POLL: Built-in or free-standing refrigerators?
Emily H
5 years ago
Built-in refrigerators are the way to go!
Free-standing fridges all the way!
Featured Answer
Comments (337)
Jon
5 years agojigglypouf
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Free standing fridge to counter depth.....
Comments (3)We are in the process of a kitchen remodel right now. Not being a fan of any built-in refrigerators and also wanting more storage space than a counter-depth frig, we went a different route. We chose a very large, free-standing, standard-depth frig. This frig will be set back into a cavity in the wall to appear to be counter depth. We are doing a lot of construction, so this solution worked well for us. It may not for you, but wanted to voice it "just in case."...See Morebuilt in vs free standing
Comments (8)jbril375, true integrated, not built-in, frigs have no trim, grill or hinges that show when installed. If you put cabinet fronts on the door, then you really cannot tell that the frig is there at all. Most of the time, it is that 1 inch that sticks out of the cabinets versus the true flush look that pushes people to spend the difference. This costs big bucks. I am close to spending alot of money to get this look. I did many hours of research trying to get the frig to be flush without spending the bucks and the hinges cannot be recessed without leaving a big gap between the frig and the adjacent cabinets. I am kicking myself if I really want to do this or not. hidroman, our choices of integrated good looking refrigerator in America is much less than yours in Europe. In my research, integrated frig without top grill/panel led me to Subzero 700, Liebherr, and Siemens/Bosch/Thermador line and Miele. No more. They are all quite expensive! There is a new Jenair line but that still has grill at the top that requires a few inches of opening without a cover. no go for me. All others have grill up top that cannot be disguised or have either trim around doors, stick out 1/2 to 1 inch or so to from the surrouding cabinets. They look like built-in frigs, not integrated cabinetry. I think this is because modern design is much more main stream in Europe and consumers have demanded clean look for many years. For example, American ovens and DW stick out 1/2 inch to 1 inch from the cabinets when installed where as European built in ovens are flush with cabinets. You can do a little trick here or there to make the appliances flush but the initial design elements is not the flush look from the appliance manufacturers. I think the built in frigs are a thing of the past with the popularity of cabinet depth frigs. I think most of the companies will move to integrated look in the next few years. (I may be completely wrong...)...See Morebuilt in refrigerators - are they worth it
Comments (8)no one can/should say you NEED at $8k refridg. However, i know a number of people who have SZ's from the 80's that look and work wonderfully today. As someone about to redo my kitchen who can't wait to get rid of my 8 yr old, noisy, often in need of repair at my expense, terribly irregular temperature control, Amana fridge I bought for $1600 and paid another $1000 in repairs I am taking the leap to Sub Zero land with excitement. That said, I'm sure I'd do just fine with something of lesser price/quality but I plan to live in my home a long time and feel this makes it WORTH IT to me....See MoreViking free standing fridge
Comments (7)The side panel depth of my setup is 24". There is no extra "play" room for plug, cord, water line etc at 24" which is why you KD wants you to have an inch of play, and I'd agree if it is at all possible. Water line and electrical placement on the wall are very important. Make sure they follow mfr recommendations. I did these myself to make sure. Recess the plug and place it high enough off the floor to avoid hitting the black protruding lower 'box' of the fridge. Check the back to see if it has one like my SXS does and how high it goes to make sure. Make sure the water line has a recessed valve as well, and have it set up so the copper tube comes out at an angle as flush to the wall as possible so it coils up flat. The door opens out enough that the counter is no problem for me, but my opverhang is not very big; there looks to be more room to accommodate a bigger OH if that is what you have. Check out the box at the store or on line specs and make sure. My refr cabinet provides 1 1/2" side surface ( total39" wide with 36" opening) as you can see on my pic, so check your door swing condition at the store to visualize your setup clearance. I went through a lot to make sure it would all work right in my 24" space, and it does look almost like the builtin ones. That being said, an extra inch of depth in the space would have made it so much easier ( especially for a typical installer) but I just didnt have that inch!...See Morerenee kent
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