In frame kitchen, good idea or not?
Discussion
Also known as 'face frame', especially in the States where they are pretty much standard.
In frame example on the left, both on a 600mm wide cabinet, the in-frame one looks lower at the bottom because the top of the bottom rail is flush with the base of the cabinet.
But I notice that they are becoming quite popular in this country too. I don't like the idea personally as it wastes quite a bit of space, and it makes it difficult to integrate appliances, which are designed for standard 'laid on' kitchens. I get the impression that they are particularly popular with people of the female persuasion.
In frame example on the left, both on a 600mm wide cabinet, the in-frame one looks lower at the bottom because the top of the bottom rail is flush with the base of the cabinet.
But I notice that they are becoming quite popular in this country too. I don't like the idea personally as it wastes quite a bit of space, and it makes it difficult to integrate appliances, which are designed for standard 'laid on' kitchens. I get the impression that they are particularly popular with people of the female persuasion.
in-frame kitchens are traditionally better quality as they are (not always but the majority) solid wood as opposed to manufactured, thus they present a certain appearance. I would very definitely opt for an in-frame kitchen in our house, but it does depend on the style of the kitchen as well - a very modern or contemporary kitchen is less likely to be in-frame...
Standard inflammatory PH response - sounds like you've already decided it's a bad idea, so why bother post about it? 
More considered response - I prefer the look of them to be honest, and I'm a bloke who builds stuff and plays with engines and has a genuine female wife - and no, it wasn't her choice! I've got a pile of brand new in-frame units/doors waiting for installation in my house; I went for Second Nature's Milton Ivory range, via DIY Kitchens. I think traditionally they are chosen because the look is more akin to, erm, traditional hand-built kitchens, as opposed to the 'fitted' look (ie door-meets-door) that is the norm these days. Having said that, when looking through the various catalogues I did notice a lot of more contemporary uses of in-frame designs which looked pretty damn smart.
I'm going for a fairly traditional look (hence the ivory colour) but with the occasional hint of modernity; my house was built in 1986 but is in a pretty rural setting.
As you mentioned the frame sits lower than a regular fitted kitchen - I'm planning to fix some LED strip lighting to the back of the overhang so that I've got some hidden plinth lighting....it looks good in me head, at least!
More considered response - I prefer the look of them to be honest, and I'm a bloke who builds stuff and plays with engines and has a genuine female wife - and no, it wasn't her choice! I've got a pile of brand new in-frame units/doors waiting for installation in my house; I went for Second Nature's Milton Ivory range, via DIY Kitchens. I think traditionally they are chosen because the look is more akin to, erm, traditional hand-built kitchens, as opposed to the 'fitted' look (ie door-meets-door) that is the norm these days. Having said that, when looking through the various catalogues I did notice a lot of more contemporary uses of in-frame designs which looked pretty damn smart.
I'm going for a fairly traditional look (hence the ivory colour) but with the occasional hint of modernity; my house was built in 1986 but is in a pretty rural setting.
As you mentioned the frame sits lower than a regular fitted kitchen - I'm planning to fix some LED strip lighting to the back of the overhang so that I've got some hidden plinth lighting....it looks good in me head, at least!
TimCrighton said:
in-frame kitchens are traditionally better quality as they are (not always but the majority) solid wood as opposed to manufactured, thus they present a certain appearance. I would very definitely opt for an in-frame kitchen in our house, but it does depend on the style of the kitchen as well - a very modern or contemporary kitchen is less likely to be in-frame...
If the material itself wasn't an issue- for instance if one was comparing painted with painted, or solid wood with solid wood, how would you feel about it then?tr7ster said:
when looking through the various catalogues I did notice a lot of more contemporary uses of in-frame designs which looked pretty damn smart.
Did they have good solutions for integrated appliances? Reason I ask, I have seen in frame kitchens where the integrated dishwasher is fitted behind an entire frame, drawer front and door, and the opening takes place between that frame and the adjacent frames. Seems like a not very good solution because of the clearance gap either side of the dishwasher where there isn't similar gaps between the other units.Blakeatron said:
With framed units you should be using a butt hinge - harder to initially get right and no adjustment but infinately better than concealed (standard) kitchen hinges.
Personally I would always go framed - and you dont loose that much internal space, if any.
You would certainly lose space in the drawers, it might not amount to a large loss, but I know in some kitchens drawer space is at a premium. I would be interested to know why you think butt hinges are better than concealed?Personally I would always go framed - and you dont loose that much internal space, if any.
But what I really want to know is how you would use integrated appliances, or would you avoid them?
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