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Two Main Types of Cabinets

What type of cabinet do I have?

Kitchen and bath cabinets will generally fall into one of two types of cabinets, face frame or frameless.

Two main types of cabinets, framed and frameless

The face frame style cabinet will have a framework which surrounds the opening of the cabinet at the door and the drawer opening.  This is 1 1/2" width x 3/4" thickness in the majority of cabinets.  Normally, the drawer opening will be separated from the larger cabinet opening by a "mid-rail".

The frameless or European style cabinet does not have the distinctive framework as described above, and will normally consist of only the panels which comprise the top, bottom and sides of the cabinet itself.  The drawer opening can be separated from the lower opening by another panel or portion running horizontally at the bottom of the drawer opening.

It will be important to know which type of cabinet you have as you consider cabinet doors, drawers or other hardware,