Frameless vs Face Framed Cabinets
What is the difference between framed and frameless cabinetry?
General Industry Overview
| Specifications | Framed | Frameless |
| Box Construction | ½” Plywood | ¾” Plywood |
| Drawer Construction | Solid Wood Dovetail | Metal |
| Door Construction | Mitered/ Mortise & Tenon | Slab |
| Base Cabinet Depth | 24” | 24” |
| Wall Cabinet Depth | 12” | 13 ½” |
| Door Style Designs | Traditional, Transitional | Modern |
| Door Finishes | Paint or Stain | Paint, Stain, Acrylic, Melamine, Leather, Metal, Glass, Plastic |
| Preinstalled Toe kick | Yes | No |
| Hinge Style | European Soft Close | European Soft Close |
| Drawer Glide Style | Undermount Soft Close or Epoxy | Integrated Soft Close |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
| Ease of Installation | Easy | Moderate |
| Matching Exterior | Yes | No |
| Trim Options | Extensive | Limited |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
What are Framed Cabinets?
Just as the name suggests, you will find framed cabinets are simply cabinets with a face frame that covers the front of the cabinet box. It is commonly known as American Style or Traditional cabinetry and is measured in inches. Prime Cabinetry’s framed door style options offer contemporary and transitional doors as well.
The doors of a framed cabinet attach to the face frame itself, allowing more stability for the box creating a strong sturdy cabinet. However, you will have a smaller opening with face frame cabinets since the addition of a frame will slightly create less storage space for the cabinet box. To help with this, our cabinet boxes, at Prime, do not have a center stile allowing more accessibility than most framed cabinets in the industry.
What are Frameless Cabinets?
Frameless cabinets do not have a face frame and are also known as “full access” cabinets, European Style, or Modern Cabinetry. That being said, you will see many frameless cabinets measured in millimeters, however, Prime Cabinetry’s are measured in inches. A frameless box offers more ease of access and storage space by removing the face frame. Due to this, the box is typically thicker to add more stability to the construction. A frameless cabinet also has a sleeker look to it with seamless lines, and the doors attached directly to the box.
Prime Cabinetry offers several frameless doors that provide homeowners a simple and modern appeal to their home. You will see only full overlay doors used in frameless cabinets since the hinges are attached directly to the side of the cabinet box.
So, with all of this in mind, do you prefer framed or frameless cabinetry for your next kitchen or bath remodel? Weigh the options and make the right decision for your preference and space needs. As seen above, there are advantages and disadvantages to both framed and frameless cabinets. So, Prime Cabinetry invites you to check out our website at www.primecabinetry.com, to get your next project started. Let us be your guide to choosing the right cabinet style for you, and get started today!
