Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets: Everything You Need to Know

When selling a house, the kitchen is one of the major areas that potential buyers look at. They want to know how much counter and cabinet space they have. They want to know that the cabinets are in good shape.

So when it's time to replace your cabinets, you need to think carefully about your choices. What styles do buyers like? What's the difference between framed vs frameless cabinets?

You need to know the difference between these types of cabinets to make an informed decision. So read on to learn everything you need to know about framed and frameless cabinets.

Framed Cabinets

Framed cabinets are more popular in the United States, so they're also sometimes called American-style cabinets. They are also measured in inches for this reason. You may also know these cabinets as traditional-style cabinets.

These cabinets have an extra piece that connects to the box of the cabinet called a frame. This piece tends to be about 3/4 inches thick and 1 1/2 inches wide. The hinges for the cabinet doors are then attached to the frame rather than the actual cabinet.

This gives framed kitchen cabinets several benefits and disadvantages.

The Benefits

Framed cabinets tend to be sturdier than frameless cabinets. This also allows manufacturers to offer a variety of materials and styles for their cabinets. That means you can always find the right framed cabinets for your kitchen.

They also tend to be cheaper than frameless cabinets. This is because you can choose cheaper materials to make high-quality framed cabinets. They also tend to be easier to install, so you don't need to pay as much in labor costs during installation.

If you have uneven walls, then you don't need to worry too much. These cabinets can still be installed on your walls as well. You won't need to do major renovations to make that happen.

Those who live in the United States also get the benefit of having the measurements easier to read since it's already in inches. This makes it easier to calculate how much each cabinet costs to install in your home.

The Disadvantages

Once framed cabinets are installed, they are difficult to customize. This means that if you want to add drawers or lazy susans to your cabinets later, you might have a hard time doing this. It might also cost a lot to build into the cabinets.

You will always see the frames when you open the doors to your new cabinets. There will also always be seams unless you pay extra for customization. Not everyone is ok with this look in their homes, so it's something you need to consider before you purchase.

The biggest caveat, however, is the amount of space in your cabinets. To accommodate for the extra plywood on your cabinet, the storage space inside the cabinet becomes smaller. This means you can't keep as many items inside of your new cabinets as you would if you got frameless cabinets instead.

Frameless Cabinets

Frameless cabinets are considered more modern and are more popular in Europe. This is why they are also known as modern or European-style cabinets. They are usually measured in millimeters instead of inches because of this.

Instead of having a frame attached to the cabinet box, the door hinges attach directly to the box. This means no seams and no frames when you open your cabinet doors. Many people prefer this look these days as it looks sleeker and more elegant than framed cabinets.

Of course, that's not the only benefit of getting frameless cabinets. There is a lot more to consider than just looks.

The Benefits

The way these cabinets are made means that they aren't as sturdy or stable as framed cabinets. The good news is that means frameless cabinets are made with sturdier materials. They are generally thicker and can last just as long as framed cabinets.

Many people appreciate the "flush finish" of frameless cabinets. It means that there are no seams when looking at the sides. Most people agree it looks more like looking at a piece of furniture than regular cabinets.

They also offer more space for storage than framed cabinets do. In general, frameless cabinets offer ten to fifteen percent more space than framed cabinets. This also makes them more accessible than framed cabinets.

They are also more easily customized after installation. If you want to add drawers or lazy susans to your cabinets after they're installed, you don't need to worry about the cost of doing so.

The Disadvantages

These cabinets have to rely on the construction of the box itself to keep it stable. This also means that you can't put as much weight on them as you can with framed cabinets.

While they're made using sturdier materials, this has the trade-off of having fewer options for materials. This also means that there are few style options for frameless RTA cabinets. In other words, you might have a hard time finding frameless cabinets that match your style for your kitchen.

They can't be placed on uneven walls as framed cabinets can. If you tried to do so, they would warp. This means that you have to make sure that you have an even wall to install them on.

Finally, these cabinets tend to be more expensive. Stronger materials mean that the cabinet itself is more expensive to build. Frameless kitchen cabinets are also harder to install, meaning the cost of labor goes up too.