Everything You Need to Know About Inset Cabinetry

Inset cabinetry is a style of cabinetry where the door of the cabinet is set into the face frame instead of being laid in front of the frame. This is a very beautiful and classic looking cabinet that is now also lending itself to a transitional look to be used in many types of kitchens. From modern kitchens to traditional kitchens, inset cabinets can be used in many different types of styles. This type of cabinetry was inspired by the work of skilled craftsman of the Georgian and Victorian periods. Inset cabinets are making a strong comeback in popularity among kitchen designers and the public alike.

Builders Cabinet is pleased to introduce a new line of cabinetry into its mix of a full assortment of frameless cabinetry. We are now making a full line of inset cabinetry that uses a 3/4 inch plywood box constructed with a 3/4” face frame. All of our stains and paint colors are available in this new inset line as well as most of the door styles that we carry.

A few things to think about when deciding if an inset cabinet is right for you. First, it is critical that your installer installs them properly. Because the door sits in the frame, the cabinetry is manufactured with tight tolerances, usually 1/8” and there is very little room for the door or drawer front to sit in if the cabinets are not installed properly square.

Another item to be aware is that throughout the year, the doors may have to be adjusted if your house does not have the proper humidity levels. In order to maintain proper humidity levels, they should be in the range of 60%. Wood tends to swell in the high humid months of summer and also contract in winter. Another thing to consider is that if you have large dinner plates, be sure to have your cabinet manufacturer make your wall cabinets at 13” deep as most inset cabinets tend to lose some important storage space because of where the frame sits on the cabinet box front.

Some of the benefits of inset cabinetry is that they offer a very clean look instead of the full overlay cabinets. The face frames can be designed with either a beaded or non-beaded frame giving the look even more detail. When this works in conjunction with the type of door style that you choose, this look can be very satisfying and help make your kitchen stand out from the rest.

So why doesn’t everyone do inset cabinets if they are so fantastic you may ask. Cost for one. Most manufacturers charge a premium when constructing inset cabinets. This can range anywhere from 15-25% over the cost of a standard full overlay kitchen cabinet. Another is lead times. While it is true that a cabinet is a cabinet, but an inset cabinet requires a higher degree of craftsmanship and usually the lead times may run a bit longer than the standard lead times that are offered. We at Builders Cabinet are proud of the new line of inset cabinets that we manufacture and encourage you to stop by and see for yourself.

Visit our showrooms if you’re looking for inset kitchen cabinets in the Chicago area. If you have any questions about our products please email us at info@buildmykitchen.com or call us at (312) 829-4300. We would love to hear from you!