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How much expense is involved in recessing into the wall?

15 years ago

I've read here many times how people have used recessing to get larger items to be flush with counters or upper cabinets. I want to recess a 16-17 inch microwave into an upper cabinet (preferably 12"). This is not a unique idea, but I want to know if I can do it without adding overly much to an already overloaded budget. I've so many beautiful examples here! What did it entail cost-wise?

1. My walls are plaster and 5 1/2" thick. How many inches can I likely gain from inside the wall, 3 1/2"? 4 1/2"?

2. Since it won't fit between the studs does it have to be framed like a window? How much extra is this likely to cost?

2. Does it matter if it is a load bearing wall or not?

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Comments (5)

sue36
15 years ago
Can you tell me more about the wall? Interior or exterior? What's behind it? Any idea if it is a bearing wall? Is there any electric or plumbing that serves whatever is on the other side of the wall?
scubated
15 years ago
We are recessing the wall oven and pantry pull out cabinets into the adjoining living room because we have a narrow kitchen and can't have the cabs come into the room any more. The wall is a bearing wall. I don't know how much that costs as my constractor hasn't broken it out that way. If it is a bearing wall it is way more than if it isn't. Make sure you order a cabinet with more of a reveal than if you didn't recess it.
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Jim Peschke
Original Author
15 years ago
Sue36: It is an interior wall. I was in the attic on Sunday trying to ascertain whether or not it is a load bearing wall. I think it is not, but I'm not really sure. The other side is a living room. There's no plumbing anywhere near the wall. I'm not too worried about electrical because our kitchen will almost certainly be taken down to the studs in the remodel so any wiring can be routed around.

Scubated: I'm not sure what you mean by "a cabinet with more of a reveal than if you didn't recess it"...

I'd love to know what the best and worst case senarios are for how much space I could actually use into the wall.

Thanks for the help!
bmorepanic
15 years ago
You might be able to gain an inch simply replacing the kitchen side plaster with thin plywood in the area behind the cabinet. If somebody is good with a chisel or suchlike, you can maybe get another half inch by chewing into the studs a small amount.

You might check if the 12" is the inside dimension of your wall cabinets or the outside dimension. Good to know what the cabinet back is like, too.

So worst case is a very big mess and you get to replaster part of the living room and repaint it. If both sides have electrical outlets, add a bit.

If its a bearing wall, your contractor should quote this - a small opening with headers is probably ok, but it depends on exactly how the wall is configured. You may also get a big surprise - like all of the second story circuits are in that section of wall.

You're pretty assured of gaining 2 inches and you might be able to get three - partly depending on whether you plaster or drywall, whether you need electric in the wall and what code requires in your area. You are also pretty assured of having to redo the living room.

Costs are very dependant on your location and I wouldn't be able to even guess.

Here is a link that might be useful: Smallish micro for just this purpose.
scubated
15 years ago
Scubated: I'm not sure what you mean by "a cabinet with more of a reveal than if you didn't recess it"...

I think that means that it comes out a bit more from the wall so your contractor can have a fudge factor and also allow any hinges to open fully. I just heard that when my contractor and cabinet designer were talking so I am not completely sure that is the exact definition.

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