Are you overwhelmed by the endless terminology when it comes to kitchen cabinets? Don’t worry – we’re here to help! You can learn the essential terms and acronyms quickly with this guide, so that you can make an informed decision when choosing your kitchen cabinets. Let’s get started!
Base Cabinet
Base Cabinets are used to provide a level surface for mounting sinks, dishwashers, countertops and other kitchen appliances. These cabinets are available in numerous sizes and styles, so you can choose the one that best suits your kitchen’s layout and design.
In terms of construction, base cabinets typically consist of three parts: the toe kick board (attached to the underside of the cabinet door), the cabinet box (which houses shelves and drawers inside), and the base frame (which attaches the cabinet door to the rest of the frame). Common materials used for these components include wood, particleboard, plywood and MDF (medium-density fiberboard). All base cabinets should include adjustable legs that can be adjusted to level out any uneven surfaces or flooring.
When it comes to installation, it’s important that all parts of the cabinet box be securely attached. During installation time this includes tasks such as:
- Screwing in drawer slides into both sides of each drawer box.
- Inserting shelves into appropriate slots within each cabinet frame.
- Attaching corner supports when needed for extra stability.
- Cutting an appropriate size hole for plumbing or electrical needs if necessary.
Wall Cabinet
Wall cabinets are designed to be hung on the wall, usually above countertop height. These cabinets are a great choice if you want to maximize storage in a small kitchen that doesn’t have a lot of wall space. Most wall cabinets come in 12-inch, 15-inch, and 18-inch depths each with unique widths. Standard heights for wall cabinets include 12-, 15-, 18-, 30-, 36-, 42-, and 48 inches. You can also get custom heights for an exact fit in your kitchen.
Wall cabinets feature vertical edges that extend down from the top of the cabinet to create framed panel doors, or may consist of flat slab doors with no frame. The design you choose will ultimately depend on your personal taste and budget.
Most wall cabinets have adjustable shelves, which means you can change the height at which the shelf is placed inside the cabinet according to your needs. This will help ensure everything is safe and tucked away neatly while still being easily accessible when needed in your kitchen workspace.
Tall Cabinet
Tall cabinets are often used in the corner of a kitchen or to create separation behind counters. They come in various sizes and designs and typically feature multiple shelves for maximum storage.
Tall cabinet dimensions are 84”, 90” and 96” height, 12” deep, and can range from 9 ½” up to 42” wide. The most common sizes are:
- 36″ wide
- 42″ wide (which is only accessible by using a ladder)
- Upper cabinets that are 12″, 15″, or 18″ deep by 30″, 36″ or 42″ wide.
Sink Base Cabinet
Sink base cabinets are one of the most common types of kitchen cabinets, designed specifically to store sink plumbing as well as offer extra counter or storage space. The sink cabinet typically sits in a corner or along a wall and usually has a false drawer front. They may also include drawers and door fronts for additional storage and easy accessibility.
Common sink base cabinets’ dimensions are 24″ wide, 34½” high, and 24″ deep, though they can vary slightly depending on the size of the desired sink. Depending on the style, they may feature adjustable feet or come pre-assembled.
Drawer Base Cabinet
A drawer base cabinet is a type of kitchen cabinet that consists of drawers, rather than doors. It has four sides, an upper shelf, and a bottom rail that is constructed to create a box. This type of cabinet can be used for storage or to hold countertop items such as a microwave oven.
Drawer base cabinets typically come in traditional or frameless styles and feature several types of drawers, such as:
- Full-extension drawers
- Shallow drawers
- Deep drawers
- Double-tiered drawers with adjustable shelves inside for more storage options.
Corner Cabinet
Corner cabinets are one of the most popular kitchen cabinet configurations. They are commonly used to maximize storage space in a room with two adjacent walls and can feature either a face frame or frameless construction.
A typical corner cabinet has two shelves that are angled so one shelf forms the corner—or two if the cabinet is ‘L’ or T-shaped.
These cabinets come in a variety of sizes and styles, including standard 24” wide base cabinets and larger, corner pantries. There are plenty of storage options available, such as:
- Pull-out trays or lazy susans make it easier to access items stored in the back corners of these cabinets.
- Drawers, spice racks and built-in containers for smaller items like utensils.
Full Overlay
Full overlay cabinetry is a style of cabinet design that reduces the visible frame around the door, giving the cabinets a streamlined look. This is accomplished by making heavy use of hinges and attaching drawer fronts directly to the sides and back. As a result, the doors completely cover all of the exposed cabinet frames, especially when multiple doors are placed next to each other.
This type of design offers almost seamless transitions between the various elements in a kitchen while providing ample storage space with clever organization designs. The lack of an exposed frame also helps create an overall look that is both smooth and modern in appearance.
Partial Overlay
Partial Overlay cabinets are commonly used in kitchens because they offer a traditional, yet modern look with a simple, yet functional design. Partial Overlay cabinets feature doors that overlap the front of the cabinet slightly, offering decorative hardware options and allowing for limited access without having to open them.
Full Overlay cabinets create an even square-edged look that is both contemporary and stylish, eliminating any gaps between doors or frames. Partial Overlay doors generally have a more visible frame than a full overlay, but can still provide a high level of craftsmanship and charm to your kitchen.
If you’re looking to update your kitchen cabinets, you may want to consider reaching out to a local kitchen cabinet provider. They can help you decide which type of cabinet overlay would work best for your kitchen’s design and functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a carcass?
Carcass is a term used to describe the box structure of a cabinet, typically made of particle board, plywood, or medium-density fiberboard.
What is a rail?
A rail is a horizontal piece that connects the sides of a cabinet together and provides support for the drawers and shelves.
What is a stile?
A stile is the vertical piece of a cabinet frame that provides stability and connects the rails to the shelves.
Conclusion
Kitchen cabinets are essential components of any kitchen, providing important storage and organization to help you create a tidy, attractive space. However, they also come with their own set of jargon and terminology that can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for. From terms related to materials and finishes to construction styles like overlay and inset, the following is a comprehensive list of the most common kitchen cabinet terminology.
- Materials: Most commonly, cabinets are made from wood such as plywood, particle board, or solid wood; however, other materials such as metal can also be used in some cases.
- Finishes: Cabinets can come in a variety of colors and finishes such as stains (solid colors), paints (opaque colors), or glazes (items that have been treated for extra sheen).
- Cabinet Styles: From shaker style to flat paneled doors and raised paneled doors—choosing the right type of cabinets depends largely on personal preference but should also take into account factors such as available space in the room. It’s important to consider how each style will affect both function and aesthetics before making a final decision.
- Construction Types: Different cabinet door styles may be mounted in different ways; overlay being the most common method. Inset is an alternative option that is becoming more popular but requires special hinges designed specifically for this purpose because it requires the doors to recess into the face frame when closed. Full-access construction is another variation that typically utilizes concealed hinges designed specifically for full-access cabinetry to provide easier access within these cabinets than traditional methods would allow.
