Building Face Frame Kitchen Cabinets: My Personal Experience

Building Face Frame Kitchen Cabinets: My Personal Experience

As someone who loves woodworking, I decided to take on the project of building my own kitchen cabinets. I researched different styles and techniques and ultimately settled on building face frame cabinets. Here’s what I learned:

What Are Face Frame Kitchen Cabinets?

Face frame cabinets are a traditional style of cabinetry where a frame is attached to the front of the cabinet box. This frame provides extra stability and support for the cabinet doors and drawers. The frame is usually made from hardwood and is attached to the cabinet box using pocket screws.

Why Choose Face Frame Cabinets?

There are a few reasons why someone might choose to build face frame cabinets:

• Traditional and classic look
• Extra stability and support for doors and drawers
• Easy to build and customize

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a basic guide for building face frame cabinets:

1. Measure your space and determine the size of your cabinets.
2. Cut your cabinet box pieces from plywood or another sheet material.
3. Cut your face frame pieces from hardwood.
4. Attach the face frame to the cabinet box using pocket screws.
5. Add shelves, drawers, and doors as desired.
6. Finish your cabinets with paint or stain.

Top 10 Tips and Ideas

If you’re planning on building face frame cabinets, here are a few tips and ideas to keep in mind:

1. Use a pocket hole jig to make attaching the face frame to the cabinet box easier.
2. Consider adding glass doors to some of your cabinets to showcase items.
3. Use a router to create decorative edges on your face frame pieces.
4. Install soft-close hinges and drawer slides for a high-end feel.
5. Use a contrasting color or wood species for your face frame to make your cabinets stand out.
6. Consider adding crown molding to the top of your cabinets for a finished look.
7. Build custom pull-out shelves or drawers for added convenience.
8. Add under-cabinet lighting to highlight your countertops and backsplash.
9. Use a durable finish like polyurethane to protect your cabinets from daily wear and tear.
10. Consider building a custom range hood to match your cabinets.

Pros and Cons

Like any building project, there are pros and cons to building face frame cabinets:

Pros

• Traditional and classic look
• Extra stability and support for doors and drawers
• Easy to build and customize
• Can be less expensive than frameless cabinets

Cons

• May not be as space-efficient as frameless cabinets
• Face frame can make it harder to access items in the back of the cabinet
• May not be as modern or trendy as frameless cabinets

My Personal Review and Suggestion

Overall, I was very happy with my decision to build face frame cabinets. They were easy to build and customize, and they have a classic look that I love. The added stability of the face frame is also a plus. However, I did find that accessing items in the back of the cabinet was a bit more difficult than with frameless cabinets.

If you’re considering building your own kitchen cabinets, I would definitely recommend giving face frame cabinets a try. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons and choose the style that works best for your space and needs.

Question & Answer / FAQs

Q: How long does it take to build face frame kitchen cabinets?

A: The time it takes to build face frame cabinets will depend on the size and complexity of your project, as well as your skill level. It could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Q: How much does it cost to build face frame kitchen cabinets?

A: Again, the cost of building face frame cabinets will depend on the size and complexity of your project, as well as the materials you choose. However, it is generally less expensive than building frameless cabinets.

Q: Do I need any special tools to build face frame kitchen cabinets?

A: While you don’t necessarily need any special tools, a pocket hole jig and a router will make the process easier and more efficient.