Guides

Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets

Construction type affects how a cabinet looks, how it opens, and even which hinges it can use. Every cabinet is built one of two ways: framed or frameless.

What framed construction is

A framed cabinet has a solid wood face frame built onto the front of the box, which adds rigidity and lets it use any door style, including inset doors. Framed construction is the traditional North American standard and tends to cost less than an equivalent frameless box.

What frameless construction is

A frameless cabinet skips the face frame entirely, so doors attach directly to the box with concealed hinges. The full opening is usable and the exterior reads as a continuous, flatter surface — standard in most modern kitchen designs.

How much extra space does frameless give you?

A face frame typically covers 1" to 1.5" of the box opening per side, since drawers need to clear it. Frameless skips that, so the usable opening is roughly that much wider on the same size box — it adds up across a full run of base cabinets.

How to tell them apart in a photo

Look at the reveal — the gap between adjacent doors. Framed cabinets usually show 1/2" to 1" of visible frame between doors. Frameless cabinets sit much closer together, typically a 1/8" reveal, reading as one continuous surface.

Door style is a separate decision

Shaker, slab, and raised-panel doors all work on frameless boxes; the one exception is a true inset door, which needs a face frame. Construction type does decide your hinge options though — frameless requires cup-style concealed hinges. Once you know which construction you want, you can filter BeeBoard by framed or frameless construction alongside door style.

Frequently asked questions

Is frameless less durable than framed?
Not inherently — frameless relies on thicker side panels for rigidity instead of a frame. Material and construction quality matter more than framed versus frameless.

Can I mix framed and frameless in the same kitchen?
Technically yes, but it's uncommon and hard to make look intentional, since reveal gaps and door alignment differ between the two.

Which one is easier to repair or replace a door on?
Framed is generally more forgiving, since a mismatched replacement is less noticeable against a visible frame. Frameless's tight reveals make mismatches more obvious.