Cabinetry Explained: Framed, Inset, and Frameless

Cabinetry: Explained

10/3/2018

Cabinetry can come in all shapes, sizes, patterns and styles. Breaking cabinetry down into certain aspects like box construction and door style can help you make the right decision on your investment. Understanding the different kinds, along with their respective pros and cons, can help make it easier to figure out what you are interested in, and what suits your family and lifestyle.

Box Construction
Framed Full Overlay, Framed Inset, and Frameless

Framed Full Overlay Construction
Framed Full Overlay Cabinetry is the most common cabinet type, and is considered to be a more traditional cabinet style. A framed construction consists of sides, back, top, bottom, and a faceframe. This is considered a true framed construction. The most common specifications is 1/2" sides, 1/4" back with hanging rails, and 3/4" faceframe. Framed cabinets are typically considered easier to work with from an installation viewpoint than frameless.

Framed Inset Construction
Inset Cabinetry is very similar to a framed cabinet, however the doors and drawers actually fit inside the face frame as shown below. Inset offers what many consider a classier and somewhat more traditional look. Inset cabinets have a very smooth, clean, and more custom feel as everything sits flush. Usually you will pay a premium for inset cabinetry when compared to full overlay or frameless cabinets.

Frameless Construction
Frameless Full Overlay Cabinetry is another style of cabinetry that is essentially the same as framed, just without the face frame on the front of the cabinet. Frameless construction is seen as a more modern/contemporary way to construct cabinets. Removing the face frame gives many benefits including larger drawers, full accessibility, and tighter reveals. This is an ideal type of construction for thermofoil and acryllic door styles due to the less space between doors and drawers.