"Winter refrigerator" of Khrushchev's apartments - options for using a niche under the window. Khrushchev refrigerator. How to make a refrigerator under the window How to remake a winter refrigerator in Khrushchev

Residential buildings of the Soviet era imprinted in the landscapes of the cities of the former CIS for many years. And if in megacities Khrushchev houses are actively demolished, erecting skyscrapers in their place, equipped according to all modern requirements, then the inhabitants of the periphery can only dream of such a resettlement and continue to make repairs in their "houses of cards".

One of the objects of the past that deserves special attention is a winter refrigerator in the kitchen under the window. It was especially popular back in the 50s of the last century and replaced a full-fledged refrigerator in winter. Let us consider in more detail what its advantages are and how the design can be modernized.

Design features

The "Khrushchev refrigerator" is a deep niche located under the window in the kitchen, in place of a traditional radiator (in these projects, the radiators are slightly shifted to the side). A small layer separates the street from the premises in this place brickwork, which contains technological gaps for the penetration and circulation of cold air, as well as for ventilation.

The modest dimensions of the niche in those days were quite enough for the periodic storage of perishable products for six months. Besides window sill refrigerator saves kitchen space, depriving owners of the need to purchase alternative electrical equipment.

The kitchen window sill replaced the table during the warm season, and the space under it was used as an additional area for storing non-perishable food.

Design advantages:

And most importantly - there is always the opportunity to remake the refrigerator, using a niche at your discretion.

But window sill refrigerators also have disadvantages.. The main one is poor thermal insulation. Cold air constantly enters through the cracks, and if the kitchen faces the north or east side, the winter winds take all the heat out of the room.

Rebuild Options

Khrushchev's refrigerators do not suit everyone, and that is why they learned how to re-equip them.


There are several ways:

  1. Installing the battery in place of the refrigerator. The niche under the window sill in the kitchen is laid almost completely, only a small depression of 10–15 cm remains. A heat source is mounted in place of the former refrigerator.
  2. Niche insulation. The doors of the refrigerator are pasted over with a heat insulator, and the device is used for its intended purpose.
  3. A window instead of a niche. The partition separating the street from the premises is dismantled and a large window is installed.
  4. Kitchen with balcony. After dismantling the partitions on the first or second floor, an additional balcony is equipped using pile supports. But such redevelopment requires the permission of the house management organization.

With proper wall insulation a niche is also used to install a cabinet under the window in the kitchen.

clean refrigerator

Demolition of the refrigerator begins with clearing space for work. All products from the niche and utensils are removed from the windowsill, the curtains are temporarily removed and, if possible, the wall adjacent to the window is freed. If it is planned to re-glue the wallpaper, the old finish is dismantled.

Further algorithm:

  1. Remove the doors refrigerator, shelves and dismantle the box.
  2. Cleanse the walls from dust and debris.
  3. Close up bridges of cold(technological holes in outer wall for ventilation) with cement mortar.
  4. The niche is laid with bricks. In order to avoid condensation during the cold season, it is advisable to leave a small air gap inside the wall.

The thickness of the masonry is chosen by each individually: it depends on the subsequent use of the pledged space.

For your information. They insulate the wall in different ways: outside the building, from the side of the room or from the inside of the wall. The surest way is outside the house, since it is not known exactly where the dew point is. And in case of its displacement at internal insulation walls, fungus and dampness will appear on their surface.

Modernize a niche

Option with a seasonal refrigerator - a practical idea. For a family with small needs, this space is often sufficient for temporary storage of perishable products. If you bring the old Khrushchev refrigerator into proper shape, you get a spectacular and functional niche.

It is known that cold air entering the closed space through the ventilation openings seeps through the old doors that do not close tightly into the room. Respectively, the main object to be replaced is the doors. But many, making the reconstruction of the refrigerator, are not limited to one door and completely repair the entire refrigerator.

On a note. Optimal solution for the Khrushchev refrigerator - metal-plastic doors with high-quality fittings.

As a filler, choose a sandwich or double-glazed window. Provided that the doors with a double-glazed window are installed, it is appropriate to equip the niche with lighting and its complete internal reconstruction.


The overhaul of the refrigerator is mainly carried out in summer time, along with the replacement of the window sill and window . The first thing to do is to choose a company for ordering metal-plastic structures and invite a measurer. After installing a new window, wait for the complete curing of the mounting foam. Repair of the window sill space can begin when the structure is firmly held in the window opening.

Sequence of work:

  1. Dismantling of old doors, shelves and the whole box. The doors are removed, the old shelves are removed and the old wooden box is completely dismantled. This should be done carefully so as not to increase the opening to an unprecedented size.
  2. Installation new design . A new metal-plastic frame is mounted in the resulting space, having previously removed the doors from it. Fix it with anchor bolts in the opening according to the level. After the structure is installed in strict accordance with the vertical and horizon, the frame is firmly fixed and the doors are mounted. Upon completion of installation, all slots are blown out mounting foam.
  3. Finishing work. When the foam hardens and the structure is firmly in place, proceed to the finish. Usually, the interior space is sheathed with moisture-resistant drywall with further plastering works or framed in plastic. Any polymer insulation should be laid under the finish. If lighting is provided in the installation, this moment is thought out in advance by laying the wiring and installing the lamp.

At the final stage, it remains only to check the performance of the system and install shelves drawers.

Cabinet arrangement under the windowsill

The working area of ​​​​the kitchen by the window is the dream of every second housewife. Thanks to the abundance of daylight, you can not use backlights and save energy.


If you equip a full-fledged countertop instead of a window sill over the resulting niche, you get a workspace and a functional niche that can easily fit a dishwasher or washing machine, oven, microwave, mini-fridge or communications for installing a sink.

The main stages of work after the complete dismantling of the old structure:

  • installation of a solid countertop;
  • arrangement of a niche (covering the space with drywall or other material);
  • installation of under-table lockers;
  • arrangement of necessary communications;
  • installation of technical electrical appliances (if any);
  • plumbing installation.

On a note. If used under working area wall adjacent to the window, in a small kitchen there will be additional space for installing a dining set.

Glazing unnecessary space or arranging a balcony

A half-brick wall separating the interior of the refrigerator from the street, and the side parts of the niche do not carry significant loads, so it is quite possible to disassemble them and install a single full-size structure in the form of a window or a door to the balcony in the resulting opening.

The most difficult part of this redevelopment is obtaining permission., which depends on factors such as the location of the house. If the building is located in the central part of the city, the city authorities may not issue a permit so that the integrity of the facade is not violated. Also, if the building is in disrepair, it will most likely not be possible to obtain permission for redevelopment.

Attention! If you live above the first floor, take care of the safety of passers-by before carrying out dismantling. Isolate the area where debris might fall by shielding the site with brightly colored tape.

Only after all the necessary agreements have been made, you can proceed to further actions.:

  1. Taking measurements and creating a drawing. Using a tape measure, measure the opening, taking into account the quarters, and sketch out a rough sketch of the future design. In the case of the device of the functional space outside the window, you will also need a project for the future veranda.
  2. Ordering a window structure. In any window company or factory you can order window construction taking into account its characteristics and exact dimensions. As a rule, the average production time of a metal-plastic window is half a month. When the design is delivered to the house, proceed to its installation.
  3. Dismantling works. Remove the old refrigerator and window structure from the installation site. This must be done carefully so that the break does not turn into a new masonry wall. From below, the opening is expanded to right size. Thoroughly clean the edges.
  4. Construction installation. In most cases, specialists from window companies are invited for such work. But, having certain skills and knowledge, a metal-plastic window can be inserted independently. To begin with, unpack the structure by removing all double-glazed windows from the frame. Then install it in the prepared opening and fix it with anchors. They check the level by thoroughly fixing the structure to the walls, and blow out the slots with mounting foam. Install double-glazed windows back, adjust the sash.
  5. Final stage. After the foam has completely hardened, it is cut off with any knife so that the material does not protrude from the slots. To installed design served as long as possible, it is necessary to putty the slopes as soon as possible after installing the window, since the mounting foam is capricious in relation to the open sun. Ultraviolet has a destructive effect on the structure of the material, and without taking appropriate measures, cold bridges may soon form inside the window opening.

If you plan to add a balcony or veranda, a channel is attached to the floor below with the help of anchors. In the case of the first or second floor, supports can be installed for additional reliability. To do this, with the help of a drill, they dig holes in certain places with a depth of at least 80 cm. Gravel is poured into the bottom, support beams are installed according to the level and the holes are filled with a concrete screed, without adding 15–20 cm to the edge. When the cement sets, the remaining space is covered with earth and rammed. Next, a frame is welded to the attached channel and supports and sheathed with iron sheets.

For your information. The balcony, completely sheathed in glass, will be bright and warm due to the sunlight penetrating into the room.

In some cases, an additional living room is equipped in place of the attached balcony.. In order to avoid large heat losses, in addition to the main insulation of the balcony in the room, it is recommended to install a warm floor.

Conclusion

The presence of a Khrushchev refrigerator in the kitchen is convenience and practicality. If the idea of ​​a refrigerator is unacceptable to you, use the usable space according to your personal needs.

The refrigerator in the kitchen can be left, slightly insulated, completely modernized in accordance with the new design, or completely demolished, using the resulting niche for another purpose. However, for global changes, do not forget to issue permission. Successful remodeling!

Old five-story buildings, designed more than 60 years ago, still occupy at least ten percent of the country's total housing stock. They were designed to meet the minimum household needs, so they did not differ in special comfort.

Years passed, the well-being of the people grew, and the inhabitants of these "Khrushchev" began redevelopment, as some design ideas became obsolete, in particular, a thin outer wall under the window in the kitchen, which served as a cold pantry. And now every house has refrigerators, so there is no need to have a built-in closet with this function. And the apartment owners began to transform and transform this corner of the kitchen.

There are so many options and ideas rational use even in such a small space. After all, the kitchens in the apartments of those projects have a very small area - from five to seven square meters. But no matter how tiny it is, you need to try to make it more comfortable and functional, because it is here that all family members spend most of their time.

The main task in the design of the kitchen is the organization of a comfortable working area for cooking and at least a small dining area.

Today we will look at some interesting and useful tips, which will help you decide how to more rationally use a niche in the kitchen.

1. Use a niche for storing vegetables and preserving

In order not to load the refrigerator with vegetables in the winter, you can use this niche as a cold pantry. If necessary, insulate the wall a little so that vegetables do not freeze during severe frosts. Replace shelves and front doors with more modern and practical ones. You can even use glass ones, the only condition is that there must be order so as not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the interior.

2. Store things and objects in a niche

Depending on how you organize the space around this niche, you can store both very popular things and objects there, and vice versa. If there is free access to it, then have those items that you use constantly. Suddenly access will be limited, it is very convenient to put there everything that you use rarely or seasonally. But in any case, such an additional cabinet will be able to free you a table or hanging shelves. At the same time, it is desirable to insulate the wall so that cold air does not penetrate into the apartment. Such a niche can be done both with open shelves and with closed ones.

3. Install the battery in the niche

This niche can be used as a place for a radiator, after insulating the wall thermal insulation materials. If you place it in the depth of the vacated space, you can not only solve the problem of heating the apartment, but also significantly save space.

4. Replace the window sill with a work area with a sink

If you manage to transfer communications, then instead of a window sill, put a countertop with a sink. Such a solution will be rational and convenient, not only will there be more space immediately, but the working area itself under the window will be well lit, and the interior will change - it will become more fashionable and stylish.

If you decide on this kind of redevelopment, you need to take into account some of the nuances. For example, the width of the slopes, in order not to place the sink too close to the window, in order to avoid rising humidity and mold. In no case should such innovation interfere with the opening and closing of the window.

5. Replace the window sill with a work area countertop

There is a more rational option, when instead of a window sill, only a working area with spacious shelves or drawers is installed. In this case, it becomes possible to free up a lot of space, since the curbstone of such a table will be in a recess, which will allow you to hide more kitchen utensils.

6. Set up a comfort zone for eating

It is good to use this area as a dining area. You can remove the shelves and niche partitions, this will help free up legroom under the table, as well as for chairs or stools.

There are many original variants for the transformation of the dining table-windowsill. It will be a classic rectangular table, round or figured, or maybe a spectacular bar counter - it's up to you. The main thing is that it harmoniously fits into the interior of your kitchen and takes up a minimum of space.

Depending on the available space, you can choose which surface design to use - stationary, reclining, folding or retractable. The last three are more suitable for those who have a very small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen itself.

View a selection of original design solutions when making a niche under the window and the area around it.

The refrigerator under the window has its drawbacks, which do not suit many, such as poor thermal insulation of the room, and therefore, most devices of this type have undergone various modifications.

There are three main options:

  • Completely or partially seal the space below the window sill, and leave a small niche for installing the battery
  • Paste the refrigerator with insulation, especially the door, so that air does not penetrate into the room in winter, and use it for its intended purpose, in summer as a cabinet, in winter as a refrigerator.
  • Completely remove the partition separating the room from the street, remove the window sill, and put a large window. Naturally, the thermal insulation will become even worse, and in order to compensate for this, it is necessary to make a loggia or a balcony so that there is another layer of air.
  • We remove the refrigerator

    This best option, which is suitable for most, because in the warm season it is very hot indoors, and cold in winter. For residents of the northern regions, this is an ideal option to ensure a good heat capacity of the room.

    It is best to seal a niche with a brick to ensure the reliability and durability of the structure. Ideally, it is better to align the niche with the main thickness of the wall. It is advisable to leave a space for air in the middle so that there is no condensation due to a sharp temperature drop. You can insulate the wall on top of the brickwork from the inside, which will make the problem area much more comfortable. There is an option for insulation outside the room, then the entire surface is sheathed with foam boards, plus plaster along with surface painting, which will completely eliminate the problem of a cold room.

    You can leave a small niche for the battery, 10-15 cm, and install a heating radiator to fully compensate for the lack of a cold wall. The window sill can be replaced, because in houses with such a refrigerator they are very large, due to the space below.

    Advice ! You can also use the window sill as a tabletop, and use the space under it for a chair and other things, it will not interfere with your legs.

    Refrigerator improvement

    It is quite possible to improve the refrigerator on your own without the help of specialists.

    The main problematic place in the refrigerator is the door, if it is well insulated, it will make the room more comfortable. It is better to take a metal-plastic door, from the same profile as the window. You should not install sliding and other doors with unreliable fixation and many gaps, which are more expensive and will let a lot of cold into the room.

    Advice ! Attention should be paid to the snug fit of the door to the refrigerator, it is possible to glue an additional insulation tape at the point of contact.

    As internal material you can use special sandwich panels that optimally store cold and do not let it through the structure. This will make the refrigerator a little smaller, but it will help to isolate the air in it and not spread it to the walls and into the room.

    With the simultaneous replacement of the window sill with a smaller one, and when the brick row has not yet been laid out (if any), it is possible to slightly increase the refrigerator in height, reducing the useful part of the window.

    The interior space can be sealed with plasterboard or plastered. Drywall must be puttied at the joints, and edges should be made at about 20 degrees to avoid deformation, because it can expand, and the plastered edges will take on the entire load.

    In any case, the interior space must be insulated so that the cold does not penetrate the walls, but is concentrated and remains in the refrigerator, and in summer the heat also does not reduce the comfort in the room.

    In order to avoid the destruction of the wall from condensate, it is necessary to make gaps between the drywall / sealant and the wall so that there are additional layers of air to minimize a strong temperature difference, a warm homely atmosphere and a cold street.

    You can make a light in the refrigerator so that you can see better, using simple elements for standard refrigerators, for example, a transformer and others, fixing them in a box next to the refrigerator, in a warm place with a stable temperature.

    They can endure and negative temperature, but the moisture and frost that is inside the refrigerator may cause damage to the unit and take up additional space.

    Important ! Inside the refrigerator is the most inappropriate place for electrical equipment.

    The rear wall can also be insulated with a layer of brickwork, but one should not forget that the main source of cold in winter is the holes in the wall, which are best left uncovered. Also, when plastering, they cannot be sealed.

    When building a veranda or when insulating an existing one, we must not forget about the need for air to enter the holes. To improve efficiency, you can lead the tube through the veranda to the outside, and carefully seal everything around it so that the air goes only through the pipeline, and glue it with a heat insulator, the best remedy to keep the temperature and effective work no refrigerator.

    At the last stage, shelves and drawers are attached.

    Advice ! They should be oversized and simple to save precious space.

    Glazing of unnecessary space

    This is in a good way a visual extension of the kitchen, and makes it a great design masterpiece, a large window is essential to set the mood every morning if you live in an area with not-so-cold winters.

    This part of the wall, with a refrigerator, does not carry a special load, so you can safely remove it.

    First, you should measure everything, and make at least an approximate plan for the future window or veranda, find out the dimensions in the store, and order the future window using them.

    It is possible to leave the window sill, but be careful with it, not forgetting that both below and above are glass.

    Important ! When removing a partition above the first floor, it is important that there is a person below, or an indicator that work is underway. Ideally, you should limit the possible fall zone of building materials with a bright tape so that people see the danger and pass this area more carefully.

    After cleaning the refrigerator and part of the wall, it is important to clean the edges so that the installers do not have to break up unnecessary and interfering areas for half a day.

    After inserting the window by the workers, the gaps must be blown out with mounting foam, wait until it hardens, and cut off the excess with a knife.

    Advice ! So that the foam does not deteriorate from moisture and the sun, it should be puttied or plastered

    If you plan to make a small veranda, you should fix the channel on the floor with anchors from below, and sheathe the protruding part with iron sheets.

    The resulting step from the channels can be carefully decorated, the railing can be fixed in the wall, and fixed above the platform with stops on the floor.

    If the veranda is completely sheathed with glass, this will help to keep warm.

    Advice ! Additionally, you can make floor heating, in order to make the room much more comfortable, since through such windows there is a large loss of heat.

    But for these works in the apartment, a permit is required, because what we will do will possibly damage the entire structure, floors above and below. Same as demolition bearing walls and other elements that can lead to the destruction of the entire building.

    Conclusion

    The refrigerator under the window is a very convenient and practical tool, which, unfortunately, many have said goodbye to. If you are lucky and you still have such a refrigerator, then you can use it to save money on electricity, and how extra bed for food storage and preservation.

    If you do not need it, then you can make a beautiful veranda that will cheer you up every morning at breakfast.

    How to make a refrigerator under the window you can additionally learn from the following video

    Moving to new apartment has always been a joyful event for people.

    And when, in the 60s, our compatriots began to actively move from their dilapidated wooden houses or densely populated "communal apartments" to separate apartments with central heating, they felt as if people were moving to palaces.

    And none of them even thought of wanting to criticize their precious square meters and call them the offensive word "Khrushchev".

    Moreover, in each of these apartments there was a lot of good things. For example, a niche under the window in the kitchen is a seasonal kitchen refrigerator.

    Refrigerator under the window

    We must pay tribute to the designers: the walls in the brick houses of that period were built very massive.

    Accordingly, the window sills were also immense, which the residents, unfamiliar with the word “design”, tried to decorate by placing pots of flowers on them.

    Particularly convenient was the wide window sill in the kitchen, which, despite its small size, allowed the housewives to use the window sill as an additional work surface.

    Almost until the 70s of the last century, a refrigerator was considered a rarity and was not in every kitchen.

    Given this circumstance, the architects used a niche under the kitchen window to create a kind of refrigerator.

    True, such a refrigerator was suitable for storing perishable products only in winter, but, for lack of a better one, it was quite suitable for the residents in the Khrushchev.

    Full cabinet

    Times have changed. Today, the presence in the kitchen of a modern household appliances, including a real refrigerator, no longer surprises anyone.

    Therefore, the need to put products in a niche under the window has disappeared by itself.

    But every hostess wants to use the entire area as much as possible. small kitchen in the “Khrushchev”, using the niche of the seasonal “refrigerator” as an additional cabinet to accommodate a wide variety of kitchen utensils.

    A refrigerator niche is quite suitable for storing a small supply of vegetables and pickles. To do this, it will need to be insulated, that is, sealed through hole in the wall.

    Popular drywall is not suitable for these purposes, since condensation will certainly begin to accumulate between the sheathing and the outer wall. In the future, this will lead to the appearance of mold and the destruction of the skin.

    To close the hole, it is best to use brickwork.

    It will not be superfluous interior design such a refrigerator: plastering, painting, neat design of shelves that you can do yourself or order a specialist.

    Another option: change old windows to plastic ones - order from the "windowers" and the decoration of the winter refrigerator.

    Territory of heat

    One of the options for using a niche under the window in the Khrushchev apartment is installation of a heating radiator in it.

    Moreover, among the owners of apartments there are many who prefer the increased air temperature in their home.

    And although the alteration cannot be called small, the refrigerator niche in the Khrushchev kitchen is great for installing a battery in it, and such a repair will justify itself.


    To begin with, you will have to close up a through hole in the wall using brickwork, then proceed with the direct installation of the radiator.

    To avoid negative consequences, it is better to entrust this work to specialists who are well acquainted with the process technology.

    After the plumbers install the radiator battery, it will be possible to proceed to the design of the niche.

    Advice. The design and design of the niche must fully comply with the overall style decision of the kitchen.

    Old to new

    It must be admitted that during the period of mass construction of the 60-70s, design was not a favorite of architects and designers.

    Because interior decoration and decoration in the Khrushchev apartment did not differ in particular beauty and variety. The doors that closed the “refrigerator” under the window also looked boring.

    From poorly polished plywood, covered with blue or gloomy green paint, complemented by a primitive handle and a rough latch, the doors of the “Khrushchev” refrigerator did not even try to look aesthetically pleasing.

    Such a design, of course, does not suit modern residents.

    And today there are many opportunities for stylish and varied design. Doors can be made of plastic and ordered from the same company that makes windows. Today their design is very diverse.

    Doors can be regular or sliding, performed in any color scheme, which will fit into the overall color of the kitchen.

    Can pick up doors for the niche of the refrigerator in the style of the outer panels of the kitchen set, repeating not only the desired color and surface texture, but also the same handles.

    Advice. Wooden or laminated facades can be purchased from specialized companies or furniture stores. At the same time, attention should be paid to the quality of the fastening fittings - it must be smoothly ground and not have cracks, notches and burrs.

    Non-standard solution

    In addition to the usual, there are many interesting ways to turn the "Khrushchev refrigerator" into a stylish object of the kitchen interior.

    One of them is to arrange a car wash. At the same time, the interior space of the niche is perfect for placing water pipes.

    Such sinks have a lot of fans - it's nice to wash dishes in front of a window, behind which trees grow, and you can see the blue sky.

    However, before reconstruction, one should think carefully and weigh the pros and cons, because from the window panes, in this case, you will have to constantly remove splashes and drips of soapy water.

    Other custom solutiondevice in the kitchen niche of a home safe. The depth of the niche will allow you to place a fairly large safe box in it, and massive brick walls– high-quality close up the external facade.

    More light!

    Another one is gaining popularity interesting option when all the brickwork from n Ishi is removed and a double-glazed window is installed in its place.

    This option is relevant for apartments whose kitchens "facing" the windows to the north and need an additional light source.

    In this case, the double-glazed window can be small, repeating the size of a niche, or have the shape of a circle (semicircle).

    beauty kitchen interior add a large double-glazed window, If kitchen window"extend" to the floor by removing the brickwork.

    Such work cannot be done with your own hands and you will have to invite professionals for repairs - master finishers and window installation specialists.

    Double glazing, as for balcony door, some housewives will find it inconvenient, because it will deprive them of the window sill area. However, the problem is easily solved by installing a single kitchen set countertops.

    In conclusion, we can say that a small kitchen in "Khrushchev" is not a sentence.

    It is enough to change the view to a more positive one, think over and rationally use every centimeter, and creative solution will definitely appear.

    We invite you to watch a video about repairing a winter refrigerator.

    In modern conditions, the concept of how a refrigerator under the window, for most people, may be incomprehensible. The fact is that this type of refrigerator is a thing of the past due to impracticality. He rescued people in the winter in the cold season, helping to save a lot of money. They were popular with engineers in the 50s, but now there is no need for this device. Most people either dismantle or wall up the refrigerator under the window, because it is used only in winter and modern refrigerators have completely replaced this device in terms of volume and practicality.

    Refrigerator design

    The refrigerator is a niche under the window, deep, with a small layer of brickwork separating the street from the room. It has technological gaps and slots, air passes through them into the device in cold weather, and in winter.

    The dimensions of the refrigerator under the window made it possible to save a lot of space in the kitchen before, and keep perishable foods in a suitable place for six months. Very convenient window sill replaces the table in the warm season. It can also be used as a shelf. In summer, the refrigerator can be used as storage for cereals, flour, and other things. This allows you to save a lot of space, both in winter and in summer.

    Advantages of the refrigerator under the window:

    1. The appearance of additional space, without compromising the premises.
    2. The ability to change the niche in the case when there is no need for a refrigerator.
    3. Saving electricity, refrigerators under the window can significantly save on electricity.
    4. A great place to store conservation and other things in the warm season.

    Refrigerator conversion options

    The refrigerator under the window has its drawbacks, which do not suit many, such as poor thermal insulation of the room, and therefore, most devices of this type have undergone various modifications.

    There are three main options:

    1. Completely or partially seal the space below the window sill, and leave a small niche for installing the battery
    2. Paste the refrigerator with insulation, especially the door, so that air does not penetrate into the room in winter, and use it for its intended purpose, in summer as a cabinet, in winter as a refrigerator.
    3. Completely remove the partition separating the room from the street, remove the window sill, and put a large window. Naturally, the thermal insulation will become even worse, and in order to compensate for this, it is necessary to make a loggia or a balcony so that there is another layer of air.

    We remove the refrigerator

    This is the best option, which is suitable for most, because it is very hot in the warm season, and cold in winter. For residents of the northern regions, this is an ideal option to ensure a good heat capacity of the room.

    It is best to seal a niche with a brick to ensure the reliability and durability of the structure. Ideally, it is better to align the niche with the main thickness of the wall. It is advisable to leave a space for air in the middle so that there is no condensation due to a sharp temperature drop. You can insulate the wall on top of the brickwork from the inside, which will make the problem area much more comfortable. There is an option for insulation outside the room, then the entire surface is sheathed with foam boards, plus plaster along with surface painting, which will completely eliminate the problem of a cold room.

    You can leave a small niche for the battery, 10-15 cm, and install a heating radiator to fully compensate for the lack of a cold wall. The window sill can be replaced, because in houses with such a refrigerator they are very large, due to the space below.

    Advice ! You can also use the window sill as a tabletop, and use the space under it for a chair and other things, it will not interfere with your legs.

    Refrigerator improvement

    It is quite possible to improve the refrigerator on your own without the help of specialists.

    The main problematic place in the refrigerator is the door, if it is well insulated, it will make the room more comfortable. It is better to take a metal-plastic door, from the same profile as the window. You should not install sliding and other doors with unreliable fixation and many gaps, which are more expensive and will let a lot of cold into the room.

    Advice ! Attention should be paid to the snug fit of the door to the refrigerator, it is possible to glue an additional insulation tape at the point of contact.

    As an internal material, you can use special sandwich panels that optimally store cold and do not let it through the structure. This will make the refrigerator a little smaller, but it will help to isolate the air in it and not spread it to the walls and into the room.

    With the simultaneous replacement of the window sill with a smaller one, and when the brick row has not yet been laid out (if any), it is possible to slightly increase the refrigerator in height, reducing the useful part of the window.

    The interior space can be sealed with plasterboard or plastered. Drywall must be puttied at the joints, and edges should be made at about 20 degrees to avoid deformation, because it can expand, and the plastered edges will take on the entire load.

    In any case, the interior space must be insulated so that the cold does not penetrate the walls, but is concentrated and remains in the refrigerator, and in summer the heat also does not reduce the comfort in the room.

    In order to avoid the destruction of the wall from condensate, it is necessary to make gaps between the drywall / sealant and the wall so that there are additional layers of air to minimize a strong temperature difference, a warm homely atmosphere and a cold street.

    You can make a light in the refrigerator so that you can see better, using simple elements for standard refrigerators, for example, a transformer and others, fixing them in a box next to the refrigerator, in a warm place with a stable temperature.

    They can withstand negative temperatures, but the moisture and frost that is inside the refrigerator can damage the device and take up additional space.

    Important ! Inside the refrigerator is the most inappropriate place for electrical equipment.

    The rear wall can also be insulated with a layer of brickwork, but one should not forget that the main source of cold in winter is the holes in the wall, which are best left uncovered. Also, when plastering, they cannot be sealed.

    When building a veranda or when insulating an existing one, we must not forget about the need for air to enter the holes. To improve efficiency, you can lead the tube through the veranda to the outside, and carefully seal everything around it so that the air goes only through the pipeline, and glue it with a heat insulator, you can’t think of a better way to maintain temperature and efficient operation of the refrigerator.

    At the last stage, shelves and drawers are attached.

    Advice ! They should be oversized and simple to save precious space.

    Glazing of unnecessary space

    This is a good way to visually expand the kitchen and makes it a great design masterpiece, a large window is a must for raising your spirits every morning if you live in an area with not so cold winters.

    This part of the wall, with a refrigerator, does not carry a special load, so you can safely remove it.

    First, you should measure everything, and make at least an approximate plan for the future window or veranda, find out the dimensions in the store, and order the future window using them.

    It is possible to leave the window sill, but be careful with it, not forgetting that both below and above are glass.

    Important ! When removing a partition above the first floor, it is important that there is a person below, or an indicator that work is underway. Ideally, you should limit the possible fall zone of building materials with a bright tape so that people see the danger and pass this area more carefully.

    After cleaning the refrigerator and part of the wall, it is important to clean the edges so that the installers do not have to break up unnecessary and interfering areas for half a day.

    After inserting the window by the workers, the gaps must be blown out with mounting foam, wait until it hardens, and cut off the excess with a knife.

    Advice ! So that the foam does not deteriorate from moisture and the sun, it should be puttied or plastered

    If you plan to make a small veranda, you should fix the channel on the floor with anchors from below, and sheathe the protruding part with iron sheets.

    The resulting step from the channels can be carefully decorated, the railing can be fixed in the wall, and fixed above the platform with stops on the floor.

    If the veranda is completely sheathed with glass, this will help to keep warm.

    Advice ! Additionally, you can make floor heating, in order to make the room much more comfortable, since through such windows there is a large loss of heat.

    But for these works in the apartment, a permit is required, because what we will do will possibly damage the entire structure, floors above and below. As well as during the demolition of load-bearing walls and other elements that can lead to the destruction of the entire building.

    Conclusion

    The refrigerator under the window is a very convenient and practical tool, which, unfortunately, many have said goodbye to. If you are lucky and you still have such a refrigerator, then it can be used to save money on electricity, and as an additional place for food storage and conservation.

    If you do not need it, then you can make a beautiful veranda that will cheer you up every morning at breakfast.

    How to make a refrigerator under the window you can additionally learn from the following video

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