The house we’re designing has an open floor plan, and as a result the DW plans furniture groupings away from the walls, necessitating (I guess) electrical outlets toward the center of the floor. Since the rooms are over basement or crawl space, that’s techincally not a problem, but since she (like most ladies) will never be content to leave the furniture where she first puts it, there will probable come a time when the outlets are exposed to foot traffic.
All of the outlet cover I have seen stand proud of the surface, which would be a tripping hazard or result in their breakage (or both).
Does anyone know of a product that would allow me to install the outlets flush to the surface of the floor. I could probably whittle something out of a piece of the flooring I guess, if I have to.
Burt
Replies
All of them that I have seen have flat metal cover plates that would not be a trip hazard.
this is the first bunch from a google on -floor receptacles-
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/1275106.html
http://www.wiremold.com/www/commercial/products/index_family.asp?major_system_id=3
http://www.lewelectric.com/cfm/residential.cfm
http://www.smarthome.com/856315.html
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/497574
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Thanks...
Guess I could have done a little more research.
My suggestion would be to run the wire (hope the inspector allows this) and then set the boxes after she has time to lay out the room. What's the finished floor?A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Hardwood, although we haven't decided between engineered or solid. It won't be floating.
There are many options. The best choice for this case (though probably most expensive) may be a totally recessed outlet, where there's a flush cover that opens to reveal a "pit" where the outlet is. With these the outlet can be in use, and only the cord is exposed. With a little cleverness one can even face the cover with carpet or wood flooring.
There are a number of options that are flush until used, usually employing individual covers for each outlet that unscrew with a coin.
Yeah, most of the ones I've seen are almost flush, but not quite. I'm thinking maybe I should recess the outlet, then make a drop-in plug from the flooring. I just don't know if recessing it enough for the electical plug to fit under the flooring plug would make too deep to use easily.
Like DanH, there's flush mount boxes (not cheap) that you can mortice into the flooring. Deep outlet so the plug can go in and there's just the cord coming out.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
You buy the entire recessed box assembly. Nothing you really need to invent.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Most designs put the outlet at an angle, reducing the depth needed to accommodate the plug, and they have a reasonable sized opening. I've used them with computer cables where you have to get your whole hand into the box to remove the connector, and it wasn't a problem.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I have used two types of fully recessed outlets. The big difference were the brass covers for when they were not in use. One was hinged and was quickly knocked off by a chair leg when left open. The other screwed into place - which meant that you had to find somewhere to store it when not on use. I lost it.
When ever I had the floor boxes put in I did not put them in the center of the room. I put them in a location where an end table or sofa would be. The center of the room rarely needs an electrical appliance.
What no karaoke?
What no karaoke?
Well. I'm thinking about it...
OP said "open floor plan" and "furniture groupings", which means at least a floor or table lamp will be used somewhere away from any walls.
I try to aim my box for the largest piece of furniture to hide wires under in an open floor plan and that tends to be the sofa. A small 3 foot by 7 foot sofa will give you an nice 21 sqft target to hit.
I have measured customers furniture and made little cut outs to scale and placed them on the plans to double check outlet locations and wall space requirements prior to building.
you said "I have measured customers furniture and made little cut outs to scale and placed them on the plans to double check outlet locations and wall space requirements prior to building."Thoughtful approach!
Exactly.
Thanks all for your help. I'll come up with something, and post when I do. As we build this house there will be a ton of these kinds of questions, and I'm looking forward to help from all of you....
Even if it isn't an open floor plan room, I like a few floor box boxes in the L/R and family near/under couch and end table locations so that lamp wires are less obvious than when they hang down the wall.I'm about to put a flush floor box under the kitchen table, where it always seem like a laptop needs to be plugged in- like an office conference room.Another often used outlet is on the kitchen island countertop. NOT FLUSH, but in a nice Hubbell "Pedestal Service" box, catalog #SC3098A.
Needs to be on a 20A small kitchen appliance circuit. Much better than having an outlet in the side of the island cabinet with appliance cords draped down to it. The outlet on the side is against code anyway, but rarely enforced.These pedestal boxes have been used commercially on countertops for years. I don't understand why they haven't made it to the residential market for the island application.
Some of you guy's are more optimistic than I am when it comes to where the dw (note small case) is going to end up putting the furnishings. I always put a few wires under the floor ti'll the smoke settles then come back and route in cast brass covers and put the boxes where they need to be. They might use cords for a few months but I bet that furniture's been moved 8 times. Jim
Burt,
Do you think the DW will be happy with the way the floor outlets look?
If the floor outlets would ONLY be used for purposes of lighting, would it not be possible to simply eliminate them and rely on overhead lights? Dimmer switches, multiple circuits, and/or indirect lighting could meet almost any lighting need.
Just a different way of looking at the issue.