Cabinet Design
How Your Cabinets Are Built
The cabinet box and frame style is the structural foundation of every project. It determines how doors hang, how the finished piece looks, and how it holds up over time.
Before we talk about doors, wood, or hardware — we need to talk about how the cabinet itself is constructed. We build face frame cabinets in three overlay styles. Each has a distinct look and a different set of trade-offs.
Modifed Full Overlay
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Full overlay doors cover nearly the entire face frame, leaving only a small reveal between doors. The result is a clean, modern look with minimal frame showing. This is the most common style in contemporary and transitional kitchens.
Advantages
- Clean, modern appearance
- More door surface visible
- Works with most hardware styles
- Easier to keep clean
Considerations
- Less forgiving on out-of-square walls
- Requires precise installation
Partial Overlay
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Partial overlay doors cover part of the face frame, leaving a wider border of frame visible between doors. This is a traditional style common in older homes and more casual spaces. It's straightforward to build and install.
Advantages
- Traditional, familiar look
- Easier installation tolerances
- Cost-effective
Considerations
- More frame visible between doors
- Less common in modern designs
Inset
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Inset doors sit flush inside the face frame opening. When closed, the door face is level with the frame — no overlap. This is the most demanding style to build and install correctly, and it has a classic, furniture-grade look that ages beautifully.
Advantages
- Classic, high-end appearance
- Timeless in traditional and transitional spaces
- Doors and drawers flush with frame
Considerations
- Most labor-intensive to build
- Requires precise fitting
- Wood movement must be accounted for
What We Build Into Every Cabinet
Solid Wood Face Frames
All face frames are built from solid hardwood — same species as your door. No MDF or particleboard in the frame.
Plywood Box Construction
Cabinet boxes are built from furniture-grade plywood, not particleboard. Plywood holds screws better, resists moisture, and lasts longer.
Dado-and-Rabbet Joinery
Face frames are dadoed for stronger joints rather than just face-nailed.
Adjustable Shelf Holes
Every upper cabinet and pantry is drilled for adjustable shelves so you can reconfigure storage as your needs change.
Not Sure Which Style Is Right?
We'll walk you through the options in person and show you samples. No commitment required.