Built-in Appliances vs Integrated - What Is The Difference

Are you searching for a new appliance and can't decide between a built-in or an integrated appliance? We have the answers, read to find out more.

So here’s a question that may have had you scratching your head. You’ve been shopping around for new kitchen appliances and/or a fitted kitchen, and you come across appliances being variously described as ‘integrated’ or ‘built-in’ appliances.

What exactly do these terms mean? Are they one and the same? Or are there subtle but important differences between an integrated and built-in kitchen appliance that you should know about when making your choices?

First of all, there are a lot of similarities between an integrated and a built-in appliance. It is easy to understand why the two terms are often confused or even used interchangeably. Both contrast to free-standing appliances, which either sit completely separate from your units or else slot into spaces left between them.

Both integrated and built-in products have to be custom fit along with your units and work surfaces to give a more seamless, cohesive feel to your overall kitchen design. For that reason, built-in and integrated appliances tend to be viewed as more of a premium option than standalone products. However, there are differences in how they achieve their effects.

Integrated vs Built-in Appliances 

Hidden Away Appliances 

The most straightforward distinction to make between built-in and integrated white goods is the extent to which the appliance is ‘hidden’ as part of the overall kitchen design. Put simply, built-in appliances remain somewhat visible whereas fully integrated appliances are intended to be completely hidden from view.

Planning

With freestanding appliances, you have to plan your kitchen around them, which usually means not installing any units where you want your white goods to go. Built-in appliances, on the other hand, are designed to fit standard kitchen unit dimensions. So where you might otherwise have a cupboard, for example, you could instead choose to slot in a built-in refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher and so on. The appliance will sit flush to the other cabinets and the worktop above, making it look part and parcel of the whole fit-out.

Panelling

Built-in appliances may come with the option of adding panelling to match the rest of your kitchen. But the main objective is not to hide away the appliance completely - you will usually be able to see at least part of it at all times. This is the key difference with a fully integrated appliance, where a hinged door panel is added to completely cover the front of the unit. When the door is closed, you wouldn’t be able to tell what sits behind it - it could be just another cupboard.

Flexibility 

In terms of other differences, integrated appliances offer you more flexibility than built-in versions. The latter come in fixed sizes to fit standard kitchen unit dimensions, and it should be noted that this is often smaller than what you get with standalone models. But because integrated appliances require custom fitting anyway, size is less of an issue - you just need a professional cabinet fitter who is used to working with integrated appliances to make everything fit seamlessly together.

Reliable expert repairs 

No matter how well you look after your new appliances, breakdowns are inevitable and that's why Go Assist are here to offer you high quality, reliable and affordable appliance repairs. Book your appliance repair with us today, we repair all appliances built-in or integrated so book online today.