The various building techniques, materials, and components used in cabinetry are referred to by several technical terminology and expressions. We at Askin Cabinets with over 2 decades of experience in manufacturing, designing, and installing cabinetry, want to make sure our customers know exactly what these terms mean. This information will not only help you choose cabinets for your house or place of business with confidence, but it will also make it easier for you to express your preferences to our design staff.
- Cabinet Box: This is the term for the cabinet’s basic structure, or carcass, which holds the doors, drawers, and shelves. Most cabinet boxes are made of solid wood, particleboard, or plywood.
- Face Frame: A rectangular frame fastened to the front of the cabinet box is called a face frame. It offers structural stability as well as a surface on which doors and drawers may be fastened. European-style or frameless cabinets lack a face frame, giving them a more seamless, modern appearance.
- Framed Construction: In this traditional method, the front of the cabinet box is fastened with a face frame. After that, the face frame is mounted to hold the shelves, doors, and drawers. Strong and long-lasting are characteristics of framed cabinets.
- Frameless (European-style) Construction: As the name implies, face frames are absent from frameless cabinets. Rather, the cabinet box is left completely uncovered, and hidden hinges and slides are used to place the doors and drawers straight onto the cabinet box. This style of building optimizes interior space while providing a sleek, contemporary look.
- Inset Doors and Drawers: Cabinet doors and drawer fronts with inset doors and drawers are made to fit flush inside the face frame or cabinet box opening. Although it demands exact craftsmanship, this style has a timeless, furniture-like appearance.
- Overlay Doors and Drawers: To provide a more modern appearance, overlay doors, and drawer fronts partially enclose the face frame or cabinet box opening. Depending on the intended accessibility and appearance, there are choices for both full and partial overlays.
- Hinges: Hinges are the hardware components that allow cabinet doors to swing open and close. Common hinge types include butt hinges, concealed hinges, and soft-close hinges.
- Slides: Also referred to as runners or drawer guides, slides are the parts that make it possible for drawers to open and close smoothly. Undermount slides, soft-close slides, and ball-bearing slides are popular choices.
- Shelves: To provide storage space, cabinets often have fixed or movable shelves. There are three types of shelves: pull-out, roll-out, and fixed.
- Drawers: To offer effortless access to its contents, drawers are storage compartments that glide out of the cabinet box. They can be built using a variety of materials, including plywood, solid wood, and dovetail joints.
- Door and Drawer Fronts: These are the cabinet doors’ and drawers’ outwardly exposed surfaces. They can be customized with different styles, colors, and finishes and produced from a range of materials, such as wood, thermofoil, laminate, or glass.
- Toe Kick: The space beneath a cabinet that is recessed to provide access to the cabinets and a comfortable place to stand.
- Countertops: The level work areas that are set up above the base cabinets. Solid surface, laminate, quartz, and granite are common countertop materials.
- Crown Molding: A decorative trim element that is placed atop the cabinets to give them a polished appearance and improve their overall appearance.
- Soft-Close: A feature that prevents slamming and offers a quiet, gentle closure for doors and drawers by slowing down the closing motion. It can be included in dampers, slides, or hinges.
- Backsplash: A vertical surface material that is placed between wall cabinets and countertops to shield the wall from splashes and provide style.
Understanding The Terms to Make Better Cabinet Choices
Gain a better understanding of the terminology related to cabinet construction so that you may ask informed questions, express your views, and make well-informed decisions during the design and installation process. Here at Askin Cabinets our staff of knowledgeable experts is always available to offer more advice and make sure you have cabinets that not only satisfy your functional requirements but also showcase your unique aesthetic preferences and sense of style.
Get a quote from us now and we can guarantee quality service and a satisfying customized design based on your preferences. With over 2 decades of experience in the business, Askin Cabinets will surely be able to satisfy your needs so contact us now and let us help you with any of your customizing, designing, and installing!