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Cabinet Terminology

What is a Rail?

RailA rail is a long, slender piece of wood such as a board or beam. In a cabinet frame, the top and bottom horizontal pieces are referred to as the rails.

A rail is the horizontal portion of a cabinet frame. Rails are combined with the vertical pieces of wood, which are known as the stiles. Each door frame or cabinet frame has two rails, one on top and one on bottom. The frame also has one stile on each side. This type of construction is referred to as a frame and panel technique. A door that is constructed using rails, stiles and a panel may be known as a five piece door. Many cabinet styles incorporate the frame and panel technique. All pieces, including the rail, can be made of solid wood or manufactured wood products. The rail is sanded and stained, or it may be a veneer that is designed to match the rest of the cabinet units.

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