|
In our shop, Jason builds custom Full-Access cabinetry, as opposed to Face-Frame cabinetry. We really believe that it is a superior product. However, you can get beautiful cabinets either way.
Because the frameless look is so popular, many face frame cabinets can mock the look of Full-Access cabinetry by making the door and draw fronts overlay the face frame completely. However, if you want the frameless look, you'll get more benefits from having true Full-Access cabinetry.
As far as quality goes, it all depends on the builder. High-quality full-access cabinetry is equal to high quality face-frame cabinetry. But there's an ugly side to both styles, too.
The quality of your cabinetry has very little to do with the style and everything to do with construction. You get what you pay for.
The highest end of either style should include:
- 3/4" thermally fused melamine box construction
- Solid wood door and drawer fronts
- Crown molding
- Decorative light rail (usually only on full-access)
- Premium under-mount drawer slides with full extension
- Premium door hardware with 3-way adjustment
Some things to watch out for are:
- Thin box construction
- Inferior hardware
- Solid wood door and drawer frames with plywood veneer panels
- If it feels too light, it won't hold up
The Good Side of Face-Frame Cabinetry
Skilled face-frame cabinetmakers are easier to find in the US. More start-up cabinetmakers use this method because:
Start-up costs are less; high quality face-frame cabinetry can be made with standard woodshop equipment
- Less precision is required for a beautiful look
- It's more traditional and familiar to the US
- Ability to achieve a wide range of looks; from ultra -contemporary to traditional and everything in between
The Ugly Side of Face-Frame Cabinetry
- Many cabinetmakers use the thick face-frames to conceal the use of lightweight box construction
- 15%-20% loss of storage due to the face-frames narrowing the space
- Less adjustability during installation makes it difficult to account for variations in floors and walls
The Good Side of Full-Access Cabinetry (Using 32mm Boring Pattern)
- 15%-20% more available storage than face-frame cabinets in the same amount of cabinet space
- No center style to impede access
- Uses leg levelers and hanging rails during installation, making it easy to level cabinets even on irregular floors and walls
- Ability to achieve a wide range of looks; from ultra -contemporary to traditional and everything in between
The Ugly Side of Full Access Cabinetry
- Requires a highly skilled and trained cabinetmaker, due to tight tolerances (which can be difficult to find)
- Stock and semi-custom (the kind usually found at Menards, Home Depot, etc) is usually a poor quality with inferior hardware and thin boxes
Overall, it's buyer beware. Take a close look at your cabinetmaker's showroom. Open and close all of the doors and drawers. Try to shake the cabinets around to check for sturdiness. Ask about his construction methods and materials. Ask for customer references. Any quality cabinetmaker will welcome you to test his product.
|