Improving Your Kitchen: Building Codes vs. Best Design Practices

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, chances are you’ve heard about building codes and best design practices. Today, we’re here to break them down so you can better understand what building codes and best design practices are, and how they can affect your kitchen project.

The Basics of Building Codes

There are generally two types of building codes: national and local. National building codes are general in nature and function more like recommendations. Local building codes are more specific, catering to concerns that may be particular to an area. They are often part of the law in respective states or cities. This means you could be fined for not following local building codes, while this is unlikely with national codes.

To get a building permit, one of the requirements is to agree to an inspection by a local authority once all work on your kitchen is complete. Should you not agree to this term, you will not be granted the building permit.

What You Need to Know About Best Design Practices

Unlike local building codes, best design practices do not have the weight of the law behind them. Rather, they are a set of widely accepted practices developed by kitchen professionals over time. The foremost authority on the subject is the National Kitchen and Bath Association. And while building codes are more rooted in concepts promoting safety, best design practices are more grounded in common sense, created to make sure your kitchen functions as it should.

Building Codes vs. Best Design Ideas

Take the kitchen work triangle, for example. Every good kitchen designer knows this is the foundation of an efficient cooking space, but since it is not a requisite in building codes, the work triangle is not a requirement. Sure, your kitchen may end up having problematic flow without a properly laid-out work triangle, but it’s not something you can be fined for.

To make sure your traditional kitchen remodel adheres to both building codes and best design practices, entrust the job to the home improvement experts at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Wilmington. To learn more about what we can do for you, simply give us a call at (910) 212-5889.

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