What is an inframe kitchen and why you need to know?

The process of bringing your kitchen dream to life is - and should always be - an exciting one. But there are some important considerations to factor in to ensure the kitchen you choose is right for your home.

Understanding some of the fundamentals of design before getting under way will help you get the most from the process – as well as getting to grips with some of the jargon that is inevitably out there.

Here we look at two very different ways of constructing your kitchen cabinets - lay-on or inframe.

What is an inframe kitchen?

While built-in kitchen design is the relatively ‘new kid on the block’, for centuries before that, the traditional method of making cabinets was to use the ‘inframe’ technique – where the wooden carcass is constructed, then the door is fitted to sit perfectly within the frame.

How does a lay-on kitchen differ?

As kitchen renovation grew and trends developed, the mass production of kitchen units really started to take off due to advances in modern technology. With this, manufacturers were able to cut costs greatly by omitting the frame and fixing the door directly to the carcass - allowing them to produce frameless kitchens quickly and cheaply to satisfy the growing demand for modern integrated kitchens in varying styles over the coming decades.

This lay-on design can still be found in many of the ‘mass produced’ kitchens of today, with doors typically mounted to the front of a chipboard cabinet carcass, with fixed hidden hinges, rather than sitting inside a frame. This frameless, streamlined look works well in both modern and contemporary kitchens to create a sleek finish, whilst being considerably more budget-friendly.

This innovation - and the endless design possibilities it provided - quickly rendered inframe kitchens cupboards less desirable, and suitable only to traditional shaker or country style kitchens. 

The inframe resurgence as customers choose style and elegance over mass produced kitchens

But inframe designs with custom-fitted doors are once again soaring in popularity amid a global shift among customers demanding durability and longevity from their kitchens, along with an appreciation of the more unique styling and fine craftsmanship that gives them their unrivalled appearance. 

And having proven themselves in terms of design and functionality for centuries, there are many reasons why they will still be used by customers for many years to come.

So is an inframe kitchen the right choice for you?

Pros:

1. Quite simply they look better: The classical design and construction of an inframe kitchen is instantly recognisable. The carcass fully envelopes the edges of the cabinet door, in a nod to time honoured, traditional craftsmanship - and furniture that is built to last.
2. Doors won’t drop: Framed kitchen doors will not ever drop - because they sit within a frame rather than on top of it meaning they physically have nowhere to go. This means they will remain aligned, never look messy and won’t require periodic hinge adjustments. With lay-on designs, where doors are mounted on to the front of the cabinet carcass, the weight of the door weakens the bond over time causing the door to eventually drop out of line.
3. They are custom made providing a more luxury and unique feel: Because the doors have to be made perfectly to fit the frame, you can be assured of attention to detail and the superior quality craftsmanship involved in their creation.
4. They last longer: Although in the past inframe kitchens may have been mostly associated with more traditional designs, they are now also being utilised more in modern and contemporary designs due to their durability and use of solid wood - giving customers peace of mind that they will last the test of time, whatever their setting.
5. They are strong: Constructed using classical joinery techniques means a strong bond is created that won’t weaken even with heavy everyday use.

Cons:

1. They are more expensive: Because they are custom built using traditional joinery methods - and require additional materials as well as construction time to create - inframe kitchens cost more than their off-the-shelf mass produced frameless counterparts.
2. They are not seamless: While inframe kitchens are being used more and more in modern settings, the sleek and seamless look and feel that can be created with lay-on designs is still popular in newer homes.
3. They have less storage: The storage width of the cabinet is marginally decreased by the width of the frame on either side.

There’s no doubt the simple, elegant, time tested style of an inframe kitchen will make a beautiful addition to any home - even those hoping for a contemporary transformation. And as they are created using craftsmanship techniques that have been nurtured and perfected over centuries, designed especially for your home and needs, you can rest assured that your stunning new kitchen will last the test of time. 

The additional cost afforded for this provides a much more durable kitchen and one that is set apart from a standard mass produced kitchen lacking such superior style, quality or character.

For more information about our inframe kitchens, visit our collections, download a brochure or call 01384 262710 or to speak to one of our award-winning design team.

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