article

Which is Best: Freezer on the Side, Top, or Bottom?

By Blanche Evans via Realty Times

bluehammer

Most homes don't come with a refrigerator-freezer, so that may be the first item you purchase for delivery after buying your home. But where do you start?

Measure carefully and take the dimensions with you when you shop for a unit. With about a half-inch of clearance on either side, you'll know if it's worth it to you to do some remodeling. What you don't want is a unit that sticks out far beyond the cabinetry, or encroaches on the doorway. The refrigerator should look organic to the kitchen. Here are three types of refrigerator freezers to consider.

1. French door, bottom freezer. The elegant French door style opens with one or both doors at the same time, allowing for a broad view of what's available to cook and eat. The French-style refrigerator tends to work best for cooks who prefer lots of vegetables and fruit.

Overall, cubit foot storage capacity is slightly less than other models, but the convenience of the short door swings and wider shallower storage shelves make this style a favorite. French door refrigerators are also available in counter depth size, but they tend to be more expensive.

2. Side-by-side refrigerator/freezers. The side-by-sides are still popular but they tend to be deeper so it's easy to lose sight of items and forget they're there. But, they have some advantages over other models -- they're less expensive than the French door models, and they offer nearly equal freezer capacity to the refrigerator side. This can work for users who cook more frozen dinners than fresh foods.

Side-by-sides are also convenient for users who don't want to do a lot of bending over to find items. Many models will offer pull out shelves, but usually not all the shelves pull out, except in more expensive models. From a kitchen design standpoint, side-by-sides have less of a door swing radius than other models, and can easily fit in spaces that other refrigerators can't.

bluehammer

3. Freezer on top. Remember how often you used to have fill up plastic ice trays? The freezer on top style has improved with age, and a solid choice for energy and expense conscious buyers. Less expensive than other styles, these are also the most reliable, according to Consumer Search.

Features such as ice/water dispensers on the door are not usually found on freezer on top units, which is one reason they rate so high in reliability. Believe it or not, water and ice dispensers are the number one reason for refrigerator repairs. Also, there will likely be more bending to see into the refrigerator compartments.

If you're trying to fit a small space in an older home, small home or apartment, the freezer-top style also offers the most versatility in size ranges. It's a good choice for cooks who don't store much frozen food and enjoy stocking up on cold drinks.

Visit your local appliance dealer and practice opening the doors of display refrigerators. Bend down and pretend to take foods out of the bottom drawers. You'll quickly learn which configuration is right for you and your budget.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Understanding Hard Water (and How to Solve It)

Do you have hard water? If you notice spots and films on glasses that come straight from the dishwasher, or you can't seem to work up a good lather when washing your hands, it's a good bet that you do.

Lawn Care For The Fall: Essential Tips to Follow

All summer you've been watering, cutting, trimming and feeding your yard in the hopes of having the greenest plot of land in the neighborhood. So what should you do to get your lawn in shape for the cool breezes of autumn? These six steps will help you get a head start on the colder weather.

Clever Ways To Give Your Small Bathroom Some Pop And Make It Look Larger

Small bathroom? It doesn't have to be short on style. And it doesn't have to feel like a cave either. Many of the same tips for creating a standout space will also help to make it feel bigger.

Simple DIY Projects That Will Increase the Value of Your Home

Looking to boost the value of your home without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars? You can! Making changes in certain rooms, like the kitchen and bathroom, is more beneficial than in others. These simple DIY projects will help increase your home's value the most.

6 Smart Updates To Make To Your Bathroom

The idea of renovating your bathroom can be overwhelming, but you don't have to knock down walls or gut the whole thing to make it feel new again. Making smart updates can get you closer to the look you want without the big budget, or the big hassle.

Replacing Your Bathroom Sink and Faucet

Replacing your old sink and faucet can make a big aesthetic difference in your bathroom.

How To Cut Your Costs Building A Pool

Having a pool can be one of the most enjoyable parts of homeownership, but building it can be an expensive undertaking. "If you're planning to install a pool, be prepared to open your wallet," said US News. "PK Data reports that the average cost of a residential in-ground swimming pool was $39,084 last year."

Installing an Interior Light Fixture

Interior lighting not only helps you see better, but also adds to the decor of your home. Upgrading an interior light is a great way to spruce up an area and save on energy costs.

8 Ways to Love Your Small Space More

When we run stories on living in homes with petite proportions, you often tell us, "Small? You should see my house!" Because we aim to please, we've rounded up some of the tiniest rooms on Houzz, picking those that pack plenty of ideas and function into a small space. We think that these are indisputably compact. But, more important, do you?

10 DIY Peel-And-Stick Tiles To Quickly Take Your Backsplash From Meh To Magnificent

Adding a flashy backsplash is one of the best ways to help transform your kitchen, and, especially, to take the emphasis off of countertops that might need updating or cabinets in need of an overhaul. It could also inspire you to make those other needed changes. But the hassle of working with tile and stone and dealing with messy thinset and grout - or paying someone to do it for you - often wins out over going for it.

See More Articles