Kitchen cabinets make up a large portion of the visual aesthetic of your kitchen. From color to texture and appearance, they set the tone for the overall style. Beyond wood type and hardware, one of the biggest decisions to be made regarding cabinetry is whether to go with framed or frameless cabinets. If you need a little help deciding, this guide breaks down the differences between the two.

Appearance

Framed cabinets have a 1.5-inch frame around each door. The door attaches to this frame and lends dimension to the overall appearance. Frameless cabinets, as the name implies, don’t have this feature. Instead, they offer a sleek, smooth aesthetic that’s a perfect fit for many modern homes. 

Space

Framed and frameless cabinets offer the same amount of space, but the latter offers more accessible room. For this reason, the frameless style is often referred to as “full access” cabinetry. Without a frame getting in the way, every inch of space inside is available for use.

Framed cabinets surrender some of their accessibility in their design. Center stiles that come down the center of double cabinets create issues for accessibility when it comes to larger dishes. Frameless cabinets don’t have a center stile, which allows for easy, unimpeded access. 

Installation

If you’re having either of these kitchen cabinets installed by a professional, there will be no significant difference in time or process. The only difference between the two in regards to installation is the size and amount of screws needed.

Because framed cabinets attach to each other through the width of the frame, longer screws are needed. Frameless cabinets connect directly through the side panels and don’t need as much length. Due to the shallow length of the screws needed for frameless cabinet installation, more screw locations are required to ensure they’re attached securely. 

Looking to update the kitchen cabinets in your home? Factory Direct Kitchen & Bath in Lineville, AL, is your team of local cabinetry experts. They’re a factory direct store for Wellborn Cabinet®, which specializes, in gorgeous frameless cabinets for your home or office. Visit them online to view their extensive selection or call them today at (256) 396-6533 for more information.