Inset and Full-Access/European style cabinetry refer to how the cabinet box is constructed and where the cabinet door sits in relationship to the box. In this article, I will describe the pros and cons of each style.
Face Frame: Face Frame construction is the traditional North American method of constructing cabinet boxes. The plywood cabinet box has a solid wood face frame applied to the front edges of the box.
Face Frame Cabinets can either be "Inset" (as in picture 1) or "Overlay" (as in picture 2.) This refers to where the cabinet doors and drawer fronts sit in relation to the cabinet frame. Inset means that the doors are flush with the frame so that they entire frame is visible when the doors are closed. Overlay means the doors sit over the cabinet frame, mostly covering the frame when they are closed.
Picture 1 : Face Frame Inset
Picture 2: Face Frame Overlay
Generally speaking, inset is considered a higher end option. This is because it requires more careful construction and installation to ensure that the gaps between the door and frame are consistent. With overlay construction, minor imperfections can be compensated by adjusting the doors , where as if either a door or frame is out of square in inset construction , it is more noticeable and more difficult to correct.
Face Frame Pros:
Inset construction is a timeless look that reflects high level of craftmanship.
Face Frame adds some rigidity to the cabinet box to help resist bowing or sagging.
Face Frame Cons:
The face frame reduces the useable width and height of the cabinet so you lose storage space compared to a frameless cabinet .
If a face frame is damaged, it can be difficult and expensive to fix since it must be done onsite
Face Frame Overlay usually has large (1/2") reveals between the doors on adjacent boxes.
Face Frame Inset is more expensive than frameless.
Frameless/European/Full Access: Frameless cabinetry, also called "full access" or "European" style, was developed in post-WWII Europe. Facing a massive rebuilding effort and material shortages, Europe needed an efficient method for mass-producing cabinets. They developed a standardized system for manufacturing cabinets without a face-frame.
Frameless cabinets do not have a solid wood face frame. Instead, the front edges of the 3/4" thick plywood cabinet box are "edge-banded" with a strip of wood or pvc veneer. As a result, both the useable width and height of each box is increased, usually by 1.5" per box.
The doors with frameless construction are almost always "full overlay," meaning they cover almost all of the front edge of the plywood. This allows for smaller, more consistent reveals or gaps than Face Frame Overlay, resulting in an overall cleaner look.
Another advantage with frameless cabinets is that they are easier to repair. There is no visible face frame that can get damaged must be touched up in place. If a door or drawer front gets damaged it can simply be removed and repaired off-site or replaced.
While the face frame does add some rigidity to larger cabinets, this can easily be compensated for by adding dividers or fixed shelves. And for standard size cabinets, there is no difference in strength between the two methods.
Picture 3: Frameless
Frameless Pros:
Increased storage per box
Easier to repair if damaged
More consistent, tighter reveals than Face Frame Overlay.
Clean, sleek appearance makes it an excellent choice for transitional or contemporary styles.
Less expensive than Face Frame Inset.
Frameless Cons:
Taller or wider cabinets can be more prone to sagging and bowing; this needs to be addressed by engineering modifications like fixed shelves or dividers.
Some prefer the Face Frame Inset look for it's traditional lines and details.
In summary, Face Frame Inset is a beautiful, timeless, and high-end look for traditional or transitional kitchens. Frameless on the other hand offers more storage, clean lines, and repairability. Both are excellent choices; which is better for you comes down to your personal aesthetic and priorities for your kitchen.
I hope this article helped to explain the differences between the construction methods. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions to phil@perriswoodworks.com
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