Cabinetry is one of the main components of any home’s kitchen design. There are countless options, styles, colors, and sizes of cabinets to choose from when redesigning your kitchen. Therefore, you want to ensure that you make the best selection for yourself and your space. Two popular cabinetry options in homes today are framed cabinets and frameless cabinets. It’s beneficial to understand the similarities and differences between these two options so you can choose the better option for your home. Without further ado, here’s what you need to know about framed vs. frameless cabinets.

Famed Cabinets

Framed cabinetry has a face frame covering the box of the cabinet. The face frame is essentially a layer of trim around the edges of the cabinet that provides a reference point for doors and external hardware. People also commonly refer to this type of cabinetry as the American style or “traditional” cabinetry because it is one of the most popular cabinet types in American households. There are a few different kinds of framed cabinetry, such as standard, inset, and full-framed cabinets, and all these styles have different-sized overlays. Overlay refers to the amount of the cabinetry face that the drawers and doors overlap.

Framed Cabinetry Advantages

Framed cabinets have various advantages that will benefit homeowners as they embark on their home improvement projects. For example, framed cabinetry offers strength, durability, and sturdiness. The face frame of framed cabinets provides reinforcement that frameless cabinets lack. These types of cabinets are also more versatile and customizable because of their various overlay options. You can also select different door styles with intricate trim to meet the specific design needs of your kitchen space. Many contractors consider framed cabinetry to be the easier style to install, making for a quicker process.

Frameless Cabinets

On the other hand, frameless cabinets do not have face frames. Frameless cabinets offer a sleeker, more modern look than framed cabinetry. Because of their popularity in Europe, people often refer to frameless cabinetry as the European style. Unlike framed cabinets, frameless cabinets have a complete overlay, meaning that there is no face frame visible at all because these types of cabinets do not have frames. This style of cabinetry is very popular among kitchens with a contemporary and minimalistic design theme. Frameless cabinets have seamless lines that fit in well with aesthetically modern kitchen spaces and offer a more futuristic feeling.

Frameless Cabinetry Advantages

Frameless cabinetry has its own set of benefits that can be advantageous for homeowners looking to redesign their kitchen spaces. For example, frameless cabinets provide more storage space because they do not have a face frame taking up additional space. This cabinetry style is also more easily accessible because there is no lip from the face frame to navigate around when entering and exiting the cabinet. Frameless cabinetry also offers more flexibility in design because you can fit them into modern, traditional, and transitional kitchen spaces.

The Differences

There are a few major differences between framed and frameless cabinetry. Perhaps the biggest difference is the presence or absence of the face frame; while framed cabinets have a face frame, frameless cabinets do not.

The construction process is another major difference between these two types of cabinetries. When constructing framed cabinetry, manufacturers must also build a face frame out of horizontal rails and vertical stiles. Manufacturers skip this step when they are building frameless cabinetry because frameless cabinets do not have frames.

The third major difference between these cabinetry styles is the installation process. Because manufacturers construct these styles differently, contractors must also install them with separate methods. Framed cabinets typically require longer screws because they must also reach through the face frame, while frameless cabinets require shorter screws.

Choosing the Perfect Cabinetry

Choosing the perfect cabinetry for your kitchen space ultimately comes down to personal needs and preferences. Now that you understand the differences and advantages of each of these cabinetry styles, you can consider which features you are more interested in having in your kitchen. Both cabinet designs are wonderful options for your home, so either one you choose will be suitable for your space. However, there are some things you will want to consider when selecting the best choice for you. For example, you will want to think about your kitchen’s overall design style and what your personal needs are within your space.

Consider Design Style

As previously mentioned, considering your kitchen’s design style is essential when selecting the proper cabinets for your interior space. If you have an overall theme or aesthetic, you will want your cabinetry to reflect that. For example, if you have a traditional theme within your kitchen, you may prefer the framed cabinets, as they offer a more refined and finished look that fits in with the traditional style. However, if you have a more minimalistic and modern kitchen design, you may want to opt for frameless cabinetry as it provides a more seamless and contemporary look. Put some thought into your decision before making a final choice to ensure you are picking the best option for your home.

Consider Personal Needs

As well as considering your design style, you will also want to consider your personal needs and functionality. You want your cabinetry to look good and cohesive with the rest of your kitchen, but you also want them to function appropriately for your specific needs. For example, suppose you require extra storage space with more accessibility; in that case, you may prefer installing frameless cabinets, as they offer a bit more internal space to store kitchen essentials and supplies. However, if you need a quicker installation process if you are flipping a house, for example, then framed cabinetry may be a more suitable option for you and your needs.

Now that you know the differences between framed and frameless cabinetry, you can determine which option is best for your home’s kitchen. Discount Kitchen Direct offers a stunning selection of kitchen cabinetry, including the beautiful Greystone shaker kitchen cabinets that will make the perfect addition to your space.