Inset vs Overlay Cabinets

One of the many options you have when designing your new custom cabinets in Green Bay is the type of doors. One door choice in particular is “inset” or “overlay”cabinet doors. So what is the difference?  Have a look at the photos below. Notice how on the inset cabinet doors, the door literally sits inside the cabinet box, flush with the cabinet’s exterior. On the other hand, the overlaid cabinet doors lay on the outside of the cabinet box.

 

 

For the most part, the choice between the two door styles is aesthetics. The inset cabinets give a very clean and modern look to cabinets, while overlaid doors are more traditional. Both styles have their place, and both can be sleek and beautiful. So it’s mostly a matter of which look you prefer.

However, while the choice usually comes down to looks, it is important to note a few differences in the door choices. First off, inset cabinets require more precision and thus are more difficult to construct. As a result they are usually a bit more expensive to build compared to overlay doors. In addition, since inset doors nest within the cabinet boxes, they are prone to sticking and jamming as the wood doors and cabinets expand and shrink over time (due to humidity). Thus inset cabinets may need additional adjustment over time. Lastly, if you are looking to maximize space, overlay doors are the way to go since they do not require taking up space within the cabinet boxes. While you don’t gain a lot of room with overlay doors, you do maximize your cabinet space.

If you are looking for more examples of overlay or inset doors, or if have questions about which style is right for your kitchen or bath, give us a call. We’d be happy to talk it through with you.