CHIDI NWAJAGU

KITCHEN AND BATH CONSTRUCTION

METHODS (DESN 3301)

NANCY BOSSCHA

18TH OCTOBER, 2021

CABINETRY: A PART OF MODERN LIVING
Table of content

Introduction ………………………………………..1

Inset cabinet door ……………………………………….1

Fully overlay cabinet door ……………………………………….1

Standard overlay cabinet door ………………………………………2

Materials for cabinet doors ………………………………………2

Hinges & slides ………………………………………3

Full overlay and face frame hinges ………………………………………3

Side mount slides ………………………………………4

Under mount slides ………………………………………4

Conclusion ………………………………………4

References ………………………………………5
Introduction

According to Simplicable (2021), Modern architecture or living conforms to the principle that

form follows function, less is more and the use of most practical material to fulfill functions of

a design.

The present-day cabinetry has become an inseparable part of modern living as it addresses the

daily storage needs while conforming to the above modern architectural principles.

Cabinet doors are the part of cabinet meant for accessing or securing a cabinet, but beyond this

function, it adds beauty to the cabinet and space around. Hence the need to carefully select a

style, materials, hardware and accessories that best fits a space in terms of function and style

is imperative. Cabinet door style largely depends on how it looks (Business world, 2008)

There are 3 major categories of cabinet door style for various types of cabinet (custom, semi-

custom or stock) addressing different design style or function needs.

Inset Cabinet door

Inset cabinet door features doors and drawers that fit inside of the

cabinet face frame opening. It is best used for traditional and vintage

design style. However, they are expensive and provide less storage

space and are hardly used for modern cabinetry designs (McManus
Fig 1: Inset cabinet Source:
kitchen and bath, 2018). They require hardware such as handles to operate. Durasupreme.com

Full overlay cabinet door

A full overlay is a cabinet door that conceals

the opening to the storage area and leaves very

little gaps between the adjacent openings so

Fig 2: Full overlay door
cabinet Source: that only a small portion of the cabinet box is
Durasupreme.com
visible between units. It rests on the cabinet opening when it is closed. A major advantage of

the full overlay over the inset cabinet door is that it does not interfere with the interior storage

space and can be used on both framed and frameless cabinet unlike the inset cabinet door which

is limited to framed cabinets. This door style is adopted in most modern and contemporary

design style (Kitchencabinetkings, 2021).

Standard overlay cabinet door

Standard Overlay cabinet doors are like full

overlay door but are designed to expose more

of the frame between each door. Hardware

here are used more for decoration rather than

utility function as it has enough finger space

between the door and the face frame. It also

provides more storage space than the inset

Fig 3: Standard overlay cabinet

Source: Durasupreme.com cabinet door and is used for framed cabinets.

Materials for cabinet doors

Arguably a more important element to consider than function and style is the material

as it greatly influences cost and durability of a cabinet. Various material options are

available for cabinet doors from natural wood to engineered materials thanks to

technological advancement. On the list of options are hardwood, glass, steel, MDF and

HDF etc. Selecting an option will be a function of design style, budget and use with

each material having its pros and cons. Hardwoods are usually a great option for

traditional cabinets as it can be easily customized. It is very durable though expensive.

Engineered woods like MDF and HDF are used mostly in modern contemporary design
style. Stainless steel is best fit for professional kitchens which are prone to large degree

of moisture exposures as it does not expand and contrast like wood (Franklyn, 2017).

Hinges & Slides

These are mechanical hardware that allow the opening and closing movement of doors and

shelves of a cabinet. While the hinges are for doors, the slides are for drawers. There are arrays

of options available depending on the type of cabinet, frame or frameless.

Innovative push-open and soft-closing mechanisms introduced by various manufacturers has

eliminated the need for decorative hardware (handles) and reduced the noise generated by the

contact of door or drawer face with cabinet frame.

Some popular brands have dominated the cabinet hardware and accessory market due quality

and innovative designs. Blum, Hafele, Richelieu, Stanley etc.

Full overlay and Face frame hinges

For traditional frame cabinets, a surface-mounted hinge that is attached to the inside edge of

the frame and the outside edge of the door is used. For inset door styling, hinges have an

exposed barrel with or without decorative finials at the top and bottom. For framed cabinetry

with an overlay door configuration, similar hinges are designed that are shaped to fit the door

profile.

Frameless cabinetry uses hinges that

are totally concealed on the inside of

Fig 4a: full overlay soft close
hinge source:hingeoutlet.com the cabinet and are mostly
Fig 4b: full overlay soft
close hinge
Source: hingeoutlet.com demountable, which means they easily snap on Source:woodworking.com

Source: hingeoutlet.com
and off during installation. They are also adjustable in three directions making

it easy to adjust the alignment of the door to the drawer facing (Marathon hardware, 2021).
Full overlay hinges are for individual cabinets or the cabinets on either end of a run of cabinets.

Side-Mount slides

A Side-mount slides mount to the side of the drawer box. Side-mount slides are available in

ball-bearing versions and epoxy/Euro versions, which have a nylon roller that rides in a track.

The ball-bearing types offer the benefits of smooth ball-bearing operation, high load capacities,

and options for full-extension and over-travel. They have a detent as standard, which keeps the

drawer from creeping open if the cabinet is slightly out of plumb. The epoxy-coated versions

offer self-closing action and an opening detent, which

keeps the drawer open for easy access as you work. These

slides require clearance – usually 1/2" – between the

drawer slides and the sides of the cabinet opening

(Rockler, 2021). Fig 5: Side mount slide

Source: woodcraft.com

Undermount slides

Undermount slides offer two benefits that side-mount slides do not: they are totally concealed

beneath the drawer, and offer slightly more storage area inside the drawer. Undermount

slides also commonly has features like soft-close, which has made them a top choice for high-

end cabinetry. The drawer boxes have specific requirements for side thickness, drawer

dimensions, and often require notching at the back (Rockler, 2021).

Conclusion

Cabinetry has become an integral part of modern architecture and living, whether traditional or

urban contemporary style, the right attention is required for material and hardware selection to

meet both budget and taste requirements.

References

• 16 Characteristics of Modern Houses. (n.d.). Retrieved from Simplicable website:

https://simplicable.com/new/modern-houses

• Bria Cabinetry. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2021, from Dura Supreme Cabinetry

website:https://www.durasupreme.com/bria-cabinetry/

• Cabinet Hardware Drawer Systems & Slides | Push Open & Soft Close. (n.d.).

Retrieved October 17, 2021, from www.marathonhardware.com website:

https://www.marathonhardware.com/cat/drawer-systems-and-slides/302686

• cabinetry - What is the difference between full overlay and half overlay hinges? (n.d.).

Retrieved October 17, 2021, from Woodworking Stack Exchange website:

https://woodworking.stackexchange.com/questions/1540/what-is-the-difference-

between-full-overlay-and-half-overlay-hinges#

• Franklyn, S. (2017, August 23). How to Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinet Materials for

Your Project - Architizer Journal. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from Journal website:

https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/cabinet-materials/

• Materials of contruction used in cabinet doors. (2008, October 25). Retrieved October 17,

2021,from Business World website: https://margaritajones.wordpress.com/tag/materials-of

contruction-used-in-cabinet-doors/

• Rockler. (2017). Retrieved October 17, 2021, from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

website: https://www.rockler.com/learn/choosing-drawer-slide

• Standard Overlay or Full Overlay Cabinets – What’s the Difference? (2015, February 9).

Retrieved October 17, 2021, from McKee Homes website:

https://www.mckeehomesnc.com/blog/standard-overlay-or-full-overlay-cabinets-whats-the-

difference/
• Why We Hate Inset Cabinets. (2018, November 18). Retrieved October 17, 2021, from

McManus Kitchen and Bath Tallahassee | Design+Build Remodeling Contractor website:

https://mcmanuskitchenandbath.com/inset-cabinets-pros-and-cons/