When choosing cabinets for your kitchen or bath there are two main styles to consider. The two main styles are framed and frameless. Listed below are the main differences between the two:
Framed Cabinetry
Framed cabinetry features a face frame, typically constructed of wood. The doors and drawers are attached to the frame, which adds to the stability and strength of the cabinet. With framed cabinetry, the frame provides a visible border between the physical cabinet box and the door, this is considered to be a more traditional look.
Below are a few highlights of using framed cabinetry:
- Traditional look: Framed cabinets have been a popular choice for many years.
- Sturdiness: The face frame provides extra support, making the cabinets sturdier and able to hold more weight.
- More forgiving: If a wall is out of square, framed cabinets have more adjustability and can be shimmed to ensure that the doors and drawers open smoothly.
- Limited Storage: The frame around the cabinet box can limit the amount of usable storage space slightly.
Within framed cabinets, there is another decision that will need to be made. There are three styles of overlay in framed cabinetry. The three styles are full overlay, partial overlay, and inset.
- Full overlay: A full overlay door style offers a more clean look. With this style you typically only see about ¼” of the face frame around the door.
- Partial overlay: A partial overlay door can be slightly more cost efficient, but is considered to be builder-grade. With this style you would see anywhere between 1”-1 ¼” of the face frame around the cabinet door.
- Inset: An inset style is where the doors and drawers are set flush with the face frame. Lends to a clean and sophisticated look.
Framed cabinetry is a great option and is the most widely offered cabinet. You can achieve a beautiful kitchen with this door style and the options that are available.
Frameless
The frameless construction consists of a box similar to the box of a framed cabinet but it does not include the face frame that is consistent in framed cabinetry. Instead, the doors and drawers attach directly to the sides of the cabinet box. This is where you are able to get a more modern, sleek appearance, and slightly more interior space. Most frameless cabinets are constructed of engineered wood products but some cabinetry lines still offer all plywood construction.
Here are some highlights for using frameless cabinetry
- Modern look: Framed cabinets offer a more sleek and modern appearance, making them a popular choice for contemporary designs.
- More storage space: Given that frameless cabinets don’t have a frame, they do have slightly more usable storage space.
- Accessibility: The absence of the face frame makes it easier to access your belongings.
- Less forgiving: With frameless cabinets, you have less flexibility to adjust given any imperfections like walls being out of square.
Frameless cabinetry, also known as European-Style, has become more widely popular over the past few years. This style lends to the more modern or contemporary style. Frameless is a great option for those who want a modern or contemporary kitchen or bathroom.
At the end of the day, choosing between frameless, framed, or inset cabinetry is your personal preference.
Generally speaking, if you have a more traditional home you would continue with a more traditional cabinet and the same goes for a modern home.