Republic Elite proudly manufactures framed & frameless cabinets for multifamily interiors in our three factories in Marshall, Texas, Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Northern California.
Framed
As the name suggests, framed cabinets are cabinets with a face frame that covers the front of the cabinet box. The doors of framed cabinetry attach to the face frame itself, allowing for more stability for the box, creating a strong, sturdy cabinet. It is most known as American style or “traditional” cabinetry.
Frameless
A more contemporary cabinet design, frameless cabinets are the European way of manufacturing cabinets that has become increasing popular in the American kitchen. The concept is simple – the face frame is eliminated and just the box remains. The doors are attached directly to the sides of the cabinet box for a clean, modern look. Without the frame, frameless cabinets rely on a thicker box for strength and stability. Since the doors can only be mounted to the sides of the box and cover the entire cavity, only full-overlay doors can be used. The cabinets and drawers are larger than framed cabinetry to increase square foot storage. Frameless cabinets are typically called “full access” because they allow more accessibility by eliminating not only the frame but the center stiles between two cabinet doors as well. Reveals are 3/16” on sides and 1/2” on top and bottom for framed cabinets, while frameless have a 1/16” reveal on cabinet sides and 1/8” on top and bottom.
Are Frameless Cabinets Less Sturdy?
While our frameless cabinets are constructed with the same quality practices, the face frame on framed cabinets function as reinforcement, making them the sturdier option of the two.
Do Frameless Cabinets Provide More Storage?
Since frameless cabinets do not have a face frame, frameless cabinets have three-fourths inch more interior space in width and height.
Advantages of Framed Cabinetry
Strength and sturdiness
The solid wood face frame on framed cabinets serve to reinforce the sidewalls to which they are anchored – an advantage that is missing from frameless cabinets.
Door style options
Republic Elite offers a vast selection of different door styles for framed cabinetry.
Advantages of Frameless Cabinetry
More accessibility
Since there is not an inside edge of a frame projecting into the cabinet opening. This allows easier access to the cabinet interior as well as larger opening to store plates, platers, and cookware.
More storage space
Since there is no face frame to create a lip around the cabinet openings, it is much easier to store appliances such as mixers, blenders, or juicers in frameless cabinets.
Additional flexibility in design and styling
Frameless cabinets can be used in a traditional design as well as a modern design.
Larger spacious drawers
The space saved by not having a face frame attached to the front.
What is the difference between framed and frameless cabinets?
The key difference between framed and frameless cabinetry is how they are constructed. The face frame is constructed of horizontal members called rails, and vertical supports called stiles. The combination of wood grain directions in the face frame helps to reinforce the horizontal strength of the cabinet at the front opening. Weigh the options and make the right decision for your preference and space needs. The only difference between framed and frameless cabinets is the box construction. The structural quality and durability between the two types of construction is equal, you simply have two quite different construction methods that offer two different distinct looks.
