Cabinet 101
Helping you understand the ins and outs of cabinetry.
Kitchen Craft's extensive selection of door styles, wood types, finishes, mouldings and storage solutions gives you and endless range of possibilities to make your dream room come true. These choices can be overwhelming though, if you don’t have a basic understanding of cabinets and their differences. Explore these helpful cabinet terms and elements to become your own expert.
Construction Types
How a cabinet is built determines how it looks and functions. Hinges, shelving and even finish options can vary greatly depending on the type of construction used. These basics will help you determine what construction type is best for you.
Frameless Construction
Frameless or "Full Access" cabinets offer greater accessibility by eliminating the frame face, and relying instead on thicker box construction for stability. Only full overlay doors can be used with hinges attached directly to the sides of the cabinet box. Shelves are typically adjustable.
Wood Compounds
Our cabinets feature various wood compounds to provide strength and durability, including:
- Particleboard – A feature of our standard construction, this board is made from a mixture of real wood shavings and binding material, such as resin, which are refined and bonded together through high-heat compression.
- Plywood – A panel made from an odd number of veneer layers in combination of lumber core, particleboard, MDF core and hardboard core joined with an adhesive. The grain of each layer runs at right angles to the next. All plywood components meet ANSI/HPVA HP-1 standards, and may contain MDF or particleboard.
- Thermofoil – Used only for cabinet doors, this PVC (polyvinyl chloride) foil pressed is onto a MDF (medium density fiberboard) core using a heated, flexible membrane.
- Veneer – A thin layer of wood applied over another surface, such as particleboard.
Raised Panel
When the door's center panel is raised, usually no further than the outside surface of the door frame.
Recessed or Flat Panel
When the door's center panel is recessed, or "sunken" compared to the outside surface of the door frame.
Axesso Storage Solutions
Unlike many cabinet builders, Kitchen Craft offers customizable cabinet interiors to ensure the perfect fit and function for you. From extra storage for bulk shoppers and roll-trays for easy access, to adjustable shelves and recycling bins, these features help clear cluttered counter space and make your life easier. See cabinet interiors for more details.
Decorative Surface Treatment
- Opaques – Opulent colors come from many coats of heavily pigmented, opaque stain suturing the wood. When opaque or painted finishes are specified, the door and/or drawer center panel may be constructed of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF).
- Glazes – A base stain is applied to the wood, followed by a hand-wiped glaze in corners and recesses. Glazing adds richness and depth to a door's profile.
- Hand Brushed Finishes – a base is applied, topped by a complementary glaze pulled through the finish in a series of random brushstrokes. This exquisite finish suggests warmth and heritage.