ONLY the Designer version. Classic is a lot more of a PIA to get integrated, and is much deeper front to back.

I have a stainless steel 42" side by side Subzero fridge. It protrudes from the cabinetry by about 3", and there's about an inch gap, but I don't find that a problem. If you have one clad in the cabinet material, you might want a truly flush integration that the Designer version offers.

I have a subzero with paneling to match my cabinets. There are no gaps and it is flush with my counters. It has two bottom freezer drawers and I love it. It is so easy to look down into the freezer drawer to see what I need. Both freezer drawers hold a ton. If you are spending as much as a subzero costs, I wouldn't spend it on any other brand. They are the best.

If you are going for a super sleek look or really trying to conceal your fridge, then designer. Otherwise, the classic works just fine. From everything I can tell, SZ is still much better than competitors' even if it is not what it used to be so I'd stick with the brand. (Mine is 25+ years old and going strong.)

In my previous house I used a 24" SZ all freezer and a 36" SZ all fridge. Loved this setup.

Note that they are both hinged on the left, which worked best for this kitchen.

When we built our retirement home, I didn't feel we needed as much refrigeration in the kitchen, so I went with a 42" SZ french door. I would have gone with the 48" version, but it wasn't available in early 2021. I also have a 30" Samsung FD in my laundry room for the frozen and defrosted raw dog food we feed our dogs.

(toe-kick was missing in this photo)

The door seal on the columns is a lot stronger than on the french door models, just the nature of the french door design.

Very happy with the SZ fridges overall, but I really loved that first set I had!

We just did a remodel and subzero now has a 42 and 48 inch side-by-side with built-in ice and water dispenser and it’s great

"However, I can’t find the right configuration of columns for the designer style. 18in freezer seemed too small. I need at least 30in refrigerator, but a 54” appliance is too big for my space."

Please?

Where's the kitchen plan? The every single foot and inch plan and what it looks like now. The FEET and inches of the remodel?

Flat on paper, and pictures of the existing?

You will get much better advice : ) with all mentioned and I do realize you only asked on cooling.

I do not like pannelled appliances and IMO SZ is over priced and I rarely use that brand for clients. I find integrated appliances are so limiting whan something does go wrong they rarely are a size easy to replace . Id agree though if an appliance is what you wanted then I always design kitchens with those appliances already planned nit try to make appliances fit the plan .FYI I have Fridgedaire commercial columns SXS with built in kit cost 3K 18 yrs ago not one repair or service call and still going strong . If it dies tomorrow and I have to replace 6K now still 1/2 of a SZ the same configuration including the first one

MANY people do a smaller integrated freezer in the kitchen, in favor of a large ugly one with huge capacity in the garage or laundry room. You can get a 21 cu ft GE white freezer for under 1K for the half a cow type things, and still have the more daily use frozen things inside the kitchen.

I love Subzero and wish I had one in my vacation home as well as in my primary residence. My first SZ lasted 27 years and was still fine in 2014, but we wanted a new one when we renovated the kitchen. In my vacay home I've had 4 refrigerators in 30 years, the latest being a KitchenAid, which (knock wood) has lasted the longest-12 years. GE is the worst, with Whirlpool a close second.

I think I must be the only person who really hates French door refrigerators! I find them to be clumsy: the doors always hit you in the back when you're reaching into them, and there just isn't enough space on the door shelving to fit anything substantial. If space for the door swing is not an issue, get a single door, bottom freezer style. I currently have a Thermador and love it, but Sub-Zero makes them too. My humble opinion, FWIW. :-)

Actually Sabrina I agree with you on French door refrigerators. I like side by sides

You have now 2 posts to go hunt down answers. Duplicate possts are always a PITA for both you and us

Did you end up deciding? IMHO you can't beat the value proposition of a classic French door vs two Designer columns, $14K vs $20K+, especially the 48" French door which is only a few hundred more than smaller versions. I don't think the bigger gaps are a huge deal, but when I was younger, it would have bothered me. A LOT.

If you panel the Classic, what bothers me more than the panel gaps is that the drawers don't line up with your cabinet drawers, and the compressor cover adds an unsightly additional line.

No one mentioned the compressor location in this thread. The Classic series has the compressor on top, so you don't have to reach up to a 6' tall top shelf, better for kids and people under 5'8". The Designer series has compressor on the bottom, so encroaches on the bottom drawers and has shelves almost all the way to 7', so shorter folk would need a stepstool to reach the top. Now mind you, the top shelf isn't comfortable to reach for shorter folk even on the Classic Series, but for the Designer, the top 2 or 3 shelves would be tough.

I know this is an old thread, but since it keeps coming up, thought I'd post my experience. I replaced my Thermador Columns with a Sub Zero Classic and am very happy.

I went looking at the new Thermador 48" French door and really wanted to love it -- but once I opened the door and tried to open one of the only two drawers, I kinda hated it. Thermador made some really poor design and function choices (two small drawers, neither can be opened without opening both doors, and the deli thing -- a small open shelf? Is that a joke?) I bought the Subzero classic for a LOT less and have no regrets.

It does sit forward of my cabinets a bit and it does have that grille, I don't care -- that little bit gives me the space I need to be able to chill trays or baking sheets without running to the utility room freestanding fridge - back and forth with each tray. It has double the drawers of the Thermador FD and one more shelf -- that allows me to leave it on the lowest position and keep a space ready for baking sheets, trays, leftover lasagna in the pan. I baked over 900 cookies last week, including cut out cookies that had to be rolled and chilled. I love being able to keep that all in kitchen central. We looked at the designer series, but they were more money for less function. If you bake or entertain, the depth of the Classic is a big deal. If you want to hide the fact that your kitchen has a refrigerator and you don't need as much function, the designer series might be for you. I'll take function plus savings.

SubZero Classic Over/Under with roll-out freezer compartment on the bottom was the best choice for us. I love stainless steel so I didn’t want to panel our SZ with cabinetry.

The integrated designer columns were a no-go for me because I don’t want to use a stepstool to reach the top 2 shelves. Miele fridges have the same problem— way too tall.

@JAN MOYER if you happen to have the Classic Over/Under SZ would you consider posting a photo of your interior with food in it?

My 36” came with shelves so closely spaced it makes each one too short to fit anything taller than about 4-5”.

Wondering if I will need to remove a shelf to rearrange for sufficiently tall shelving storage areas. Ditto for door compartment height. I can’t even fit a 1/2 gallon carton of milk in the one taller door compartment (also not of sufficient diameter). I must be losing my mind!

Of course you can remove a shelf!

You can remove a door compartment!

There is nothing you can do about depth of any door compartment!- put the milk on a shelf!

Your refrigerator contents are personal to you and your family- matters not the fridge of another homeowner, It’s you and YOUR home and family and your food stuffs:)

hi we are currently in a similar dilemma. which did you choose and what has your experience been?

I ended up choosing the subzero 42 classic French door. I have loved it so far.

The space has been great. Very happy I chose it

I replaced a 20 year old free standing with a 36” Classic - very, very happy with it.