Kitchen Cabinet Door Style Options Compared
Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Your kitchen cabinets and not only a major functional element of your kitchen, but they are also a focal point and can set the style for the entire room. And, if you live in an open concept home, the style of your entire living space.
It's always a good idea to educate yourself on your options. When it comes to your kitchen cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and side panels, you have several options in terms of style, materials used, and cost.
Your kitchen cabinet door and drawer fronts are a critical element in the aesthetic design of your new kitchen. Cabinets provide a strong visual element, and also one of the most expensive items in the kitchen. Styles range from traditional to contemporary, and there's a style available to meet every taste, design, and budget.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Types
When your contractor or designer is talking about door types, they're not talking about style. Though cabinet doors and drawers are essential in defining the style of your kitchen, design contractors are equally concerned with how they are constructed, classified, and described by the manufacturer.
Basically, there are four options and three different types of cabinet doors. Kitchen cabinets can be modified to be open (doorless) as a way to integrate open shelving into your kitchen cabinets. In terms of doors, there are three different types: partial overlay, full overlay, and inset.
Partial Overlay Cabinetry
Also known as "standard overlay," this type of door was the industry standard for many years and looks like it sounds. It's typically used on framed cabinets, and the door partially covers the cabinet frame leaving a large gap. The design exposes 1 to 2-inches of the cabinet face frame between the units.
Because the drawer and door faces are smaller and use less material than a full overlay, this style can slightly cut manufacturing costs. Partial overlay styles are often used in entry-level homes.
Full Overlay Cabinetry
Full overlay doors offer a sleek, modern look. The doors and drawer fronts practically cover the cabinet face, with a 1/4” to 1/2” reveal of the frame between cabinet units. This smooth profile is an excellent look for transitional, modern, and contemporary style kitchens.
Full overlay doors affect the cost of manufacturing since the larger door and drawer fronts use more material.
Inset Cabinetry
Inset cabinetry (also called European style doors) is dramatically different than overlay types. The door and drawer fronts sit within the cabinet face frame openings, flush with the frame. The inset door is typically found in Shaker, Craftsman, and Mission styles were the first type of cabinet door and have been around literally for centuries.
Because it takes precision and craftsmanship to fit the door or drawer inside the face frame, inset doors use different hardware than overlay styles. Doorstops are required inside the cabinet box because the door does not rest or stop on the face frame when closed. For these reasons, inset door styles are typically more expensive than overlay styles.
Popular Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles
Here are eight popular door style choices to meet your home's design needs and budget.
Shaker Door Style
Today, the Shaker-style door is one of the most common choices of both homeowners and designers. Shaker doors are composed of five pieces, a 4-piece frame, and a single flat center panel. It gets its name from the characteristic Shaker furniture style, which is known for simple, clean lines and focuses on utility.
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Because of their simple style, Shaker doors will fit into almost any kitchen design – from traditional to contemporary. With a wide range of choices and variations in wood species, stains, paints, colors, and hardware, you have many options available to match your design.
Shaker doors can work with a variety of budgets, depending on the wood choice and finish. Some companies offer the option of replacing the center panel with a more cost-effective material, and using a natural finish rather than painting can save you up to 20% on your purchase
Louvered Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Wood slats are typically used on windows, interior doors, and furniture pieces. When added to kitchen cabinets, they create a distinct architectural style. While they look great, be aware that they are not cheap.
Most louvered kitchen cabinet doors have a small space between the slats, making them perfect for cabinets that need ventilation, like a cabinet near a radiator, or the cooktop.
Flat Cabinet Doors
Flat-panel doors are simple, stylish, and void of any expensive details. It's hard straight lines, and minimalist form make it the perfect choice if your style leads toward contemporary or modern kitchen styles. Many flat panel doors are available in a variety of colorful laminates, or natural woods. Laminate finishes tend to be more budget-friendly and offer a greater variety of colors and sheens.
Inset Style Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Inset style doors provide homeowners with a classic look that can last for generations. It tends to be one of the most expensive door styles on the market because it requires precision craftsmanship to construct, and it also needs particular hinges, which are often not included in the cabinet price, so make sure you budget correctly.
Distressed Doors
If you love the look of an antique-style kitchen, distressed doors are for you! Most manufacturers offer “distressing” as an option. Basically, they will use distressing techniques like rubbing off the corners, beating the doors with chains, and other methods to give it an age-old look and feel. However, it will cost you an extra 15 to 20 percent to have a skilled tradesman destroy your brand new doors!
Beadboard Cabinet Doors
If you're looking for classic cottage style in the kitchen, it doesn't get any more cottage chic than beadboard. The center panel in this style seems like traditional beadboard paneling. Beadboard was used as a decorative wall covering before plaster, drywall, and paint became popular.
White beadboard cabinetry can give your kitchen a clean, bright feel. However, the little cracks and crevices on the style of door can be challenging to keep clean.
Thermofoil Doors
This door style is made from MDF (medium-density fiberboard) wrapped in a plastic coating and then baked under high heat to create an impenetrable seal. Thermofoil doors are durable, come only in solid colors and imitation wood grain, and are cost-effective if you're on a tight budget.
Thermofoil is durable, but if it does become damaged, it's challenging to repair. Also, some of the lighter colors can yellow if exposed to direct sunlight and heat over time.
Custom Cabinet Door
If you can't find a door style that appeals to you, or if you have the budget, custom-designed cabinet doors are always an option. If you're looking for a unique look, speak to your designer or design-build contractor to help you create the perfect personalized look for your kitchen!
Your Kitchen cabinets are a significant element in any kitchen design. Choosing the right door style is an important decision when remodeling. With so many styles, materials and finishes available, you're sure to find the perfect look for your new kitchen.
If you live in the greater Tuscaloosa, Alabama area, give the experts at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath a call at (205) 366-0807. We've been helping homeowners in Alabama make their new kitchens reflect their style and taste for years. We're familiar with the latest design styles and technology and are ready to help you choose the perfect cabinets.
