think boiler's look okay, and a cupboard would add nothing, but that is my view.

cattie

How long do you think you'll stay in the house?, only you might need to be thinking about resale opinions. I personally loathe boilers on show & whenever I've had a new kitchen installed, a cupboard hiding the boiler away has always been a must.

If I were to look at a house with an exposed boiler it would put me off right away, unless the kitchen was still a current one & I could easily source the materials needed to enable the boiler to be boxed in from the kitchen supplier.

ValHaller

cattie wrote: »

.... If I were to look at a house with an exposed boiler it would put me off right away, unless the kitchen was still a current one & I could easily source the materials needed to enable the boiler to be boxed in from the kitchen supplier.

And if I were to look at a house with a boxed in boiler, it would put me off right away, because I would have a substantial fear that it had been boxed in purely with regards to appearance and that gaining access for repair and maintenance would be impossible without other units being taken apart.

ValHaller

gazfocus wrote: »

Boxing in a Combi Boiler

Any suggestions?

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