# Kitchens in the north of Tenerife > Made-to-measure kitchens in north Tenerife: materials and treated wood for the humidity, good ventilation and renovations in traditional Canarian houses. In the north of Tenerife, humidity is what shapes a kitchen most. We design, build and fit kitchens there with boards, edging and hardware that can cope with it and with ventilation worked out at the design stage, which is what keeps the units sound over the years. - **Boards and edging for humidity.** Moisture-resistant carcasses in the wet areas and well-sealed edges so the board does not absorb moisture or swell. - **Treated wood.** If you want wood, we choose it with a suitable protective finish and explain how to look after it. - **Ventilation planned from the design.** A cooker hood with a suitable outlet, units set away from cold walls and ventilated gaps to prevent condensation and mould. - **Traditional Canarian houses.** We adapt the kitchen to uneven walls, timber ceilings and old window openings without forcing the house. Kitchens in north Tenerife have to live with a damper climate than in the south. In La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, Icod and Tacoronte, low cloud, rain and walls that are slow to dry are common, and many homes are traditional Canarian houses with thick walls and timber ceilings. That determines which materials to use and how to approach ventilation. ## Materials that cope with humidity The key is that no board is left exposed to water or steam without protection. In the units under the sink, beside the dishwasher and under the hob, we use moisture-resistant boards with edges sealed on every side, because water almost always gets in through a badly finished edge or an unprotected drill hole. The hardware matters too. Quality hinges and drawer runners resist rust better in damp conditions and keep their adjustment. For the worktop, quartz, granite and porcelain do not absorb water; you can compare them on our [worktops](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/worktops/) page. ## Treated wood for a damp environment Wood suits the character of many houses in the north, but it needs the right treatment to withstand the humidity. A protective varnish or oil, properly applied to every face of the piece, including the hidden ones, stops the wood from warping or staining. It is also worth choosing carefully where the wood goes. On doors, open shelves and wall units it works very well; around the sink it is usually combined with laminates or stone worktops that cope with water without maintenance. If this style appeals to you, look at the key points of [rustic kitchens](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/rustic-kitchens/). ## Ventilation and condensation A well-ventilated kitchen is the best protection against mould and bad smells. The cooker hood should vent outside wherever possible and have enough power for the size of the kitchen; in an old house, the route of the extraction outlet is worked out before the design is finalised. The [guide to cooker hoods](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/guides/cooker-hoods/) explains how to choose one. In addition, units fixed against cold external walls can collect condensation behind them. Leaving a small air gap, not covering existing vents and keeping wall units from sitting tight against an unventilated ceiling avoids a good part of the problems in winter. ## Renovations in traditional Canarian houses In a casa terrera (a traditional single-storey Canarian house) or an old house on several floors, the kitchen has to adapt to the house. The walls are rarely square, the ceilings may have exposed timber and the window openings have their own sizes, so we measure in detail and deal with anything out of square using made-to-measure fillers and trims. Before fitting, the condition of the walls has to be checked: if there is rising damp or water ingress, it is treated first, because no unit will last on a wall that never dries. When the kitchen moves to a new position or the services need renewing, the job becomes a full [kitchen renovation](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/kitchen-renovation/), and if the property is listed it is worth looking at the [kitchen renovation permit](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/guides/kitchen-renovation-permit-tenerife/) before you start. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do lacquered units stand up to the humidity in the north? Yes, if the base board is moisture-resistant and the lacquer covers every face and edge. The problem arises when a knock breaks the lacquer near the sink or dishwasher: moisture gets in there and the board swells, so it is worth touching up any chips as soon as they appear. ### Can I keep the kitchen where it is when renovating a casa terrera? It is often the most practical option, because the water points and waste are already there. If you want to move it to another room, we assess the route of the waste pipe and the extraction outlet, which are the trickiest points in old houses. ### Can the kitchen be fitted in winter, while the house is damp? It can, as long as the walls are dry. If there has been building work, new plaster and mortar give off moisture for weeks, and hanging units on a wall that has not dried yet encourages mould behind them. It is best to ventilate and check the moisture in the wall before fitting. --- Web version: https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/kitchens-north-tenerife/ Cocina en Tenerife: design, manufacture and installation of made-to-measure kitchens in Tenerife. Quote: https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/contact/