1/2 Overlay
Half overlay is a reference to a particular measurement that allows for doors and drawers to be placed so they reveal dividing strips of the front face frame.
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This is the standard method of hinging doors.
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Full Overlay
A full overlay is a cabinet door that covers the cabinet’s entire face frame. This ensures minimal gaps so that only a very small portion of the cabinet’s storage area is viewable.
A full overlay is a cabinet door that conceals the opening to the storage area. This type of door or drawer front leaves very little gaps between the adjacent openings so that only a small portion of the cabinet box is visible between units. A full overlay fully rests on the cabinet opening when it is closed. A full overlay does not interfere with the interior space of the cabinet, which is not the case when using a half overlay or a full-inset door. Full overlays can be used on both frameless cabinets and cabinets that have a face frame.
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Inset
Inset doors and drawers form a flush surface with the front face of a cabinet when they are fully closed. Simply put, it is a very stunning look that gives a kitchen a sense of high craftsmanship.
Many choose to pursue the inset style with white cabinets and a soapstone countertop to complete a vintage kitchen look. Drawers are relatively unchanged between inset and overlay styles because it is only the outward facing drawer front that must be altered. To accomplish the inset effect with cabinet doors, a special kind of hinge must be used to facilitate the proper operation. Hinge styles can include a fully invisible option that creates a intriguingly smooth finish to the cabinet run. Hinges may also have just the barrel visible.
Beaded Inset
Similar to the inset style, the Beaded Inset applies a beaded detail around the door or drawer.