Cabinet Construction and Styles

Framed cabinets, also known as traditional framed cabinets, have a front frame around the cabinet opening to which the door is attached. These are the most popular type of cabinets in the U.S., and are easier to install than frameless cabinetry because of their recessed end panels and rigid front frame. Framed cabinets are available in traditional and full-overlay styling, which are explained under Door Styles below. Framed construction utilizes glue, staple, and dowel or screw construction.

Frameless cabinets, or European-style cabinets, have no front frame. The doors are attached directly to the sides of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets, which are more contemporary in style, offer the advantage of completely unobstructed access to the cabinet interior because there is no front frame. Frameless construction utilizes pin and dowel construction.

A soffit or “bulkhead” is the area between a ceiling and the top of wall cabinets and usually 12 inches high and extending out over the wall cabinets. Some kitchen designs benefit from a soffit, while others leave the space above the cabinet open for visual effect or display space.

Door Styles

Traditional overlay styling is the amount of front frame covered by the door and drawer. The exposed front frame is referred to as the “reveal.” The reveal on traditional overlay cabinets is typically 1 inch. The width of the front frame in Merillat cabinetry is 1-1/2 inches.

Full overlay cabinet door styles cover most of the face frame, giving prominence to the door and drawer design.

Raised panel doors have a raised center panel to a door or drawer design, conveying a traditional or more detailed styling that lends itself to many different molding and accent pieces.

Flat panel doors – or having a recessed center panel to a door or drawer design – convey Transitional, Shaker, or Arts and Crafts styling.

Inset doors recess between the stiles and rails on the frame of a traditional framed cabinet.

Mullion or glass doors have glass inserts in place of the typical solid center panel for a more stylish appearance. Some inserts have horizontal and vertical dividing bars similar to those in windowpanes.

Beaded doors have a flat-panel cabinet door design that incorporates vertical beaded texture on the recessed panel area of the door. The wood door frame is more simple and constructed with cane and stick joinery.