KitchenCabinetsReviews Blog

There are five popular types of kitchen cabinet door styles: full overlay, inset, lipped, partial overlay and tambour. Full overlay doors are very popular because they cover most of the cabinet frame and the hinges are concealed. Full overlay doors are usually found on frameless cabinets, but they can be found on framed cabinets as well. Inset doors are tightly fitted between the front edges of the cabinet box and are designed to sit between the rails and stiles of the cabinet frame. Most inset doors are found on framed cabinets. Lipped doors are similar to inset doors. Part of the door stile sits within the cabinet frame. There is a groove along the back edge that is made to fit over the face frame. The groove allows part of the door to rest in the cabinet and leaves the remaining part resting on the surface of the cabinet. Partial overlay doors are the most common. Unlike full overlay doors, which only leave about 1/8 inch of the face frame visible, partial overlay doors show about one-inch of the face frame. Tambour doors are constructed from separate piece that are attached to a flexible backing sheet. The sheet is then installed on a track that allows it to pull up like a shade and also slide around a corner.

All too often, visions of a dream kitchen turn into a nightmare. Following are the top 5 mistakes to avoid.

1. Ripping out the kitchen too early. If you plan to use semi-custom cabinets, they are made to order and usually take at least 4 to 6 weeks. If you rip out the kitchen before ordering, you will be without a kitchen for more than a month before you even receive your cabinets. The best way to ensure that you are out of your kitchen for the least amount of time is to wait until your new cabinets arrive before tearing out the old ones. That way you can make sure that you have all of the cabinets you need and that they are in good condition and are ready to install.

2. Measuring your space improperly. Once semi-custom cabinets are manufactured for you, they can't be returned. If you've measured improperly, then you'll either have to make the cabinets work or order additional cabinets at an additional expense. There are a number of sites that offer free tools and design tips. Use them!

3. Not planning for every day use. Make it functional! All too often, narrow walkways, inconvenient door swings and poor island locations can really interrupt the flow of your work space. Be sure to create a work triangle between the stove, sink and refrigerator and keep all walkways at least 36 inches wide. Make sure that no entry, appliance or cabinet door with interfere with another.

4. Lack of counter space and storage. You can save counter space by installing appliances under cabinets or counters. A microwave can be installed above the stove or a drawer-type microwave can be installed in a cabinet under the counter. Be sure to plan outlets for countertop appliances. Storage is what cabinets are all about and pantry organizers and other accessories can help you keep things organized and easily accessible.

5. Going over budget. The cost of the kitchen remodel should not exceed 20 percent of the value of the home. Be prepared for unexpected expenses!