Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets: What's Perfect For Your Project?

When picking new cabinets for your home renovation project, you're presented with a variety of materials, colors, and styles. Browsing through endless opportunities to create your perfect home, you're ultimately going to ask yourself the question: should I choose framed or frameless cabinets?

We're here to help you make an informed decision so you can pick the cabinet style that suits your remodel project best. Let's dive in!

Framed Cabinets

Framed cabinets are also commonly referred to as "face frame" or "American style cabinets" as they were originally conceived in North America. This style of cabinet is a versatile option for your kitchen or bathroom remodel. As the name suggests, the front of the cabinet — the cabinet face — is framed. The doors and drawers are attached to the frame instead of the cabinet box.

You can easily identify a framed cabinet by the noticeable trim boards that are used to visibly strengthen the construction of the cabinet box. These boards are often made of hardwood while cabinet boxes are usually made from engineered wood that is less prone to water damage and easier to install because of its lighter weight.

At Kitchen Cabinet Kings, all our framed cabinets have a full overlay door style, often with a 3/4" solid birch face frame. This overlay refers to the amount of the face frame that is covered by the cabinet doors and drawers

Advantages of Framed Cabinets

Framed cabinets come with a number of advantages that you should keep in mind when making your design decision. For this type of cabinet, cabinet hinges are attached to the frame face. This allows for more reliable cabinet hinges that can add stylistic detail if you choose exposed hinges. Shelves are usually adjustable but can be more difficult to access after the installation is finished because of the face frame.

The hardwood frame face and 3/4" overlay give these cabinets a beautiful traditional style. However, with the right colors and accents, you can achieve a modern look with framed cabinets, although they're usually a better fit for homes with a more traditional design style.

Disadvantages of Framed Cabinets

The main disadvantages of framed cabinets is that they offer less storage space due to the face frame and center stile. If you're already tight on space, you may be better off with frameless cabinets.

Framed cabinets can take longer to install and are also more difficult to customize after installation. Lastly, even with full overlay cabinet doors, the face frame will be visible so keep this in mind when envisioning your future kitchen.

Cost of Framed Cabinets

If you're on a budget, framed cabinets may be a great way to save on your kitchen remodel. On average, framed cabinets cost about $1000 less than frameless cabinets for supply and installation.

Frameless Cabinets

Frameless cabinets, also called ‘full-access' cabinets, consist only of the cabinet box. Because there is no face frame attached to the skeleton of the cabinet, you have full access to the cabinet interior. This style originated in Europe and is commonly used to achieve a sleek and more contemporary design style.

In North America, all cabinets were originally framed as it provided extra strength and durability to the cabinet boxes. Today, the materials are sturdier and the face frame is no longer needed for additional support. Frameless cabinet boxes also tend to be slightly thicker in material for extra strength and stability.

Our frameless cabinets are exclusively available with full overlay doors.

Advantages of Frameless Cabinets

Because this style cabinet has no face frame, cabinet doors are only available in full overlay so they cover the entire cabinet box. This look allows for a sleek, simple aesthetic that many seek in a modern or contemporary home. Because these cabinets have no center stiles coming down the middle of larger cabinets, this style also offers more storage space.

Drawers in frameless cabinets are usually larger and shelves are easily adjustable as you don't have to work around the face frame.

Disadvantages of Frameless Cabinets

Because they're not quite as popular as framed cabinets, frameless cabinets are usually available in fewer styles and choices for material.

If your home has uneven walls, frameless cabinets are more difficult to install and upper cabinets may warp. Frameless cabinets rely solely on the cabinet box for stability so it's important that high-quality material is used.

Finally, hinges may be less reliable because they are mounted directly into the sidewalls, which are usually made of engineered wood, rather than the face frame, which is made of hardwood.

Cost of Frameless Cabinets

If you want frameless cabinets in your kitchen, you'll have to invest a little more of your budget. Because these cabinets have to be made from denser material to be as stable as cabinets with a face frame, frameless cabinets cost about $1000 more than framed cabinets on average.

Installing Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets

Framed and frameless cabinets require different hardware to be installed. Because framed cabinets are attached to each other through the width of the face frame, longer screws are required, usually 2-1/2". Frameless cabinets are screwed together through the cabinet box which allows for shorter screws, usually 1" to 1-1/4".

Should You Pick Framed or Frameless Cabinets?

Whether framed or frameless cabinets are the best choice for you comes down to your personal preference and needs. If you're working with a small kitchen or bathroom, choosing frameless cabinets that maximize the space can make a significant difference.

If you want to install glass cabinet doors, framed cabinets are the better option as they will keep the hinges hidden. Frameless cabinets provide a sleeker look than framed cabinets and are a popular choice for contemporary or modern style kitchens and bathrooms.

For a more traditional look, framed cabinets will give you the design style you're envisioning. The structural quality and durability of both framed and frameless cabinets are equal, so this shouldn't factor into your decision making.

Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets FAQs

When it comes to choosing between framed and frameless kitchen cabinets, you may still have a few questions. Check out our FAQs below to find answers.

Are framed or frameless cabinets better?

The answer to this question will be different for everyone. Both options are sturdy and strong. If you want to maximize the space in your cabinets, frameless is the way to go. If budget is your main concern, framed cabinets sometimes come at a cheaper price point and could be the better choice for your project.

Are frameless cabinets less sturdy?

No. While framed cabinets have an additional layer of hardwood and frameless cabinets are usually manufactured from engineered wood only, frameless cabinets are just as sturdy as framed cabinets because they rely on a thicker box for strength and stability.

What is a frameless wall cabinet?

A frameless wall cabinet is a hung cabinet that has no face frame. The frameless style can be applied to both top and bottom cabinets and has the advantage of providing more storage space. It's also easier to adjust shelves in frameless cabinets as you do not have to work around the face frame.

What do frameless cabinets look like?

Frameless cabinets don't have a face frame at the front of the cabinet box. Doors and drawers are attached to the cabinet box directly. These cabinets use less material which also means that you won't see any center style coming down the middle of a frameless cabinet.