faceframe

Face frame, also known as face-frame cabinet construction, is a traditional method in which a rigid front frame is attached to the cabinet box. The frame is built from vertical stiles and horizontal rails that together create the opening for doors and drawer fronts. Frames are typically made from solid wood or plywood and are commonly about 3/4 inch (18–19 mm) thick. The box behind the frame is usually a plywood or particleboard carcass with a back panel.

The face frame provides structural strength and a mounting surface for hinges and drawer slides. It helps with door alignment and can simplify installation and adjustment because doors are hung on the frame rather than directly on the box sides. The frame also hides rough edges and imperfect box joints, contributing to a finished appearance.

Door configurations associated with face-frame cabinets include full overlay, partial overlay, and inset doors. Full overlay doors cover most of the frame; partial overlay doors reveal more of the frame; inset doors sit within the opening and sit flush with the frame. These options determine how much of the frame is visible and affect overall aesthetics and hinge placement.

Construction and materials vary, but common methods use mortise-and-tenon or dowel joints to connect rails to stiles, with the frame then screwed or doweled to the cabinet box. Materials range from hardwoods such as oak or maple to plywood with a wood veneer. Face-frame cabinets are widespread in North America and remain common in traditional or transitional kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, often coexisting with frameless designs.