The sizes and types of cabinets vary, and each has hardware and modification options. If you want to choose kitchen decor, one of the most significant factors is whether you choose a face frame cabinet (also known as a framed cabinet) or a frameless one. Despite some technical differences between frameless and face-frame cabinets, the aesthetic factors are the most significant element in selecting them.
Below, you will learn more about this kind of cabinet and its advantages and disadvantages.
Face-frame cabinet: what is it?
Face frames are one of the most popular American styles that have a frame or border encircling the edges of the cabinet box. The main goal of these cabinets is that when the door is open, the frame covers the inner corners of the cabinet box. This style gives them a more formal look.
Occasionally, a center stile—a vertical partition running the length of the cabinet box—can prevent a gap from appearing when both doors are closed.
Framed cabinets are made of:
- Stiles, which are the frame’s vertical components.
- Rails, which are their horizontal components
Advantages of Installing Face Frame Cabinets
- Structural support: The solid wood frame keeps it from warping over time.
- Provide options: Framed cabinetry has different types and works with any form of door style, like full overlay, partial overlay, inset, etc.
- Looks beautiful: Framed cabinetry has a more refined appearance because the hinges are hidden within the cabinet box. They are typically considered a formal cabinet.
- Adapts to all overlay types: Although both frameless and framed cabinetry has numerous options, framed cabinetry is more versatile in terms of installation and can accept any type of overlay.
- Traditional Appearance: Framed cabinets, often known as “traditional-style cabinets,” is the most common type of cabinetry in American Kitchen Styles. This can accommodate a wide range of kitchen themes, from traditional to country farmhouses.
- Low-cost: Occasionally, framed cabinets are more affordable than frameless ones. For framed cabinets, you can expect to pay $5000–$20,000, while frameless cabinets cost between $6,000-$30,000 or even more.
- Hinge Options: When it comes to cabinet hinge types, you can select between hidden and visible face frame cabinet hinges. Your cabinets will look more appealing if you add attractive hinges.
- Adjustable: With framed cabinets, kitchens with irregularly shaped or improperly squared walls can be simply altered.
Disadvantages of face frame cabinet construction
- Reduces cabinet space: The frame covers the cabinet, creating less room for storage. Also, drawer sizes in framed cabinets are smaller since the frame occupies more space along the cabinet’s side. Therefore, framed cabinets are not a perfect choice if storage is your top priority.
- Limited access: The frame may make it hard to slide out larger or weirdly shaped kitchen items, which may lead to clogged drawers.
Tips for installing and assembling face frame kitchen cabinet
- Use PVA glue to affix the face frame to the cabinet box. PVA is a long-lasting and powerful wood glue that eliminates the need to cover exposed screw holes.
- Make use of pocket hole joinery. Pocket hole joinery securely fastens both cabinetry pieces without putting too much stress on the wood.
- Have five to ten wood clamps on hand for each cabinet box. While everything is being placed, wood clamps act as a second set of hands along the cabinet box’s edge, filling in gaps along the frame. They help secure the face frames to the cabinet boxes as well as hold them in place while the glue dries.
- Sand the face frame using a belt sander when fastening the frame to the cabinet box. By doing so, you can eliminate any installation marks and make sure the frame is exactly level with the box. The face frame kitchen cabinet may become damaged and difficult to smooth later if you sand it before fastening it.
Various face-frame cabinet designs
It is now time to consider which style of framed cabinets is best for your home. Do you prefer the door to sit inside the frame or see more frames? Before making a choice, carefully consider all your options.
Full overlay cabinet doors
Full overlay cabinet doors or modified ones conceal door hinges and cover the cabinet face. Due to extra-large doors and drawers, you can expect more storage.
This style has the most modern and seamless appearance since it barely shows the cabinet face around each door and drawer front.
One of the significant disadvantages of these door styles is that their corners are exposed, making them easier to damage over time.
Partial (Half) Overlay Cabinet Doors
The entire face of this door style is covered by a constant 2-inch strip of the frame.
Although some people love to have room between the doors and the drawers, this style might not be the best option for your kitchen decor if you prefer a sleeker, cleaner appearance. Full overlay doors use more wood than partial overlay doors, but the quality of both is the same.
Partial overlay cabinet doors frequently appear disproportionate to many homeowners due to a large amount of space between each cabinet.
Inset cabinet doors
One of the most popular face frame cabinet doors is the inset door, which has a polished appearance. They are mounted inside the cabinet frame, and a door pull or a knob is needed to open the cabinet. Depending on your desire, you can either conceal the hinges or make them visible.
Insert cabinet doors are a more expensive option, and their price ranges from $150 to $1200 per linear foot. This style gives the least amount of storage space when compared to other options because the drawer lies inside the frame.
Face-frame cabinet vs. frameless
Frameless cabinets have no frame; therefore, when you look at them, you see the edges of the cabinet box. While framed cabinet contains a frame on the cabinet’s front where its door will rest,
FAQ
How to attach the face frame to the cabinet?
Attaching a face frame to the cabinet is a relatively simple process.
- First step: measure and cut the frame to size.
- Second step: to create a snug fit, the frame must be slightly larger than the cabinet itself.
- Last step: the frame can be attached to the cabinet using either nails or screws when it is cut to size.
What is the standard for face frame cabinet dimensions?
As a standard, the face frame part sizes are typically one and a half inches wide unless otherwise requested. Tolerances on all constructed face frames will be +/- 1 mm for overall sizes and +/- 1 mm for each opening.
Takeaway
Do you think of a cabinet face frame replacement? Contact the ConfirmedC team. Our local experts will help you choose the best options for your kitchen decor. So, why hesitate? Contact us now to get a satisfactory discount.
