When designing your kitchen, one unit people tend to forget about is the top box. A top box can be an interesting alternative to the more traditional wall units that already adorn our kitchens. If you are still in the planning stage then read on for some kitchen inspiration!
What size top boxes are available?
We have 3 different height top boxes (shown above) that are available in various widths, as detailed below.
- 290mm high top box unit is available in widths of 500mm, 600mm, 800mm 900mm & 1000mm
- 360mm high top box unit is available in widths of 300mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm, 900mm & 1000mm
- 455mm high top box unit is available in widths of 600mm only
All our top boxes are 300mm deep, the same as a standard wall unit.
Which top box do I use above an American fridge freezer?
Well, the top box size really just depends on the height of the fridge. Here is one example from a previously asked question.
Question
I’m buying an American fridge/freezer which is 1795mm high by 910mm wide. Can you tell me what size top box that I would need? The American fridge/freezer will be standing next to a 300mm pull out larder unit, which is 2120mm high (1970mm + 150mm legs).
Answer
The top box would be a (TB1029) 1000mm wide by 290mm high. You can use pelmet or panel off cuts to fill the space down the sides of the appliance and above if required. See the image below to better depict this.
You can find more information on boxing in an American fridge/freezer here.
Here is the math to show why you would be using a 290mm top box.
2120mm (unit height) – 1795mm (fridge height) leaves 325mm.
The only size top box available that we offer that will fit is the 290mm high one. 325mm – 290mm leaves 35mm. As mentioned above, the 35mm gap can be filled in, to box the fridge/freezer in or you can choose a fridge which is slightly taller.
The maximum height fridge you could fit into that gap would be around 1830mm and 1820mm tends to be the tallest height for American fridge freezers.
If you were using the 2300mm tall units then 2300mm – 1795mm (fridge/freezer) = 505mm. The 455mm high top box is not available 1000mm wide, so the top box you would need to use would be 360mm in height. This would leave you with a gap above the fridge freezer of 2300mm – 1795mm – 360mm = 145mm to fill in or leave.
Fitting a top box
Top boxes are supplied with the same brackets as a standard wall unit and can hold 70kg and are fitted in the same way. See the technical guide for more details.
Using end panels with a top box video
This short 30 second video shows how to use end panels with a top box and how to ensure units below it, line up too.
Where else can a top box be used?
If you are after a seamless run of wall units and you still plan on having an extractor above your hob then you can buy a canopy hood that fits on the underside of the top box. The pictures below show how this could look in your home.
If you want to make your kitchen look a little different then why not use top boxes as wall units to create something that is totally unique. Take a look at what some of our customers have done below. You can also use horizontal bi-folding wall units with 360mm high top boxes to create a nice feature, also shown below.
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