It's no surprise that you want your Sub-Zero refrigerator to have a stunning appearance in your new kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of your home, and the new Sub-Zero refrigerator you are purchasing is the cornerstone of your kitchen.

Here are some of the choices you may need to make regarding the configuration of your refrigerator that will determine how it looks in your kitchen.

1. Perhaps you are buying one of the very popular standard Sub-Zero Built-Ins with a stainless steel front, such as the BI42SD. You may elect to have it installed (by Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center) in a standard 24″ deep cabinet. The refrigerator cabinet itself is 24″ deep. The doors will not be flush with the cabinet and stick out a couple of inches. Most of the time this is not a big issue, and the stainless version is by far the most common configuration of a standard built-in refrigerator. There are some more custom options with this model, however.
2. It is possible to have a flush inset installation if the refrigerator is recessed or with deeper cabinets.
3. You may also want custom wood panels that match the cabinets. In that case you can order the refrigerator without the stainless steel doors so that it will accept custom panels. You may elect to have the custom panels fit into a frame for a framed installation, or you could have them installed as custom overlay panels which would be configured without a frame. Even with custom panels, you would have the ability to have the refrigerator installed in a standard depth configuration with the wood doors sticking out a couple of inches, or in a recessed installation for a flush fit. So you can see that as you start to combine these options the possibilities multiply. But we're not done yet.
4. SubZero makes column refrigerators and wine cabinets that can be installed as integrated units so that they are not only flush inset, but that they are totally integrated with the surrounding cabinets revealing no hinges and disappearing into the surrounding decor.

Sub Zero overlay panels and Sub Zero flush overlay panels with flush inset installation

To learn more about the many options that are available to you from Sub-Zero contact the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. They have two showrooms to serve you including a new showroom in Calabasas with a Sub Zero and Wolf Living Kitchen. Read more about this on our blog below:

The Living Kitchen at Calabasas

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Showrooms

Shop Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

We recommend having a professional install your appliances. However, if you are handy and insist on installing your appliances yourself, here are a few tips:

1.  Read the installation instructions that come with your appliances before you begin.
2.  Confirm that you have the right size circuit breakers available for electric appliances and the proper size gas lines for gas appliances. Make sure that your appliance is rated appropriately for the service that you do have. Convert as necessary from Natural to LP gas. (It is recommended that a professional do this.)
3.  Assemble all the tools that you will need for installation.
4.  Purchase all the needed parts, wires, connections, filters, etc. that you are going to need in advance.
5. Do not throw away any packing material until the installation is complete. (If you need to return this product, you’ll need them.) Also, if something is missing, it might just be that it is hidden in the packing materials.
6.  Make sure that you have drop cloths, mats, etc. to protect your floors and countertops.
7.  Turn off electric circuit breakers, gas connections, and water lines as needed before you begin.
8.  Read the installation instructions a second time.

It is almost certain that you will encounter some obstacle in a do-it-yourself installation. When in doubt double check the installation instructions. or check on the manufacturers website. Sometimes a brief search on the internet will also be helpful if you get stumped. Before you begin, guess as to how much time you think you will need to complete the installation and double it.

Finally, if you purchased your apppliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC), give them a call at 800 387-2011. They have 4 trained installation crews that keep busy installing appliances.