Glossary of Cabinet Construction and Cabinet Installation Terms

Below are key cabinet terms and descriptions that will help you better communicate youire your cabinet contractor or cabinetmaker and navigate your way through your new cabinetry project from beginning to end.

adjustable cabinet shelves
Adjustable shelves are placed in an assortment of predrilled holes in a various range of layouts.

Also known as: cabinet shelves, pull out cabinet shelves, cabinet shelving, rolling cabinet shelves, cabinet with shelves, cabinets shelves, roll out cabinet shelves, sliding cabinet shelves

bathroom cabinets
A bathroom cabinet is a cabinet in the bathroom. It is often placed above a sink or toilet and is made to hold hygiene products, toiletries, and medications.

Also known as: modern bathroom cabinets, bathroom sink cabinet, bathroom cabinets and vanities, bathroom vanity cabinet, bathroom vanities, corner bathroom cabinets, small bathroom cabinets, vanity bathroom cabinets, bathroom vanity cabinets, bathroom cabinet, bathroom storage cabinet, wall mounted bathroom cabinets, bathroom medicine cabinets with mirrors, cabinets bathroom

bridge cabinets
A cabinet that is used to cover an open space above an appliance, like a refrigerator.

Also known as: covered bridge cabinets

built in cabinets
Cabinets that built in, that is constructed as part of a larger unit; not detachable.

Also known as: built in kitchen cabinets, built in desk cabinets, built in bathroom cabinets, built in bookcases cabinets, built in storage cabinets, custom built in cabinets, built in corner cabinets, built in closet cabinets, built in cabinets, built in cabinet, built in bar cabinets, built in cabinets around fireplace, built in medicine cabinets, built in pantry cabinets, built ins, built in tv cabnets, built in cabinets pictures, built in bathroom vanities, cabinets bathroom

cabinet doors
These doors are barriers for opening and closing cabinets. Cabinet doors come in many different styles.

cam and bolt hardware
Hardware that is used to connect the top, the bottom, and the sides of kitchen cabinets.

Also known as: fasteners, metric fasteners, specialty fasteners, caber bolt, metric nuts, ubolts, stainless steel fasteners, screws and fasteners

crown molding
Decorative molding that is applied at the top of kitchen cabinets.

Also known as custom crown molding, crown molding corners, kitchen cabinet crown molding, celling crown molding, plaster crown molding, modern crown molding, maple crown molding, crown molding designs, wood crown molding

custom cabinets
Cabinets that are designed and made specifically for your kitchen. They come in a wide selection of sizes, shapes, and finishes. Custom cabinets represent the high end of kitchen quality and cost. They can feature any number of wood types and a wide variety of construction and aesthetic detailing.

Also known as: custom kitchen cabinets, custom cabinet makers, semi custom cabinets, custom made cabinets, custom cabinet, custom bathroom cabinets, custom cabinet doors, custom built cabinets, kitchen custom cabinets, advanced custom cabinets, custom office cabinets, storage cabinets

edge band
A piece of material that is applied to the edge of a board or door. This band is used to to seal and cover the surface.

Also known as: wood edge banding, edge banding trimmer, edge banding, plastic edge banding, vinyl edge banding, edge banding veneer, iron on edge banding, wood veneer edge banding, birch edge banding, metal edge banding, aluminum edge banding, veneer edge banding, edge banding plywood

framed kitchen cabinets
Usually referred to as traditional cabinets. These cabinets consist of a front frame with rails and stiles around the opening to the cabinet.

Also known as: kitchen cabinets, stainless steel kitchen cabinets, pine kitchen cabinets, modern kitchen cabinets, wood kitchen cabinets, framing kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet frames, maple kitchen cabinets, contemporary kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet frame

frameless kitchen cabinets
Cabinets that have doors which cover the entire cabinet face. These are commonly referred to as an overlay door. With frameless kitchen cabinetry, the front of the cabinet is not blocked by any frames. It is also well-known as “European Styling”, it allows for more storage space and wider drawers.

Also known as: European styling, frameless kitchen cabinet manufacturers, quality kitchen cabinets,

fixed cabinet shelves
Fixed shelves canit be moved up or down. These shelves are constructed into the kitchen cabinet.

Also known as: server rack shelves, computer rack shelves, industrial cabinets, cabinet with shelves, garage storage, rack shelf, cabinet shelf, rack shelves, server rack shelf, metal storage cabinet, garage shelving rack mount shelf, metal storage shelf, rackmount shelf, rack shelf, storage cabinets

fluted rail
A decorative molding that is used to highlight areas between cabinets.

Also known as: kitchen rail, kitchen bath, kitchen bath designs, accessories bath, bathroom rail, bathroom furniture and accessories

furniture cabinets
Cabinets that can be used as furniture.

Also known as: furniture cabinets, bathroom cabinets, medicine cabinets, laundry room cabinets, custom cabinets, unfinished cabinets, bathroom vanity cabinets, corn cabinets, wall cabinets, tall kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, cabinet furniture, cabinet kitchen, cabinets bathroom

glaze
A process of staining that creates highlights on natural wood cabinets.

Also known as: coyte glazes, cermic glazes, clay glazes, glaze, paint, glaze pens, glazed, crackle glaze, stoneware glazes,

glazing
A finishing process intentionally creating an uneven, inconsistent look. This process applies an accent stain over the entire door, and then wipes it off, leaving some light to dark tones in the corners, door grooves and wood grains which creates an overall glazed finish.

Also known as: glass glazing, glazing cabinets, glass and glazing, commercial glazing, glazing companies, glazing systems, polycarbonate glazing, glazing tape, glazing tools, glazing tape, polycarbonate glazing, plastic glazing, fire rated glazing, double glazing

kitchen cabinets
Various styles of cupboards or cabinets for kitchens.

Also known as: cabinets for kitchen, kitchen cabinets, cabinets kitchen, cabinet kitchen, kitchen cabinet, kitchen cabinetry, cabinet furniture

light rail
A decorative molding that is usually applied to the bottom of wall cabinets. This molding provides a finished look.

medicine cabinets
Cabinet that holds medicines and toiletries. The medicine cabinet is usually in the bathroom.

Also known as: medicine cabinet, bathroom cabinets, laundry room cabinets, custom cabinets, unfinished cabinets, cabinet furniture, cabinets bathroom, storage cabinets

MDF
Medium Density Fiberboard n This is a type of engineered wood.

Also known as: mdf board, medium density fiberboard, mdf board, mdf sheet, mdf board sizes, mdf mouldings, laminated mdf, mdf wood, mdf material, particle board, mdf door, mdf panel, mdf wall panels, veneer mdf, mdf panels, mdf paneling, mdf particle board, moisture resistant mdf, painting mdf

office cabinets
Cabinets that are intended for use in an office.

Also known as: wall cabinets, bathroom cabinets, custom made cabinets, storage cabinets, cabinets bathroom, cabinet furniture

pantry cabinet
Cabinets for the small room or closet, usually off the kitchen. The pantry is where food, tableware, linens, and similar items are stored.

Also known as: kitchen cabinets, pantry cabinets, kitchen pantry cabinet, pantry organizers, kitchen pantry, pantry shelving, pantry organization, pantry storage, freestanding pantry, kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinetry, storage cabinets

particleboard
An engineered board that is made from wood.

Also known as: particle board, mdf, plywood, particleboard underlayment, mdf wood, medium density particleboard, chipboard, particleboard density, fire rated particleboard, thin particle board

pulls, knobs, and handles
Pieces of hardware that are attached to kitchen cabinets, doors, or drawer fronts. They are used to open the cabinet.

Also known as: cabinet knobs and handles, kitchen pull knobs, drawer pulls, furniture pulls and knobs, kitchen knobs and handles

semi-custom cabinets
Cabinets that are factory-produced in common sizes. These cabinets will include special adaptations, such as stained-glass inserts, specially designed storage features, and possibly extensions that fill small gaps in the layout. Custom and semi-custom cabinets are tailor-made and require your payment up front. With semi-custom cabinets, you make your choice from the manufacturer’s inventory of standard sizes and types (with widths in 3-inch increments) rather than having them made to your personal specifications.

Also known as: semi custom cabinets, custom kitchen cabinets, semi custom kitchen cabinets, custom cabinet, custom bath cabinets, custom cabinet maker, semi custom cabinetry, stock cabinets, cabinet furniture

shelf pins
Metal or plastic pieces of hardware that the shelf sits on.

Also known as: shelf pin, shelf support pins, shelf supports, 5mm shelf pins, glass shelf pins, plastic shelf clips, 3mm shelf pins, shelf brackets, bookcase shelf pins, shelf pin jig, shelf pins and supports, shelf pin template

soffit spacer
Molding that is applied at the top of kitchen cabinets to allow for the door clearance.

Also known as: aluminum soffit, soffit ventilation, metal soffit, aluminum soffit installation, eve vents, fiber cement soffit, aluminum soffit

stain
This finish is applied to natural wood cabinets and enhances their color and protection.

Also known as: wood stain colors, stains, kitchen cabinet stain colors, staining cabinets, cabinet stain colors, cabinet staining, cabinet stains, stain cabinets, kitchen cabinets stain, oak cabinet stains, kitchen cabinet stains, wood stain, staining wood, stain wood cabinets

stock cabinets
This refers to factory-made cabinets in standard sizes and shapes. These are kept in a manufacturer’s or retailer’s inventory. To lessen warehousing space, choices are kept to a minimum with a few common sizes and one or two wood species. This section of the market has diminished substantially in recent years because of the improved affordability of semi-custom cabinets.

Also known as: kitchen cabinets in stock, cabinets in stock, stock cabinetry, cabinets stock, stock cabinet doors, in stock cabinets, stock kitchen cabinets, stock cabinet

Thermofoil
A vinyl material which is pressed and sealed onto an engineered board.

Also known as: thermofoil cabinet, thermofoil cabinet doors, white thermofoil cabinets, rigid thermofoil, cabinet door

toe kick
A type of molding that is used to cover the open space under a kitchen cabinet.

Also known as: cabinet toe kicks, kitchen toe kick, kitchen cabinet toe kick, toe kick dimensions, t

unfinished kitchen cabinets
Kitchen cabinets that are available for purchase that are iready to finishi. These require you to paint or stain them on your own after purchase.

Also known as: unfinished kitchen cabinet, unfinished kitchen cabinetry, unfinished, cabinets kitchen, unfinished cabinet kitchen

used kitchen cabinets
Cabinets that have been taken out of a house that are still in good condition. These can be used again and are more economical for the buyer.

Also known as: kitchen cabinets liquidators, used kitchen cabinet, second hand kitchen cabinets, rustic kitchen cabinets, used kitchen cabinet doors, cabinet door, cabinets kitchen, used cabinets kitchen, used cabinet kitchen, used kitchen cabinet, used kitchen cabinetry

veneer
A thin piece of wood that is usually laminated or glued onto a piece of engineered board.

Also known as: veneer supplies, oak veneer, wood veneer sheets, birch veneer, wood veneer, exotic wood veneer, veneer wood sheets, wood veneers, wood veneer panels, wood veneer paper, walnut burl veneer, quilted maple veneer, hardwood veneer, maple veneer, pine veneer, plywood veneer, self adhesive veneer