How do I know if I have framed or frameless cabinets?

To determine whether the kitchen cabinets in your home are framed or frameless, you can focus on their structural features. Clues can also be found in the way the cabinet doors are connected and their design style—you can make the distinction with just a few simple checks.

After all, there is a significant difference in the manufacturing process between framed and frameless cabinets, so even non-professionals can tell them apart. If your kitchen cabinets are already installed but you are unsure whether they are framed or frameless, you can follow the steps below to check.

What is the Essential Difference Between the Two?

• Framed cabinets: A narrow solid wood frame is attached to the front of the cabinet body. This frame forms a border around the door opening and serves to support the hinges.
• Frameless cabinets: There is no internal frame, and the cabinet doors are directly connected to the side of the cabinet body via hinges (also known as "European-style cabinets").

1. Check for a Frame Inside the Cabinet

This is the most direct and quickest method. Simply stand in front of the cabinet, open it, and observe the edge of the cabinet's front face—specifically the area where the hinges are attached. For framed cabinets, you can see a solid wood frame surrounding the opening, and the hinges are connected to this frame. For frameless cabinets, no frame is visible when the cabinet is opened; only a smooth edge of the cabinet body can be seen.

2. Check the Hinge Position

• Framed cabinets: Hinges are mounted on the wooden frame. The hinges are usually clearly visible when the door is open and will wrap around the edge of the frame.
• Frameless cabinets: Hinges are directly mounted on the side of the cabinet body. These hinges are mostly European-style concealed hinges, hidden inside the cabinet. Only a small section of the hinge arm is visible when the door is open.

3. Observe the Cabinet Doors

• Framed cabinets: They usually use partial-overlay or inset doors, with relatively large gaps between adjacent doors.
• Frameless cabinets: Almost all use full-overlay doors, meaning the doors cover the entire front area of the cabinet body, including the cabinet sides. Only a few millimeters of gap are left between adjacent doors or drawers.

Summary

The core difference between framed and frameless cabinets lies in whether there is a solid wood frame on the front of the cabinet body. This structural difference further determines the obvious variations in their hinge positions and door overlay methods. By following the three simple steps—checking for the frame, inspecting the hinges, and observing the cabinet doors—you can easily tell whether your cabinets are framed or frameless.