Design and Cabinetry Information
Box Construction
There are, generally, 2 types of cabinetry box construction: frameless and framed cabinetry
Frameless Cabinetry:
A contemporary European design where no box is seen. The door or drawer front sits over the box [usually ¾” or 5/8”] and is flush with the frame of the box. There is approximately 1/8 of an inch of space between the doors and drawer fronts, both horizontally and vertically. This maximizes the interior storage space of each cabinet, the overall cabinetry layout and the finished design. Frameless cabinetry is easier to customize than face framed cabinetry.
Note: Frameless box construction does not mean less quality and/or that they are less economical.
These can be seen at some of the Home Centers, in the showrooms of cabinetry dealers and/or manufacturers.
There are 3 types of Face Framed cabinetry box construction:
- Face Frame or Framed: The door and drawer fronts sit outside the frame [usually 1 ½” to 1 ¾” wide frame] of the box. Box construction and sturdiness can vary based upon the manufacturer. ¼” Plywood or similar type materials may be used for the backs of the cabinetry and/or the bottom of the drawers.
These are usually manufactured with a “Standard Overlay” or “Partial Overlay” doors and drawer fronts. This means: The door and drawer front sits on and covers over part of the framed opening, [usually about ½” to ¾” of the frame]. Thus, there is approximately 1 ¼” of the wood frame revealed between the doors/drawer fronts, both horizontally and vertically. Next to another cabinet with doors/drawer fronts, approximately 1 ¼” of the frame revealed now becomes almost 2 ½”. This is the most economical, in terms of cabinetry costs. are typically seen in Home Centers and in showrooms of cabinetry dealers. With framed cabinetry there is less useable interior space. - Full Overlay on Face Framed Cabinetry: Similar to above, but the doors and drawers cover most of the face frame, with approximately ¾” of the frame revealed, both horizontally and vertically, thus the term “full overlay door style.” Box construction may be the same as above, depending upon the manufacturer. With a “fully overlaid” door, there can be ¾” to approximately 1 ¼” of frame revealed [between cabinetry doors and drawer fronts]. Again, this will depend upon the manufacture or cabinet shop. This is more expensive than the “Stocked” face framed described above. These can be modified, depending upon the manufacturer. Again, there is less utilization of space planning and is limited in terms of dimensional design. They are typically seen in Home Centers, in showroom rooms of cabinetry dealers, and/or cabinet manufacturers.
- Full Inset: This term means that the cabinetry box construction is framed, but the door and drawer fronts set “inside” of the frame itself. Box construction is almost always made with 5/8” or ¾” materials. With the inset door, the frame is not covered by any portion of the door and/or drawer front; the door/drawer fronts are set inside of the frame, both horizontally and vertically. Utilization of space is limited because of this and the framed manufacturing. Finished design achieves the “custom furniture” look. They are almost exclusively seen in cabinet shops that have the ability to do custom work. Some cabinetry dealers may carry a manufacturer who can make the Inset door style cabinetry with different woods and finishes. These are the most expensive and are truly “Custom.” Some smaller cabinetry shops may offer wider options than a larger company.