Installing new cabinets in your home is a great way to update the style of your house as well as increase its value. Updated cabinetry adds charm and functionality to virtually any room in the house, from the bathroom to the kitchen.  As noted in last month’s newsletter, cabinets come in a multitude of woods, finishes, styles and levels of customization. Another variation available to homeowners is the method for attaching the doors to the face of the cabinet.  Cabinet doors can be mounted to the cabinet face in different ways to provide various looks. The three most popular styles are Inset, Full Overlay and Partial Overlay doors. Each of these designs offers unique benefits. 

Inset Doors are set into the cabinet frame and fit flush with the face of the cabinet when closed. This types of cabinet door provides the entire cabinet with a very smooth, sleek look.

As the door is flat with the rest of the cabinet, a door pull or knob is needed to open the cabinet. Hinges can be either hidden or exposed on this type of door. 

These cabinets have the smallest opening of the three door styles, and are usually the most expensive, but provide a look that is unique and timeless.  It is also important to note that the expansion and contraction of wood due to humidity can cause rubbing between the door and the frame.

Full Overlay Doors do not sit in the cabinet frame like inset doors, but they entirely cover the cabinet face at a uniform level, making a flat cabinet front, similar to inset doors.  This type of cabinet door offers the largest opening into the cabinets, making easy access to stored items, like pots and pans. Full overlay cabinets have less than 1/8th of an inch between doors and need a door pull or knob to open. Full overlay cabinet doors are a great option for the homeowner who wants cabinets with a sleek look, but doesn’t want the higher cost associated with inset doors.