Faceframe Vs. Frameless Cabinetry

Kitchen and bath cabinet construction has taken on several forms over the years. This article will help to identify existing or choose new cabinet construction

In the last 75 years, the way we build cabinets has become more standardized. Before this cabinets were usually built in place, on-site by a finish carpenter. These "built-in" cabinets could be as unique as the builder that made them.

Generally though, cabinets were shelves with a 3/4" thick frame on the face. This frame provided a place to mount doors and support for drawer boxes.

Today, manufacturers and woodworkers make cabinetry in factories or woodworking shops. And, while modern cabinets can be unique, they are modular in their construction. This helps with transport and installation.

Modern cabinet manufacturing falls into one of three categories: stock, semi-custom, and custom. Cabinet construction is either face-frame or frameless. Standardization of cabinet sizes and functional hardware have affected all cabinetry.

Face-frame cabinets have a 3/4" thick hardwood frame attached to the face of a plywood box. This frame is 1-1/2" wide and creates the opening for the cabinet. Doors and drawer fronts either lay against (overlay) or inside (inset) this frame. The doors attach with surface mounted or concealed hinges.

When installed next to each other, these frames create a total of 3" between openings. Doors and drawer fronts that overlay these openings are usually 1/2" or 1-1/4" larger all the way around. This leaves a gap of 2" or 1/2" between adjacent doors or drawer fronts.

After World War II, the European rebuilding effort brought change to cabinetmaking. Along with making cabinets more modular, designers had a goal of simpler construction.

The result was a cabinet that does not have a face frame. These Frameless cabinets are also referred to as Euro-Style or Full-Access. They have a 5/8" or 3/4" panel construction that is critical to the rigidity and squareness of the cabinet. The material used is generally plywood or melamine. Melamine is an industrial particleboard with a fused paper/resin coating. It is flat and stable and has a durable, easy-to-clean surface.

The front edges of frameless cabinets have an edge banding applied. This edge banding is available in PVC, real wood, or even metal. Many colors, patterns, and textures are also available.

The size of doors and drawer fronts is 1/16" or 1/8" less than the cabinet box. This creates a gap of 1/8" or 1/4" between adjacent doors and drawer fronts. Doors hang over the opening with concealed clip-on hinges.

As you may imagine, frameless cabinets are the standard in Europe. While gaining popularity in North America, Face-Frame cabinets are still the most used. Commercial cabinetry is almost always frameless construction.

Kitchen and bath cabinet styles include traditional, shaker (simple), contemporary, and rustic. Doors, drawer fronts, end panels, and moldings determine the style of a cabinet. So, neither construction method has a corner on a certain style. That said, face-frame cabinets may be better suited for a traditional style. For a contemporary style, frameless enables sleeker sight lines.

Whether you have (or plan to add) face-frame or frameless cabinets, you'll be able to achieve a great look. Be careful to identify and use hardware or moldings that are best suited for your cabinets.

Doors, drawer fronts, and drawer boxes are the same regardless of construction type. The only difference will be measuring for each type.

FRAMELESS

FACEFRAME