What Sub Zero fridges are you looking to install?

In my previous house I installed paneled 36" fridge column and 24" freezer column. In the new house I installed a paneled 42" SZ French door model. Both kitchens had full overlay frameless cabinets, but the columns installation looked much better and they are designed to fit with much smaller gaps.

I am looking at a built-in 42 inch french door OR a panel ready french door. My cabinets are overlay so I was told the built in would look better since the cabinets are not inset. Do you have a photo?

Are you looking at the models with the compressor on the top or the compressor on the bottom?

The current names are "Classic" (aka built-in, with top compressor) and "Designer" (aka fully-integrated with bottom compressor).

Compressor on the top. Models are 1. Bult-in and 2. Panel ready. The standalone panels are the designer collection and not an option.

and another:

Previous kitchen remodel: 24" SZ freezer on left and 36" SZ fridge on right. Notice I did both with hinges on left, which made more sense for this kitchen.

Recent new construction: The 42" SZ French door will never look as good as the columns. Still missing toe-kick under the fridge.

I hate cleaning stainless, so I really prefer to panel all the appliances that can be paneled!!

@chispa- this is so helpful! I have on order a built in but my designer built the space wide enough for a panel ready. I LoVE the columns…what did you do to make them look so built in?

@heleneo1974, loved the columns too, but didn't want/need to spend that much on fridges in our new location. The columns just have tighter tolerances and give you a cleaner look. In that kitchen I also had a great detail oriented kitchen designer, used Wood-mode cabinets (*) and had a great GC who was a perfectionist.

(*) this was before Wood-mode had financial issues, closed down and then reopened with less product lines.

Chispa- what brand cabinets did you choose for your white kitchen? Beautiful. Do you notice any functional diff between the built- in and columns?

The difference here is between the two model lines, not that one is French doors and one is not.

Designer or fully integrated will virtually disappear into the cabinetry is any of its configurations, and Classic or built-in is always going to have a wider gap around it in the surrounding cabinets.

This has to do with the design of the doors and hinges on each model line . Please look at the website so you can compare the differences.

Actually the fully integrated SZs tend to be a little less expensive I think. And comparable models in integrated weigh less...

My primary reason for choosing paneled appliances is that I hate cleaning stainless. The disappearing part is not as important. In the new kitchen I paneled the SZ fridge, Miele DW and SZ beverage fridge.

@heleneo1974, the white cabinets are custom made by a local shop in my area of FL. There is a difference in going from a column to a french door, but we got used to it after a few weeks.

These pictures seem to show inset cabinets, as well. Full overlay cabinets would extend in-front of the cabinet frame

Great thread! After the supply issues from the pandemic, we are finally getting ready for a 42” side by side. We only prepped for a 24” depth, so will need to decide between standard with panels or stainless steel.. the salesperson at our SZ dealer wasn’t sure if any of the unfinished parts of the SZ would be visible. I, struggling trying to find a picture of of what the edge off the doors with panels look like, does anyone have this type of install they would share a picture with me? Thanks :-)

Avoid the Classic if you want paneled fridge and have only 24" of depth. You need additional depth and width for it. You want the Designer version.

To clarify, we only sized the side panels at 24”. The biggest question is what does a paneled, standard install look like from the side. Designer will not work, we could only come up with 42” for refrigerator when designing kitchen. Also have full overlay cabinets, not inset, so don’t need that sleek of a design mojo ;-)

The Classic will not work with 24" side panels for what you want, so you either do Designer columns or nothing. Or else, you end up with the ugly panels and gaskets sticking out, on display. Which loses the entire point of panel ready, so you might as well do stainless.

https://www.subzero-wolf.com/-/media/files/united-states/product-downloads/sub-zero-wolf/installation-guides/sub-zero/classic_series_ig.pdf