5 drawbacks of standard apartments that need to be fixed

Owners of standard apartments face the same issues: utilities are in poor condition, and sound insulation is completely absent. What else needs to be fixed in a panel house or Khrushchyovka, was explained by architect Ruslan Kirnichansky in his blog «Architect's Diary».

Ruslan Kirnichansky — expert, architect, interior designer, blogger

Pipes

A big issue in standard buildings is engineering systems. In old buildings, pipes have already served their time, while in new ones, developers use regular polypropylene to make construction cheaper. All of this must be replaced during renovation.

I recommend using reinforced polypropylene for both hot and cold water. These pipes are more likely to withstand hydraulic shock and do not react to high temperatures.

Electrical wiring

In the first series of residential buildings, aluminum wiring was installed, but now more reliable and high-quality material — copper — is used.

During renovation, it's best to completely replace the electrical system: there is no guarantee that the developer correctly distributed outlets into groups and voltage was distributed properly.

Coordinate with the energy company to install the main cable into the apartment, and then place an electrical panel inside the apartment and run the wiring. New cables are best hidden under ceiling gypsum board — this allows access to them when needed and makes it possible to install light fixtures in the right places.

Do not agree to builders' proposal to hide wires in the ceiling and do not let them cut into the top slab or make horizontal grooves in walls. The slab and load-bearing walls are structural elements that distribute building loads, so they must not be damaged.

Sound insulation

Another common issue is compromised sound insulation. To fix this, provide a layer of sound insulation in the screed and install noise insulation on ceilings.

If the screed has already been laid in your building, use cork for underlayment under parquet boards — it protects structures from transmitting structural noise. Avoid the idea of installing suspended ceilings — they are not only non-environmentally friendly, but also work as sound membranes.

Entrance door

According to fire safety regulations, doors must open into the apartment. However, in such cases, it is easier for intruders to enter the apartment, so apartment owners often install doors opening in another direction.

Before ordering a new door, ensure that when it is open, it does not block neighboring doors or interfere with evacuation. During emergencies every second counts, so it’s better to think about this beforehand.

Windows

Replace wooden windows with double-glazed units — they are more reliable and protect against urban noise.

Problems often occur with installation and sealing. Invite a skilled specialist to discuss the quality of windows and sealing — they can fix builders' mistakes, and replacement of double-glazed units won’t be necessary.

Illustrations: design projects by Ruslan Kirnichansky.