Side by Side Refrigerators
A side-by-side refrigerator features a vertical split design where the fresh food compartment sits on the right and the freezer stays on the left. This layout gives you easy access to both frozen items and fresh groceries at eye level, so you don't have to bend down constantly to find your favourite snacks. The narrow doors also require less swing room, making them a smart choice for kitchens with islands or tight walkways. Explore the inventory at The Brick today to find a model that fits your household needs and budget.
Side-by-Side Refrigerator Layout
A side-by-side refrigerator divides the full height of the appliance vertically, with the fresh food compartment on the right and the freezer compartment on the left, each with its own full-height door. Both sections are accessible at standing height across the full height of the unit, which makes frequently used items in both the refrigerator and freezer visible without bending. The freezer section on a standard side-by-side model is approximately 16 to 18 inches wide — narrower than the fresh food section — because the capacity split favours the refrigerator side. This width accommodates shelving for organized storage but is too narrow for wide flat items such as sheet pans, large pizza boxes, or full-width platters. You can compare other refrigerator formats in our French Door Refrigerators collection or browse the full Kitchen Appliances range.
Side-by-Side Dimensions and Sizing
Side-by-side refrigerators are available in standard-depth and counter-depth configurations across three common width categories. Standard-depth models are 30 to 31 inches deep and protrude beyond standard kitchen counter depth. Counter-depth models measure 23 to 27 inches deep and are designed to sit flush with or just behind the cabinet face at the cost of some capacity.
| Size category | Width | Height | Depth (standard) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 30–33" | 68–70" | 30–31" | 21–25 cu. ft. |
| Large | 36–39¾" | 69–71¼" | 30–31" | 25–30 cu. ft. |
| Counter-depth | 32–36" | 68–70" | 23–27" | 20–25 cu. ft. |
All dimensions are external and vary by model. Required installation clearances add to these figures: ½ inch on all sides for air circulation and 2½ inches between the wall and the hinge side of the door to allow the door to swing fully open. The delivery path — hallways, doorways, and stairwells — must also accommodate the unit's full external dimensions, as the refrigerator cannot be significantly tilted during transport.
Column Refrigerator and Freezer Pairs
A column refrigerator and freezer pair consists of two entirely separate appliances — a full-height column refrigerator and a full-height column freezer — installed side by side using a manufacturer-supplied pairing or unification kit. The kit joins the two units with connecting brackets, a filler strip between them, and shared panel trim, creating a flush, seamless appearance. This is not a single appliance: each column requires its own dedicated 115-volt electrical outlet, its own installation, and its own service if a repair is needed. Column widths vary by brand and model — common configurations include 30-inch refrigerator paired with a 30-inch freezer (60 inches total), or a 30-inch refrigerator with an 18-inch freezer (48 inches total). Column pairs are built-in appliances designed to install flush with surrounding cabinetry and require a custom enclosure.
Water and Ice Dispenser Connection
Side-by-side refrigerators are the format most commonly available with through-the-door water and ice dispensers, which deliver chilled water and ice from a port in the freezer door without opening either compartment. Connecting the dispenser requires a cold water supply line at the back of the refrigerator: a ¼-inch OD copper or braided stainless steel line, water pressure between 30 and 120 PSI, and a dedicated compression-fit or push-fit shutoff valve. Self-piercing saddle valves are not recommended and are prohibited under some local plumbing codes. The supply line should be cut approximately 6 feet longer than the distance from the shutoff valve to the refrigerator to allow the unit to be pulled out for cleaning without disconnecting the line. If no cold water line is currently present at the refrigerator location, a licensed plumber must install one before the dispenser can be activated.
Side-by-Side vs French Door: Practical Differences
The most practical differences between side-by-side and French door formats come down to freezer access and shelf width. A side-by-side provides multiple shelves across the full height of the freezer at standing eye level, making frozen items visible and organized without bending. A French door's bottom-mounted freezer drawer requires bending to access and tends to pile items rather than organizing them on shelves. However, French door models allocate more interior width to each shelf, accommodating wide flat items — sheet pans, pizza boxes, large platters — that will not fit in a side-by-side freezer's 16 to 18-inch interior. The right format depends primarily on how the freezer is used: high-frequency, organized access to frozen items favours side-by-side; wide, flexible fresh food storage with a less-used freezer favours French door.
FAQ About Side-by-Side Refrigerators
What are the standard dimensions of a side-by-side refrigerator?
Standard-depth side-by-side refrigerators are 30 to 33 inches wide, 68 to 70 inches tall, and 30 to 31 inches deep in the standard size category, with a capacity of 21 to 25 cu. ft. Large models extend to 39¾ inches wide with up to 30 cu. ft. Counter-depth models are 32 to 36 inches wide and 23 to 27 inches deep. Installation clearances add ½ inch on all sides for ventilation and 2½ inches on the hinge side for door swing. All four path dimensions — width, depth, height, and delivery doorway clearance — should be measured before purchase.
What is the difference between a side-by-side and a French door refrigerator?
A side-by-side divides the unit vertically with the refrigerator on the right and freezer on the left, both accessible at full standing height. A French door has two side-opening doors for the fresh food section above and a pull-out freezer drawer below. Side-by-side models provide multiple freezer shelves at eye level for organized frozen storage, while French door models offer wider full-width refrigerator shelves that accommodate large flat items. The side-by-side freezer section is typically 16 to 18 inches wide — too narrow for sheet pans or large platters.
What is a column refrigerator and freezer pair?
A column pair consists of two separate full-height appliances — a column refrigerator and a column freezer — installed side by side using a manufacturer pairing kit that joins them with brackets and shared trim. Each unit requires its own dedicated 115-volt electrical outlet and independent installation. Common total widths are 48 inches (30-inch refrigerator + 18-inch freezer) or 60 inches (30-inch + 30-inch). Column pairs are built-in appliances that install flush with surrounding cabinetry and require a prepared enclosure — they are not freestanding units.
Does a side-by-side refrigerator need a water line for the dispenser?
Yes. Models with a through-the-door water and ice dispenser require a ¼-inch OD cold water supply line connected to the back of the refrigerator at 30 to 120 PSI, with a dedicated compression-fit or push-fit shutoff valve. Self-piercing saddle valves are not recommended and are prohibited under some plumbing codes. If no cold water line is present at the refrigerator location, a licensed plumber must install one. The supply line should include approximately 6 feet of extra length to allow the refrigerator to be pulled out for maintenance without disconnecting the line.
Can a side-by-side refrigerator fit in a narrow kitchen?
The narrow door swing of a side-by-side is an advantage in kitchens with limited aisle width or an adjacent island — each door swings to only half the total unit width, approximately 15 to 18 inches, compared to a single-door refrigerator's full-width swing. However, the minimum unit width for side-by-side models starts at 30 inches, which is wider than standard top-freezer models that begin at 28¾ inches. Counter-depth side-by-side models reduce the protrusion beyond the counter but are wider than standard-depth models for the same capacity.
