Differentiating Between Kitchen Cabinet Box Styles

By Author: Jason Delmar
Total Articles: 335
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At first glance, kitchen cabinets may all seem the same. People rarely stop to think about what else cabinets consist of, when in fact the most important part of the cabinet itself is behind the facade. The structure to which the doors are attached is the main component of kitchen cabinets. Without a strong support structure, cabinets would be nothing more than decoration.

There are two primary structures for cabinets, framed and frameless construction. Each style creates a unique appearance for the cabinets and requires very different methods of fastening the structure of the cabinet.

Frameless Construction: This style of cabinet presents a very modern, clean look. It consists of a box without a front frame. Also, there are no rails or stiles blocking the way so access is made easy. Special hardware fittings are used to attach the door and pin and dowel is used in the construction.

Framed Construction: Often considered the traditional framed cabinet. It consists of a front frame with rails and stiles around the cabinet opening. The door is attached to this frame. They are easier to install compared to ...
... frameless cabinets. Glue, staples and dowel and screw construction are typically used in the construction of framed cabinets.

Aside from the outside frame, the actual box undergoes its own construction. During its construction, special attention must be given to the kitchens frequent moisture changes. Due to these changes in moisture levels, the box must be made from a material that can adjust well. It is rarely made from solid wood because wood tends to warp under such exposure. Instead, it is typically made from plywood, particleboard or furniture-grade flakeboard, or medium density fiberboard. Even with custom made cabinets, very few cabinet makers will use solid wood except for the face frame. Each of the materials mentioned previously will have their own characteristics when they come in contact with water. Plywood will be the best option when looking for durability.

Floating panels are another feature created to allow for humidity. The term floating is used to describe this type of panel because it literally floats between wooden grooves instead of being glued down. This allows the panel to move freely and adjust to the moisture changes frequently received in the kitchen.

While man-made or synthetic materials are commonly used for the cabinet box, the doors, and the frame in the case of framed cabinets, are primarily made of solid wood. The warp factor can be resolved by using multiple strips of the wood in a variety of sizes. This gives the door more flexibility under humid conditions.

Although there are often several different materials used in the construction of kitchen cabinets, much can be done to unify the overall appearance. For a consistent look, a veneer can be added to the sides of the box to match the door and the same finish can be applied to both. Unless, however, a more contrasted look is desired in which you can use two different tones.
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