The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Construction: What You Need to Know

Understanding kitchen cabinet construction is necessary for anyone looking to heighten their kitchen's functionality and aesthetics. Cabinet construction directly affects their durability, appearance, and cost. This guide helps make informed decisions about kitchen cabinetry.

Types of Kitchen Cabinet Construction

Understanding the four main types of cabinet construction, frameless, inset, and overlay, can give you a significant competitive edge. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, and this knowledge can be a game-changer in the industry.

• Framed Cabinets: These feature a face frame that adds stability and allows for various door mounting options. Framed cabinets have a traditional look and robust structural support.

• Frameless Cabinets:
  
  lack a face frame. This provides a sleek, modern design with more accessible storage space. The absence of a frame allows for larger drawers and e: asier access.

• Inset vs. Partial Overlay vs. Full Overlay Construction:
  
  Inset Doors are set within the cabinet frame, offering a flush, classic appearance. These typically cost about 15% more than overlay cabinets.
• Partial Overlay:
  
  Doors partially cover the frame, leaving some of it visible, which is common in traditional designs.
• Full Overlay: Doors cover the cabinet frame completely, providing a seamless and contemporary look.

Cabinet Materials and Their Pros & Cons

Choosing the right cabinet material is as crucial as understanding the construction method. This decision can significantly impact the quality and longevity of your cabinets.

• Solid Wood: Classic and durable but can be expensive.
• Plywood: Strong and moisture-resistant, making it a reliable choice for cabinet boxes.
• MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): Affordable and smooth, ideal for paint finishes, but less durable than solid wood.
• Particleboard: Budget-friendly particle board is susceptible to swelling if exposed to moisture.
• Thermofoil & Laminate: Easy to maintain with various finishes but susceptible to heat damage.
• Wood Veneer: Offers the look of solid wood at a lower cost by applying a layer of wood over a base material.
• Stainless Steel: Provides a sleek, modern finish that is durable and easy to clean but can show fingerprints.

Cabinet Door Styles & Their Impact on Construction

The type of door style you are drawn to will affect the construction used to craft your new kitchen cabinets.

• Shaker Style:
  
  Timeless and versatile, with a simple, clean design. Traditional kitchen styles such as shaker cabinets are making a comeback, favored by 14% of renovators.
• Slim Shaker: 
  
  Features thinner frames and panels, offering a modern twist to the classic shaker style.
• Flat Panel (Slab):
  
  Minimalist and contemporary, with a flat door surface
• Raised Panel :
  
  Traditional and elegant, featuring a center panel raised above the door's rest.
• Glass Front Cabinets:
  
  Ideal for displaying decorative items or delicate dishware.

Joinery and Construction Techniques

• Dovetail Joints: High-end, durable joints commonly used in draw construction.

• Stapled and Glued Joints: Cost-effective but generally weaker than our methods.

• b Common in ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets, offering decent strength and ease of assembly.

• Soft-Close Hinges & Drawer Glides: Improve durability and functionality by preventing slamming and reducing.

Best Practices for Choosing Quality Cabinetry

• Checking for solid construction techniques.
• Importance of full-extension drawer glides.
• Ensuring moisture and warp resistance.
• Comparing price vs. long-term value.

The Great Buy Cabinets Difference

At GreatBuy Cabinets, we specialize in providing value-oriented kitchen and bath cabinets. Our proportional designs, quality materials, and wholesale prices make us your complete source for a successful project.

For those interested in a modern and refined kitchen design, our selection of frameless cabinets offers style and practicality. Explore our range of frameless and framed cabinets and discover the perfect fit for your kitchen. Rest easy knowing that designers created them for maximum functionality.

Are you ready to take the next step? Our team at Great Buy Cabinets is here to assist you, and we can't wait to help you bring your dream kitchen to life.

• Free Kitchen Design: Work with experts to create your dream kitchen layout through our free kitchen design services.
• Order Sample: Experience the quality of our materials firsthand by ordering samples before making a decision.

Order Samples

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$20 for Full Door

What does ‘premium’ really feel like? Try a quarter or full door sample and experience it yourself!

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