What Are The Different Cabinet Construction Styles?
And, What Is The Difference Between Framed And Frameless Cabinets?

You have probably asked yourself “What should I know about the difference between Framed and Frameless cabinet construction?” Simply put, there are two main categories of cabinet construction; face frame (aka framed) and frameless. Choosing between face frame cabinets and frameless cabinets is largely dependent on how you want your cabinets to look and function.

Face frame cabinets are built with a frame that attaches to the front of the cabinet where the cabinet doors will rest. The face frame gives the cabinet box extra strength. Framed cabinets are adaptable to all door overlay types: partial overlay, full overlay or inset. They are usually found in traditional designs.

Frameless cabinets do not have a face frame so that when you look at the face of a frameless cabinet, you will simply see the edges of the cabinet box. Frameless cabinets are also referred to as full access cabinets and offer increased space for storage. Frameless cabinets lend themselves well to contemporary and modern designs.

Face Frame

Face Frame cabinets offer the widest range of style choices to match any design or decor. Adaptable to all three door overlay types (full overlay, partial overlay or inset), the face frame lends strength and stability to the cabinet box. Because the hinges are solidly anchored to hardwood face frames, these cabinets are very sturdy, and it is relatively easy to adjust the doors if they fall out of alignment.

Full Overlay

An overlay refers to how the cabinet door or drawer sits on, or in, the cabinet frame. There are three types: full overlay, partial or standard overlay, and inset. Face frame cabinets can accommodate all three types of overlays while frameless cabinet construction requires full overlay doors and drawers. With full overlay, the doors and drawer fronts cover the frame completely. This creates a continuous look and minimizes the visible gaps between each cabinet door. The resulting smooth profile enhances a transitional or contemporary style.

Flush Inset

Flush Inset style cabinetry is our furniture grade line of cabinets, considered to be the top of the line. With the inset cabinetry style, the door and drawer fronts sit inside of the cabinet face frame openings, flush with the face frame. Flush inset cabinet doors are a great option for homeowners who want clean lines as well as traditional styling. Beaded inset cabinets have an additional decorative detail on the face frame immediately surrounding the door or drawer. This detail is known as a bead, or a slight groove and rounded edge cut into the wood. Add bun feet, furniture bottom rails or columns to achieve the elegance you desire.

Frameless

Frameless cabinet construction is a style originally known mostly in Europe. They are also known as Euro-style, contemporary, or modern cabinets. Although a style that had been present in Europe for many decades, it was commonly popularized by IKEA. Frameless cabinets provide more interior storage space because there is no face frame around the cabinet openings. Full overlay doors and drawers provide a sleek look that works well with multiple style preferences. The cabinet boxes are made with sturdier, thicker materials to offset the need for a face frame support.

Manufacturing Methods

Regardless of the style you choose, you can rest assure that you will get the same superior quality of construction that we provide time after time. Let us build your cabinets with our precision cut parts straight off our CNC Machine. All our cabinets boast the TenonCam® Mortice and Tenon Construction Method which surpasses the traditional butt and dado methods. All of our construction methods are well within the Architectural Woodwork Institute guidelines.