Quality Features of Fine Cabinets – Hardware Types and Quality

• Quality Features of Fine Cabinets
• Hardware Types and Quality
• Drawer Construction
• Interior Options
• Cabinetry Box Construction
• Finish Type
• Subjective Items

Hardware Types & Quality

Hinges will vary depending on whether they are going on a framed or frameless cabinet box. The hinges found on framed cabinets generally are adjustable horizontally and vertically. These types of hinges generally depend on a friction clamping mechanism to hold the hinge in position. Hinges found on frameless cabinets are also adjustable vertically and horizontally, but also have an “in & out’ adjustment which allows full 6 way adjustability. Frameless hinges rely both on a clamping mechanism as well as a cam adjusting mechanism. The frameless style hinges generally have finer adjustment settings because the doors must necessarily be adjusted more precisely. Additionally many hinges now have a soft closing feature that cushions the door from slamming.

Framed Hinge	Frameless Hinge	Soft close depiction

Drawer slides come in many varieties but are interchangeable on either framed or frameless cabinet construction. Drawer slides can either be mounted on the side of the drawer or the underside. The under mounted glides allow the drawer box to be made approximately 1” wider and allow for maximum space usage. Many drawer slides now offer a self closing and soft close feature. This shuts the drawer completely without slamming once the user gets it started. Generally speaking for most kitchen and bath applications an under mounted, self-closing, soft close and full extension drawer slide is recommended

Under-mounted drawer slide

In today’s cabinetry most major manufacturers will guarantee their hinges and drawer slides for the life of the product. These items are usually fairly trouble free and will provide years of service but it is imperative that they are from a brand name supplier. In recent years there have been many “knock off” or “import” hinges and drawer slides. These products may not carry a lifetime warranty and may prove very difficult if not impossible to replace.