What Are Euro Cabinets?

Origin

• Euro style cabinetry originates and gets its name from the continent of Europe. These cabinets began sometime after World War II and were the result of a lack of materials. Eventually, the style caught on and is now a rival competitor to the traditional framed cabinetry found in many homes in the United States. Euro cabinets may also be referred to as frameless cabinets.

Face Frame

• Traditional cabinetry has a face frame on the front of the cabinet. On this style of cabinetry, the cabinet door is attached to the face frame. Generally, the face frame is 1 to 1 1/2 inches in width. Meanwhile, with Euro-style cabinets, the door is secured to the edge of the cabinet rather than to a face frame. The doors are larger on Euro cabinets and allow for a seamless look rather than leaving large gaps between the doors.

Benefits of Frameless Cabinets

• Frameless cabinets have a more contemporary look than their traditional counterparts, making them a desirable feature for modern or contemporary kitchens. Typically, frameless cabinets are available in the same options as traditional cabinets, making them comparable in wood, color and size options. Euro cabinetry also tends to cost less than traditional framed cabinets, mainly due to the loss of the face frame. Less material means bigger savings for the customer. Furthermore, because there is no face frame, Euro cabinets are more easily accessible for storage. This is especially true for large items, such as crock pots or baking pans.

Negative Aspects of Euro Cabinets

• Though Euro cabinetry tends to be cheaper, some companies may manufacture this style of cabinetry with cheaper materials. This can result in low quality cabinetry that may need replacement in just a few years. Of course, the same can be said about traditional faced cabinetry. Frameless cabinets may also sag and lose their rectangular or square shape over time, due to the lack of the added support from the face frame. Over time, these cabinets will may require realignment of doors, hinges and mounting.