Going European: Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

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Frameless or European cabinets are one of two primary types of kitchen cabinets. The most noticeable characteristic of frameless cabinetry is the apparent lack of a gap (about 1/8") between cabinet doors. Homeowners in favor of a seamless cabinetry look are good candidates for the European style.

Frameless vs. Face-Framed Cabinets

While the gapless appearance is the most visual indicator, the substantial difference between frameless cabinets and their rival, face-framed, is in the framing itself. European cabinets are each framed separately. So if you have four 30" upper cabinets in a row, your cabinet installer will mount four individual cabinet boxes. Contrarily, four similar face-frame cabinets (historically more common this side of the Atlantic) would be part of the same 120" cabinet box with a face framed over the interior components (called stiles and rails). That face frame is typically 2 1/2" wide, which leads to a relatively large gap between face-framed cabinets, a design in stark opposition to frameless versions.

For European cabinets, cabinet boxes are mounted onto the wall, each succeeding box fastened to its predecessor to form a tight and seamless (if largely hidden) frame. Frameless cabinets also come with concealed hinges specially designed for just such an application. On face-frame cabinets, the hinges have traditionally been exposed and rather ornate, although hybrid cabinet types now exist (essentially face-framed cabinets with concealed hinges).

Frameless Kitchen Cabinets