When going through a kitchen remodel you will find yourself encountering a lot of different terminology. At times, it may be a little confusing and you can easily feel overwhelmed. For that reason, we wanted to create a series of simple guides to help you with some of the terms we commonly use during the design process. Remember, we are here during the entire process and our number one goal is to help you achieve your dream kitchens and baths. Our series begins with cabinetry, so here we go!

 

Cabinet Door Materials

• Wood: Wood is the most common cabinet door material used. There are several species of wood, with each having their own set of characteristics such as color and textures.
• Veneer: This is typically a very thin piece of wood that is applied to the cabinet door. This is a good option if you’re interested in exotic wood which may not be easily attainable.
• Melamine: This is a plastic based product that bonds to the cabinet door through high pressure.  This product is a tough material that has many color variations and styles.
• Thermofoil: This is a type of vinyl that is applied through heat and pressure to the cabinet door. This too has various color options and styles to choose from.

Take a trip to our showroom to see all the options we have to offer!

Construction types: Frameless, Framed, and Inset

• Frameless: This type of construction is the most commonly used when remodeling. It is also referred to as “European construction”. With this option you receive the best accessibility when using your cabinets. The cabinet door also covers the frame of the cabinet box.
• Framed: Like its name, this is a cabinet box that has a frame covering its face. Due to the frame, you sacrifice a little bit of accessibility. Also to note, the cabinet door does not commonly cover the entire frame leaving portions of the frame exposed.
• Inset: This type of construction is also framed but the cabinet door and drawers are sitting inside the frame. This type of look typically leans more on the traditional side. See the photos below:

Panel Types

• Recessed Panel: This is a type of door that has a flat center panel, such as the shaker door style. This panel type is common in transitional style kitchens. 
• Raised Panel: This is a type of door where the center panel of the door is raised. This can be seen in kitchens and baths leaning more traditional .
• Flat Panel: This type of door has a completely flat panel. You will see this panel type in modern applications.

See the different types below:

Keep looking out for our topics covering materials! Coming soon: Countertops 101.