We chose Electrolux Icon as our alternative. These met our parameters for price, size, look and function. We wanted built-in look as well as units that would accept cabinet panels if we decided to go that route. We purchased the optional trim kit and then modified it for our needs - i.e. only used a portion of the top "vent" as I did not want to lose 9" of upper cabinet space, instead we only lost about 4". Here are some pics of what we did -- obviously still in progress, freezer still needs to be pushed back a bit, bottom grills are not on as we are not finished with the floor. We are happy so far although we have not actually loaded either with food, they are turned on and seem to be holding temps. steadily. We spent less than $5000 for both after discounts and rebates.

You are not buying sq. in when you purchase a fridge ! The pro48 has more drawers and doors than the other models. Door hinges and drawer runners cost $. Those drawers and doors are also clad in stainless steel skins, which cost $$. You don't pay sz for those when you order an integrated model. The sides on a pro48 are also finished in stainless - more $$$. The reg built ins just have sheet metal sides. There are also those beefy stainless handles - 6 of them adding $500- 1000 bucks to the price. There is also the glass integration to pay for if you select that. It weighs more, so is more costly to pack and ship to you.

The Pro 48 seems cool, and I think it has popularity from that point of view, but I think it doesn't sell that well because it's a very specific look, and very expensive. It is free-standing, I believe, which is a plus for some, but I think most SZ devotees prefer built-in/integrated/panelled. I think the organization of the unit is interesting if it fits your lifestyle. I have the Miele 30" all fridge with the 30" freezer. I love them. For me, it was a matter of not being able to put together a combination of SZ units that would fit well, look good and serve my needs well. I didn't like the BSH columns, but when their Miele second cousin came into the showrooms I knew it was the answer. I love my coolers! The drawers are particularly useful. I can put a full sized filled platter in one. For daily use, I put meats in the bottom one and produce (fruit + veg settings) in the other. The deli drawer is a dream for flat packages. I put the butter box lower down, and use the top of it as a shelf; they show it at the top because in old style fridges that was the warmest part of the fridge (heat rises), but with the cold air vent at the top that's not really true anymore and it's more useful lower down. The lighting is amazing. I miss it when I'm looking for things in other people's SZ's. I rarely move the shelves because I've found an arrangement that works just right for me, but they move really easily, even with a few things on them. Negatives: The latches for the drawers are a little too plasticky and can be off when you put the drawers back. After you fix the seating, they tend to squeak for awhile. If you're into big bottles and jugs, you'll have to devote shelf space to them. I don't do jugs, so I really didn't want door shelf space for them. I do use a door shelf for half gallon refillable water bottles, in the rectangular shape of old fashioned milk bottles. Those fit fine. :) Freezer: The icemaker makes pillbug shaped ice. I like it better than long crescents. In the 30" the drawers have plastic dividers. I find them more useful than not, but they're occasionally annoying. I could fit more without them, but they make organization easier. Same issue with the squeaking if you get the drawer off kilter. The supercool is super.

What is under it, in the floor below? Is it near a mid-span beam or wall? Or do the floor joists run through with no support (clear span)? I envision the fridge against some wall even if it is in the middle of the house, so perhaps something is holding up the partition. What to add? A question better asked of a structural engineer (site visit) than over the interwebs. The answer will probably not be a lone column. It may entail a girder under several floor joists and a pair of columns, footers, etc. if all is lacking. Casey