Inset Cabinetry

Inset cabinets are making a comeback, providing homeowners with one of the latest trends in home cabinetry. Inspired by the work of skilled craftsmen and artisans of the Georgian and Victorian periods, today's inset cabinets give a nod to nostalgic styling, providing a distinctive, heritage look that many homeowners and designers are seeking.

The door and drawer fronts sit inside of the cabinet face frame openings, flush with the face frame. This type of cabinet construction gives a full view of the cabinet frame, with only minimal spacing or gaps between the cabinet components.

Door stops are required in the cabinet box because the door does not rest, or stop, on the face frame when it is closed. For those reasons, inset door styles are typically more expensive than overlay styles.

Full-Overlay Cabinetry

In full overlay cabinet styles, the doors and drawer fronts almost completely cover the cabinet face, revealing as little as 1/8″ to 1/4″ of frame between cabinet units. The full overlay door is used most often on contemporary, especially frameless European style cabinets.

Full overlay cabinets give cabinets a more custom look. Double door cabinets with full overlay come with an additional benefit. They do not have a vertical face frame stile between the two doors, which allows homeowners to store larger items in the cabinet without having to work around the center stile needed in a standard overlay cabinet.

Full overlays affect the cost of cabinet manufacturing, since the larger doors use more material. They require cabinet hardware because there is only ¼ inch of space between doors and drawers, which can make them difficult to open without hardware.

Slab Doors

Flat-panel doors, otherwise known as "slab" cabinet doors, are increasing in popularity, largely because they lend a modern look to any kitchen or bathroom. One constant, though, is the fact that slab doors have no frames—they are solid slabs.

• Solid hardwood. This is the most expensive, but also the most durable and solid construction. These doors are formed from solid hardwood boards glued up edgewise. These are found in only the most custom installations.
• Class A, furniture-grade plywood. These are finish-grade plywood panels, in which the face layer is a high-quality hardwood applied over ply of pine or other softer woods. The edges of the slabs are covered with a hardwood veneer tape.
• MDF (particle board). Medium-density fiberboard is a standard material used for doors that will be painted, or as the core layer for doors covered with plastic laminate or thermofoil.

Glass Shaker Doors

Glass cabinet doors, often referred to as "mullions" or "muntins," are a welcome addition to any kitchen. Whether you're doing a complete remodel project or making some slight upgrades, you'll find cabinets with glass doors add sophistication and style. They bring a unique look to a long line of repetitive solid wood, and they improve both the beauty and functionality of a kitchen.

They're perfect for showing off your favorite dishware, collectibles or seasonal decor. They also create an illusion of additional space in the cabinet, which can make smaller kitchens feel more open. Upper cabinets are the most common placement for glass cabinet doors, though base cabinet applications can also be stunning. Where you choose to place glass elements is up to you, depending on your desired style. When selecting glass cabinet doors for your kitchen, you can opt for transparent glass, beveled glass, leaded glass or frosted glass. Each has a different look and will help you achieve a different design aesthetic.