Everything you Need to Know about Kitchen Cabinets

Framed cabinets have a frame around the front of the cabinet box made of the same material as the drawers and doors. The frame stabilizes the box. Here, the hinges are visible and are attached directly to the frame.

Frameless (or European-style) cabinets have no frame around the cabinet box; the doors and drawers cover the box's edges. The side panels of the cabinet box are thicker to provide stability. The hinges are attached directly to the side panels, which offer greater storage space.

The sides of the cabinet are usually between ½" and ¾" thick. They are generally unfinished and are typically made of one of the following materials:

They support and ensure the rigidity of the whole cabinet. A back panel made of ½" plywood will prevent the cabinet from warping over time. However, a back panel of just ¼" thick is sufficient for a base cabinet, since it is not used to hold the cabinet to the wall.

There are two types of cabinet doors – those made from a single piece of material, and those built from a frame and an inner panel. The latter comprises a wood frame with a central panel made either of wood or of MDF covered with the chosen finish.

Even though they have a more distinguished style, wooden doors may bend or warp over the years due to humidity. However, the surface will not peel and its colour will not fade.

Cabinets panels are grouped under 6 main categories:

It is important to consider how they are constructed and their durability. First, it is important to know that the sides of solid wood drawers are 5/8" to ¾" thick. Drawers made from particleboard are only ½" thick and are more susceptible to warping, so they may not be the best long-term choice. For drawer bottoms, ¼" plywood is the best option.

Though wood drawers are the most popular option, some manufacturers make models with metal sides that are well suited to frameless cabinets.

Mortise and tenon joint

The mortise is a square hole made in one part and the tenon is the protruding peg on the other part that fits into the mortise. For an extra-sturdy structure, the tenon may pass all the way through the mortise, although the finished look may be less aesthetically pleasing.

Dovetail joint

Strong, high-quality joinery technique with superior resistance. Trapezoidal-shaped tenons are slotted into corresponding notches of the same shape on the adjoining part.

Dowelled joint

This technique uses round wood dowels (pegs) fitted into holes. Dowels can also be used to strengthen a mortise and tenon-typed joint.

Biscuit joint

These joints are made by slotting a piece of wood called a biscuit, into slots on the adjoining parts. The glue's humidity makes the biscuit swell and stay wedged in place, creating a strong bond. This quick and straightforward technique is increasingly used in cabinet joinery.

Tongue and groove joint

For this joint, a channel or groove is cut along the length of one piece and the projecting edge or tongue on the adjoining piece slots into it.

Frame and panel joint (rail and stile)

Similar to tongue and groove, frame and panel joinery consists in machining two parts into shapes (stiles and rails) that fit together. Since there is a large surface area for gluing, this type of joint is very strong.

Shelves are available in fixed or pull-out versions, and are typically made of plywood, MDF or particleboard covered with a layer of another material such as wood veneer or laminate. Shelf thickness can vary from one manufacturer to another, or depending on the customer's requirements, but the standard measurements are ½", 5/8" and ¾".

The thicker the shelf, the less likely it is to buckle under weight. Nevertheless, if the shelf is going to be used to hold heavy items such as cans and preserves, it's important that the sides of the cabinet be thick enough to support the load.

The toe kick is a recessed area for feet, allowing you to stand closer to the countertop when preparing meals. It is generally 3" deep and 3 ½" high, though it can be made up to 10" high for wheelchair users.

Elements such as a central vacuum inlet or even additional drawers can be built into the toe kick. Decorative feet can also be added at the end of a line of cabinets to enhance the appearance.

Decorative mouldings, as well as corbels, mosaics or columns enhance the look of cabinets, according to the desired style. This finishing touch can completely transform your kitchen.

Drawer and cabinet pulls, knobs and pendants unify and enhance the overall look of the kitchen.

Many types of cabinet hinges exist and your choice will largely be determined by the type of cabinet you have. Some hinges are fitted with soft-close mechanisms, which are practical for families with children.

Some slides offer full extension, meaning that the drawer can be pulled out fully for easier access. Some slides are fitted with a handy soft-close mechanism, which allows the drawer to be closed smoothly and gently.

Drawer slides can support loads of up to 75-100 lbs. Choose slides that can support more weight if the drawer will be used to hold pots and pans or small appliances.