Question: My wife and I are looking at getting new kitchen cabinets and I don’t understand the difference between cabinets that have a frame and cabinets that don’t – can you please explain?
Answer: The front of any cabinet can be constructed in one of two manners.
In one instance a face-frame is constructed. The face-frame serves to hide and finish the edges of the panels that make up the sides and bottom of the cabinet. It provides strength and prevents the cabinets from twisting out of shape.
The second method of cabinet construction is called faceless or Euro style, because the style was brought over from Europe. With this method the edges of the sides and bottom are visible and finished with a thin veneer, usually the same material that is used for the face of the side and bottom panels.
Additional information on face frame and frameless cabinets.