Are you dreaming of your next designer kitchen remodel? The trend toward integrated appliances may have captured your attention. If so, there are some important facts to consider.
In the United States, there are two companies that produce fully-integrated refrigerators with paneled doors to match the surrounding cabinetry. Those are SubZero and Bosch. SubZero’s 700 line and Thermador’s Freedom line (produced by Bosch), can be installed and completely integrated without any exposed trim pieces, hinges or toe kicks. Other brands, defining themselves as integrated, may stick out beyond the rest of the cabinetry and do not have the options to hide these components. A fully integrated fridge will blend in a smooth line with the surrounding cabinetry. Visitors to your kitchen may not even recognize it as a refrigerator.
As your cabinets are custom-built, a cabinet specifically designed to house your refrigerator will be incorporated into your kitchen design, and blend unnoticed, with the surrounding cupboards. Special care will need to be taken as the electrical outlets and plumbing are installed because integrated appliances must be mounted very close to the back wall of your cabinets. There is often no space behind them for pipes or wall sockets. It is also critical that as your integrated fridge is installed it is carefully leveled. Any discrepancies here and the panel that will be mounted to the refrigerator door will appear to be crooked or askew in comparison to your your other cupboard doors. The final area for special care with this refrigerator installation, is proper ventilation of the unit. This is usually achieved by creating an airpath from the toe kick area that runs up and out the top of the cabinetry and it is critical to the longevity and proper function of the unit, as well as not violating the appliance’s warranty. For the novice do-it-yourselfer, managing this installation might be advanced. Hiring a professional with experience installing integrated refrigerators might be the best course of action for this particular home-improvement project.
Paneled integrated refrigerators add a touch of elegance and style to kitchen makeovers. They allow the rich, warmth of wood cabinetry to flow flawlessly around the perimeter of the room without being broken up by large panels of steel appliance fronts. Function and beauty are married in an elegant expression of the homeowner’s personal style; and cabinetry, furnishings and appliances combine in new, unique designs for contemporary kitchens.