Cabinet Construction

Photo features Canyon Creek cabinetry with Limoges door style in Cherry.

Kitchen cabinets come in countless styles, but in terms of construction they fit into three standard categories: face-framed, frameless, and inset.

Face-framed cabinets have a frame to which the cabinet doors are attached. Face frame has horizontal rails and vertical stiles. The frame provides an easy location to attach hinges. It also adds strength to the cabinet box.

Framed cabinets have a traditional look with doors that may have ornameted faces with raised or recessed panels, or a framed glass panel.

Frameless cabinets — also known as European-style cabinets — are built without a frame. Instead they are held together by a solid top and back panel which are sometimes absent in framed cabinets. Frameless cabinets usually have hidden hinges that are attached to the side of the cabinet box. Frameless cabinets have a clean, contemporary look, without ornamentation, molding or trim.

In the past, frameless cabinets automatically meant laminated doors and drawer fronts, but today they are available in solid hardwoods as well.

Photo features Canyon Creek Cabinetry with Impressions Nouveau Door Style in Wild Cherry.

Inset construction cabinetry has the classic look of handcrafted furniture. With inset construction, the cabinet door and drawer fronts are recessed (inset) and flush with the cabinet face frame. Multiple specialty finishes are available, along with your choice of classic exposed finial hinges or six-way adjustable concealed hinges. All inset cabinets come standard with solid hardwood drawers, featuring dovetail construction and full-extension undermount guides.

Photo features Canyon Creek Cabinetry with Falmouth Inset Door in Rustic Alder.