Frameless vs frames
olivertwistkitchen
11 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (35)
pharaoh
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agorosie
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Framed vs Frameless cabinets
Comments (40)I am a cabinetmaker, I know how the sausage is made. I know very many cabinetmakers and I know very many installers. My practical knowledge is not a generalization, it is not a personal viewpoint, far from it. It is fact. Are you a cabinetmaker? Ok akchicago, lets begin the lesson. Frameless as you call them are euro boxes, thats because they originated in Germany post ww2. Europe had no kitchens, so they needed cabinets quickly. They sat down and came up with what is essentially a modular system based on a 32 mm increment. This was the initial distance between two boring spindles on the first euro woodworking machine. Incidentally, many Europeans take their kitchen cabinets with them when they move. Because of this ( and other reasons to be explained ) there needs to be a common installation system that is simple to use. I am not bashing American face frame cabinets, they are just differently made and need different machines and due to the joinery and material choice have much looser tolerances. Look at Poggenpohl website, they have a video of the manufacturing process. Now this is the utimate in euro but you get the idea, the machinery is top notch. Its not a powermatic table saw, a planer and a jointer. Anyhow....32mm ( the true name of frameless ) is a system. The base cabinets should have adjustable legs, such as the ones made by Camar. There should be no integral toe. This was cables can pass underneath and water damage will not wick upwards into your cabinet. There should be no blocking of the slides or hinges, they should be flush with the cabinet sides and work "in system" ie increments of 32mm. Reveals are commonly set to 3/32" and should be perfectly lined up horizontally and vertically everywhere. In terms of the biggest installation mistake, look at the uppers. They should have "suspension blocks" in the top left and right corners. These are small adjustable hardware that have a hook on the back that fit onto a metal rail that is attached to the wall behind. The reason for these suspension blocks is this,...if you were to say mount the cabinets directly to the wall with screws, the cabinets will conform to the irregular contours of the wall. These forces cause racking of the box, the box has no face frame to keep the opening square, now all the front edges of the cabinets are out of plane, that means your doors will not be set square or co-planar ie your reveals will never be constant. I am not trying to dissuade you from frameless. I love frameless. What I am trying to impress on you is that its very important to choose the right cabinet company. Here's the thing, I am coming from a very high level and to be honest most people dont see the things that I do. Why dont you tell them that you want the faces to be perfectly flush and the reveals equal, level and plumb. Stress this point and tell them you will go around and check each door when its done....See MoreFrameless vs. Framed Cabinets
Comments (4)A lot of framed cabinetry now is done with full overlay doors which mimics the look of frameless. In some respects this is more contemporary look though depending on door style and other elements full overlay framed and frameless can look very traditional. I think more traditional framed cabinetry where the face frame has some reveal is very charming in a cottage or farmhouse influenced kitchen. Some find it very dated....See Moreframeless cabinets
Comments (2)Hi rjr220, I think my post back to you on another thread got lost in the crowd. I basically have the same plan - frameless and under $20,000. I am in the Atlanta area and Ward's is one of my choices. I am also getting a quote on Door Components LLC ???? They apparently have a frameless line now. They will also do a custom paint color for an upcharge and I think Ward's will do the same thing. I still have IKEA as a backup but because I want a painted door (not white though), I would have to add that cost/labor in as well....See Moredo i 'frame' my 42 vanity mirrors or get frameless shower door
Comments (14)Depends on what look you're going for - contemporary? Then spend the $ now on frameless doors and get them installed. More traditional? Then do a shower curtain(s) and frame your mirrors. It's not that hard to do (I did it with a huge jigsaw puzzle in ds's nursery) after the mirrors are on the wall, as long as there's room. Only thing is you want to paint the back of the trim black so you don't see reflection of the wood where it overlaps the mirror. A mirror will be thicker than the jigsaw puzzle, so you'll need to route a channel in the back of the trim pieces where it overlaps the mirror, or else the outer edge of the trim won't lie flat against the wall. If you don't have the carpentry skills to DIY, ask your finish carpenter to do it - I'm sure it'll be a lot less than $200 per mirror (42" x ? each). Do you have pics of bathrooms so far (vanities, sinks, faucets, lighting installed?) so we can see what style is? Of course, oceanna's solution is much easier to DIY and looks so pretty (but more casual/contemporary). As always, oceanna, your painting is beautiful! I'd love to see your whole bathroom!...See Moreolivertwistkitchen
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobodhi
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoci_lantro
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoJamie
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agowilliamsem
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agowritersblock (9b/10a)
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agompagmom (SW Ohio)
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobodhi
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agotaggie
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoJamie
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoolivertwistkitchen
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agompagmom (SW Ohio)
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agodavidro1
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoa2gemini
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agomaggiebkit
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agosuzanne_sl
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoannkathryn
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoolivertwistkitchen
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agojakuvall
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agosuzanne_sl
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agompagmom (SW Ohio)
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agofrancoise47
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agofrancoise47
11 years agolast modified: 9 years ago2LittleFishies
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agofrancoise47
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agodavidro1
11 years agolast modified: 9 years ago2LittleFishies
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoGrace Reed
9 years ago
Related Stories
DECORATING GUIDESFrameless Art Bares Its Soul
Have you no frame? Then your artwork will fit right in with the minimalist style of today's home interiors
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNExpert Talk: Frameless Showers Get Show of Support
Professional designers explain how frameless shower doors boosted the look or function of 12 bathrooms
Full StoryKITCHEN CABINETSCabinets 101: How to Choose Construction, Materials and Style
Do you want custom, semicustom or stock cabinets? Frameless or framed construction? We review the options
Full StorySHOWERS10 Stylish Options for Shower Enclosures
One look at these showers with glass block, frameless glass, tile and more, and you may never settle for a basic brass frame again
Full StoryDESIGN DICTIONARYFace Frame
Cabinets get their strength from it, but modern cabinets sometimes go without
Full StoryWINDOWSSteel-Framed Windows Leap Forward Into Modern Designs
With a mild-mannered profile but super strength, steel-framed windows are champions of design freedom
Full StoryARTWhat's in a Frame?
Artwork languishing unhung because frame styles seem too confusing? These guidelines can help
Full StoryARTYour Guide to Custom-Framing Photos and Art
Get the lowdown on framing materials, methods and more
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNSee the Clever Tricks That Opened Up This Master Bathroom
A recessed toilet paper holder and cabinets, diagonal large-format tiles, frameless glass and more helped maximize every inch of the space
Full StoryROOM OF THE DAYRoom of the Day: An 8-by-5-Foot Bathroom Gains Beauty and Space
Smart design details like niches and frameless glass help visually expand this average-size bathroom while adding character
Full Story
jakuvall