Custom Cabinet Terms
Category Construction Glossary
½" Overlay
Door styles that cover ½" of the face frame at the top and bottom, leaving 1¼" of the
face frame exposed.
Arch
A custom cabinet door style with an arched top on the wall and door cabinet.
Bead Board
A custom cabinet recessed panel door with vertical grooves, providing a decorative
appearance and feel of "Cottage" style architecture.
Beaded Door
A custom cabinet flat panel cabinet door design that incorporates vertical beaded
texture on the recessed panel area of the door. The wood door frame is more simple
and constructed with cane and stick joinery.
Cathedral
A custom cabinet door style with a uniquely curved top, similar to church windows on
the wall cabinet doors.
Cherry
Cherry is an elegant, multi-colored hardwood, which may contain small knots and pin
holes. Natural or light stains accent these color variations making a distinctive
statement in a full kitchen. Cherry wood will darken or “mellow” with age. This mellowing
is a natural occurrence and the benefit of owning a solid cherry kitchen.
Concealed Hinge
A cabinet build were the hinge is attached to the inside edge of the face frame and to
the back of the door. This type of cabinet construction hides the hinge from outside of
the cabinet.
Distressing
A custom cabinet technique where small indentions, notches, scuffs, etc., are made in
the wood to produce an aged look.
Dovetail
A construction method used to reinforce the joining of two perpendicular parts. Wooden
cabinet drawer boxes are commonly dovetailed.
Drawer Bottom
The inside bottom piece of cabinet drawers.
Drawer Front
The wood or thermofoil face of the drawer that coordinates with the door style.
Drawer Guides
The hardware installed on drawers that supports the gliding motion of the drawer. The
specific drawer guide used varies depending the drawer construction selected.
End Panel
The wood panel on the outside (left or right side) of a base cabinet. Also referred to as
ends, sides and side panels. This is the outside vertical cabinet member, supporting
horizontal parts.
Filler
A piece used to fill any gaps in cabinetry design that is not filled by cabinets to make
the design fit the room precisely.
Flat Panel
A recessed center panel to a door or drawer design conveying Transitional, Shaker, or
Arts and Crafts styling.
Framed Cabinets
The traditional custom cabinet framed has a front frame around the cabinet opening to
which the door is attached. These are the most popular type of cabinets in the U.S. and
are easier to install than frame less cabinetry because of their recessed end panels
and rigid front frame. Framed cabinets are available in Traditional and Full Overlay
styling which are explained below. Framed construction utilizes glue, staple and dowel
or screw construction.
Frame less Cabinets
Frame less, or European-style cabinets, have no front frame. The doors are attached
directly to the sides of the cabinet. Frame less cabinets, which are more contemporary
in style, offer the advantage of completely unobstructed access to the cabinet interior
because there is no front frame. Frame less construction utilizes pin and dowel
construction.
Full Extension Drawer Guide
Custom cabinet drawer glides that allow the drawer to be completely extended to the
back of the drawer. Full extension drawers provide complete access to the dept of the
drawer box when opening the cabinet drawer.
Door styles that cover ½" of the face frame at the top and bottom, leaving 1¼" of the
face frame exposed.
Arch
A custom cabinet door style with an arched top on the wall and door cabinet.
Bead Board
A custom cabinet recessed panel door with vertical grooves, providing a decorative
appearance and feel of "Cottage" style architecture.
Beaded Door
A custom cabinet flat panel cabinet door design that incorporates vertical beaded
texture on the recessed panel area of the door. The wood door frame is more simple
and constructed with cane and stick joinery.
Cathedral
A custom cabinet door style with a uniquely curved top, similar to church windows on
the wall cabinet doors.
Cherry
Cherry is an elegant, multi-colored hardwood, which may contain small knots and pin
holes. Natural or light stains accent these color variations making a distinctive
statement in a full kitchen. Cherry wood will darken or “mellow” with age. This mellowing
is a natural occurrence and the benefit of owning a solid cherry kitchen.
Concealed Hinge
A cabinet build were the hinge is attached to the inside edge of the face frame and to
the back of the door. This type of cabinet construction hides the hinge from outside of
the cabinet.
Distressing
A custom cabinet technique where small indentions, notches, scuffs, etc., are made in
the wood to produce an aged look.
Dovetail
A construction method used to reinforce the joining of two perpendicular parts. Wooden
cabinet drawer boxes are commonly dovetailed.
Drawer Bottom
The inside bottom piece of cabinet drawers.
Drawer Front
The wood or thermofoil face of the drawer that coordinates with the door style.
Drawer Guides
The hardware installed on drawers that supports the gliding motion of the drawer. The
specific drawer guide used varies depending the drawer construction selected.
End Panel
The wood panel on the outside (left or right side) of a base cabinet. Also referred to as
ends, sides and side panels. This is the outside vertical cabinet member, supporting
horizontal parts.
Filler
A piece used to fill any gaps in cabinetry design that is not filled by cabinets to make
the design fit the room precisely.
Flat Panel
A recessed center panel to a door or drawer design conveying Transitional, Shaker, or
Arts and Crafts styling.
Framed Cabinets
The traditional custom cabinet framed has a front frame around the cabinet opening to
which the door is attached. These are the most popular type of cabinets in the U.S. and
are easier to install than frame less cabinetry because of their recessed end panels
and rigid front frame. Framed cabinets are available in Traditional and Full Overlay
styling which are explained below. Framed construction utilizes glue, staple and dowel
or screw construction.
Frame less Cabinets
Frame less, or European-style cabinets, have no front frame. The doors are attached
directly to the sides of the cabinet. Frame less cabinets, which are more contemporary
in style, offer the advantage of completely unobstructed access to the cabinet interior
because there is no front frame. Frame less construction utilizes pin and dowel
construction.
Full Extension Drawer Guide
Custom cabinet drawer glides that allow the drawer to be completely extended to the
back of the drawer. Full extension drawers provide complete access to the dept of the
drawer box when opening the cabinet drawer.