The refrigerator built into the cabinet: Installation instructions

The refrigerator built into the kitchen set is not just an ordinary designer whim, and the ability to save space is not a small kitchen. At the same time, the interior acquires a harmonious completed look. But any refrigerator can be built -in, and what requirements are made to cabinets for such a technique? In this article, we will talk in detail about how to integrate the refrigerator in the kitchen.

General characteristics of technology

The refrigerator, built into the cabinet, will save a lot of free space, especially when it comes to small rooms. So, for a tiny Khrushchev, this will be the optimal solution, and if the honor is that the cost of built -in equipment is not much higher than usual, then there is usually no problems with buying problems.

In most cases, they are not as deep as their stationary counterparts, but have a large capacity - from 90 to 170 liters. For a large family of 4-6 people, a two-chamber built-in refrigerator is suitable, and a small unit is also enough for a couple or bachelor. There are also models with a freezer and without it. The freezer easily fit into the space under the countertop of the kitchen set, while it is convenient to use it, noise or vibration does not come from it.

Before talking about the installation method, you should figure out how the built -in refrigerator differs from the usual and are these differences so striking:

1. The planned refrigerator scheme is such that it cannot stand stationary, i.e. Without a cabinet. The cabinet is made in accordance with the scheme and dimensions of the equipment specified in the passport.
2. Unlike a conventional refrigerator, which stands on the floor, the built -in technique is based on the bottom of the cabinet.
3. The heat -insulating characteristics of the built -in refrigerator are much higher than that of the stationary.
4. Built -in refrigerators are fireproof and equipped with a powerful ventilation system.
5. To fix the facades (sash), special fasteners are used, which are attached directly to the sash of the refrigerator. That is, the sash is simultaneously a refrigerator door and a cabinet facade. It will not be possible to organize this with an ordinary refrigerator (in any case, it will not look very beautiful).

Based on this specifics of installation and use, we can conclude that the built -in refrigerators are more functional and have a number of undeniable advantages:

1. They are very roomy, but at the same time save a place in the kitchen. Two -chamber models can completely accommodate much more products than similar models of stationary refrigerators.
2. The presence of a zero chamber is an innovation that is found in almost all built -in refrigerators. The zero chamber constantly supports a special microclimate with constant temperature and humidity. The products there are stored longer than usual and retain the maximum of useful properties. You can put meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, greens, fruits there.
3. Due to stronger thermal insulation, built-in refrigerators are better than holding cold, so they consume less electricity. As a result, you save not only free space, but also money for payment of bills.
4. Due to the presence of decorative panels on the walls of built -in refrigerators, a kind of buffer zone in the closet arises, which absorbs noise and vibration. The technique works almost silently, which cannot be said about stationary refrigerators.

Choosing a place

Choosing a place for installation should be based on the specifics of the selected model of technology. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the built -in refrigerator plus the size of the cabinet for it. Remember that the main task is to save free space in the kitchen, so start from the fact that the future refrigerator should not interfere with free movement around the room.

Pay attention not only to the appearance of the refrigerator, but also to the design of the cabinet for it, because it will become an integral part of your kitchen set. Therefore, select the color and texture in tone for the rest of the furniture.

As well as stationary equipment, built -in refrigerators are not recommended to be placed in the immediate vicinity of heating devices and open fire.

Installation of a refrigerator with your own hands

They must warn that experts do not advise collecting a cabinet for the refrigerator on their own, since its correct arrangement requires a mass of calculations, certain skills and a complete understanding of the work of refrigeration equipment.

If you want to turn an ordinary refrigerator into built -in, then you will inevitably encounter a mass of difficulties that will ultimately lead either to a breakdown of technology, or to a life -threatening situation.

Problems that will inevitably arise when installing an ordinary refrigerator in a kitchen set:

1. Since such a refrigerator stands on the floor, the bottom of the cabinet cannot be. Therefore, the “box” will be flipped and unreliable.
2. Conventional refrigerators are much deeper than built -in, plus everything will need to be left a little free space from behind. As a result, you will get a very deep closet that will go beyond the countertop. Naturally, in such a situation, there can be no talk of any space.
3. This item follows from the previous one - the bulk of ordinary refrigerators compared to built -in. The width of the built -in refrigerator is much smaller, and the stationary will be so wide that for the cabinet you need to make as many as 2, or even 4 doors.
4. Ventilation abilities are also extremely important. In ordinary refrigerators, ventilation is practically not provided, since they should be in the open air. Put such equipment into the cabinet, and the fire hazardous situation will arise almost instantly - the refrigerator will overheat, the temperature between it and the wooden walls of the “box” will increase, and the fire will become a matter of time. The only logical solution would be to build a structure without a back wall to provide at least some kind of ventilation. But remember that our “Woe-Shkaf” no longer does not have a bottom, 2-4 heavy wings, a big depth, and if you also deprive it of the back wall, then such a structure will not spin for a long time.

In general, it is clear that the idea to turn an ordinary refrigerator into a built -in obviously failure, so you should not even start. But you can still make a closet under a built-in refrigerator with your own hands. Of course, for this you should take into account a lot of subtleties, but as a result you can save well and make a design with an individual design.

Important nuances

Installation of the built -in refrigerator is associated with some technical subtleties, which must be taken into account. So, you will need to organize an individual system for a hinged door. There are models with already equipped hinged doors and those in which hinges are not used. The hinges for the built -in refrigerator should withstand the mass of each door and evenly distribute it between the hinges and the unit.

For the manufacture of the cabinet, almost any materials can be used - natural wood, drywall, chipboard, etc. The most popular and easy to process is considered chipboard. These panels are suitable for those who have not previously encountered woodworking and have no special equipment. Select the material in accordance with the design of the kitchen. He may not coincide in tone with the set, but it is profitable to emphasize other elements of the room, for example, flooring, a dining table or bright decorative accessories.

Before the work and purchasing of materials, make accurate measurements of the depth, breadth and height of the built refrigerator, given that several centimeters of free space to ensure ventilation should remain between the internal walls of the cabinet and the unit itself. Pay special attention to the doors of the structure - they must open freely.

Choosing design

If you have never worked with a tree, then it is better not to make a closet made of natural wood. To do this, you need special locksmith equipment and skills. The best option will be drywall or chipboard. To install an ordinary built -in refrigerator without a freezer, you can use inexpensive building materials and save on installation.

What will be required for the construction of a refrigerator cabinet:

• drywall, chipboard or other selected material;
• accessories (hands and canopies);
• fasteners (nails, wood screws);
• drill with a set of nozzles;
• hammer;
• hacksaw;
• roulette, facing materials.

At the last paragraph, it is worthwhile to stop in more detail. You can perform a cabinet lining with decorative mosaic tiles, plaster, paint and even ordinary wallpaper. The main thing is to take into account the features of the interior of the kitchen. When using non -standard finishes, you can create a unique design. For example, recently, the technique of decoupage and artificial aging of wood has become popular, and the decoration of stainless steel sheets will look great in the high-tech kitchen.

Built -in refrigerators with transparent doors look very unusual.

Harmonious and bright kitchen in the style of Provence.

Built -in refrigerator in the kitchen in a modern European style.

The decoration of the facade of the built -in refrigerator under the old days will perfectly fit into the interior and give it luxury.

The idea to assemble a closet under a built -in refrigerator with your own hands makes it possible to save and create an original element of the interior.

How to choose the right size

When discussing the dimensions of the built -in refrigerator, it is important to note that they can be very different, starting from narrow models of 60 cm, ending with huge refrigerated complexes with a width of more than 2 m. To calculate the size, you should be repelled not only from the square of the kitchen, but also the height of the ceiling, quantity residents and regularity of purchases. Let us explain - if you are used to buying products in large volumes every half a month or month, then for their storage you will need a lot of space. Those who visit the store every day and buy a little, a small single -chamber built -in refrigerator is suitable.

If you want to place the equipment under the countertop, its height should be about 80 cm, and the depth correspond to the depth of the kitchen set, that is, 56-57 cm. You should also consider such a thing as a “working volume”. This means the capacity of the refrigerator, which is measured in liters. For a family of 2 people, 135 liters are enough, from 3-about 160 liters, for large families-from 180 liters.

Features of the assembly of the cabinet and installation of the refrigerator

It is not so difficult to assemble a cabinet for a built -in refrigerator, the main thing is to take into account the necessary technical requirements for specifically your unit model. You can get acquainted with them in a passport attached to the refrigerator.

The specificity of the installation:

1. If the facade of the cabinet is fixed on the refrigerator door, use special loops for fastening. One end of the loop is fixed on the box, the second on the door.
   
2. In the bottom of the cabinet, it is necessary to organize a small ventilation hole. The same is recommended to be done in the back wall.
3. Provide the unhindered elimination of the network cable and connect it to the outlet (you may need to make a hole in the cabinet case).
4. Some models of massive two -chamber refrigerators require the installation of a separate fan, which will remove heated air from the cabinet housing.

This video presents an example of the installation of a built -in refrigerator:

Installation of a built -in refrigerator and building a cabinet for it is a laborious and responsible process, therefore, if you are not confident in your abilities, use the services of professional masters.