I don’t know about you, but a dishwasher is something I couldn’t live without. The main reason is that I just don’t like handling dirty, greasy dishes. I also like the convenience of being able to put dirty dishes right into my dishwasher, out of sight, so the kitchen looks tidy immediately after finishing a meal.
I have renovated several times over the years, but never really thought about the various styles of dishwashers. I just bought what looked good and fit my budget. Recently, when I moved into an old house that needed a renovation, I realized that there are two main types of dishwashers, semi-integrated and fully integrated. Both work basically the same way, with the main difference between them being in the design detail. Aesthetics aside, there are a few other things to consider when deciding between the two.
Fully integrated dishwashers
Just as its name suggests, a fully integrated dishwasher blends in seamlessly with the kitchen cabinets that surround it. The front of the dishwasher can be left exposed or hidden behind a door to match the rest of the kitchen cabinets. The control panel, along with the opening, is usually at the top of the door, out of sight. For ease of use and to make it easier to open and close the door, a handle can be attached to the front of the dishwasher or cabinet in which it is housed. Regardless of whether you choose to expose the front of the dishwasher or cover it, with its clean and elegant lines, a fully integrated model will enhance the appearance of any kitchen. In my opinion, it looks especially at home in a modern kitchen when using a colored or stainless steel fascia.
Semi-integrated dishwashers
The control panel for a semi-integrated dishwasher is located on the top front of the dishwasher. Because of this, this type of dishwasher can be partially, but not completely, hidden behind a cabinet door. Hiding it completely would mean that the control panel and the opening/closing mechanism would not be accessible. Some semi-built-in washers come with decorative panels that can be changed to give the kitchen a different look or customized to match existing cabinetry. Price and ease of access to the control panel are things to consider when deciding which type of dishwasher will be right for you.
Which dishwasher is right for you?
Families with small children may prefer a fully integrated dishwasher, as the controls will be out of reach of children.
Those who like to know what part of the wash cycle the machine has reached may prefer a semi-integrated dishwasher as this information can be easily seen without the need to open the dishwasher door.
When it comes to cost, I’ve found that fully integrated models generally cost more than their semi-integrated counterparts. However, this varies by make and model, meaning a more standard fully integrated washer may be cheaper than a semi-integrated washer that has all the bells and whistles.