What is the difference between KraftMaid full overlay and half overlay?

Author: Leonie Rowe  |  Last update: Monday, December 1, 2025

HALF OVERLAY Cabinetry designed with door and drawer fronts that extend one-half inch beyond their opening, which leaves more of the cabinet face frame visible. The half overlay is typically more affordable than full overlay where little of the cabinet frame is left showing.

Which is better, full overlay or partial overlay cabinets?

Full overlay cabinets offer a polished and contemporary look, especially with the concealed hinges. Comparatively, partial overlays are excellent for many kitchen styles, such as rustic, vintage, and traditional. They are also more budget-friendly than full overlays since they use fewer materials.

What is the difference between half inch overlay and full overlay?

Full overlay cabinets have doors and drawers that completely cover the front of the cabinet. They can be either framed or frameless, and they generally offer a cleaner, more modern style. With partial overlay cabinets, a portion of the cabinet face frame—usually a half inch—is visible.

Are there different lines of KraftMaid cabinets?

KraftMaid Cabinetry Product Line

All of these differences make it simple to create distinct looks that will feel more suitable in every customer's home. Among the most popular styles include complete lines of semi-custom cabinets that fall under the traditional, rustic, contemporary, and transitional design lines.

Are partial overlay cabinets dated?

Potential Outdated Appearance: for most clients who come in with the thought that partial overlay cabinets are outdated, we recommend these clients look at the cabinet face and make adjustments. A lot of times what they are truly saying is outdated is the cabinet face and not the overlay.

How to Measure & Install Concealed Hinges on Cabinet Doors

What are the problems with full overlay cabinets?

The cons of full overlay doors are:
  • They require more precision to stay aligned than partial overlay doors.
  • Their close alignment makes them more susceptible to wear and tear.
  • You need hardware to open and close the doors since they are so close together.

Are full overlay cabinets more expensive?

Cost: The total cost of standard overlay cabinets is lower than the cost of full overlay because it requires less material. However, this type of cabinet will require more labor to install and finish than a set that's already pre-finished or has an attached face frame that comes with doors already in place.

Who makes the best kitchen cabinets for the money?

Top 10 Cabinet Manufacturers in the USA
  • MasterBrand Cabinets. This kitchen cabinet manufacturer offers many styles and types of kitchen cabinets with various price points. ...
  • American Woodmark Corp. ...
  • Masco Corp. ...
  • Elkay Wood Products Co. ...
  • ACProducts, Inc. ...
  • Foremost Groups Inc. ...
  • Wood-Mode Inc. ...
  • Wellborn Cabinet Inc.

Are KraftMaid cabinets made of solid wood?

What types of wood are KraftMaid cabinets made of? We use solid milled lumber in our doors, drawer fronts and face frames. From Maple, Oak and Cherry to Alder and Hickory, you'll find several species of American hardwoods that help you achieve the look you want in your kitchen.

Does KraftMaid use Blum hinges?

KraftMaid Vantage uses Blum Hardware which is the gold standard and leader in cabinet hardware. KraftMaid's Whisper Touch™ hinge features an integrated mechanism that closes doors softly and quietly and is adjustable six ways for perfect alignment.

What is the most common cabinet overlay?

Overlays can come in a variety of sizes but in common applications we most often see a 1/2" overlay or 1/4" overlay. Although, where European Hinges are used there is a broader range of overlay sizes. When measuring your overlay, you will need to look on the hinged side of the door, to determine your overlay size.

What does a full overlay cabinet look like?

Shaker-style cabinet doors are commonly full overlay, so the cabinet's face frame is fully covered by the doors and drawers. This creates a clean look that has become synonymous with modern kitchens.

How much overlay is full overlay?

Make sure you size the new doors according to standard overlays offered by hinge manufacturers. We suggest sizing your doors and drawers to conform to Partial Overlay (1/2″ overlay) or Full Overlay (1-1/4″ overlay). These are common overlays which are supported by all hinge manufacturers.

What is the best arrangement of kitchen cabinets?

How to organize kitchen cabinets
  • Place smaller items inside larger and stack flatter items. ...
  • Store heavy items in lower cabinets. ...
  • Display pots and pans. ...
  • Choose cool, dark and dry spaces for food storage. ...
  • Arrange food items by size and type. ...
  • Move older food items to the front to use first. ...
  • Repackage opened bulk food items.

Are Shaker cabinets full overlay?

Shaker cabinets come in three main box styles: full overlay, partial overlay, and inset box. Each style offers unique benefits and can change the overall look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom. Whether you prefer a more modern look or a classic, timeless design, there's a Shaker cabinet style that fits your needs.

Do full overlay cabinets have a face frame?

A full overlay door will overlay as much of the cabinet face frame as possible to ensure a nice updated style for your new cabinets. Using this tutorial we will give you a simple roadmap to making your outdated cabinetry look as good as new! Let get started.

How long will KraftMaid cabinets last?

INSTALLATION, CARE & CLEANING GUIDE

With just a little effort on your part, your KraftMaid cabinets will last a lifetime. Use this guide to get a rock-solid installation and keep everything looking and working flawlessly for years to come.

What are the different lines of KraftMaid cabinets?

  • Traditional.
  • Transitional.
  • Contemporary.
  • Modern.
  • Rustic.

Does Lowes carry KraftMaid cabinets?

KraftMaid cabinets come in a range of style and colors, so whether you're looking for classic white Shaker cabinets, stained wood cabinets or trending finishes, you'll find the look you're after at Lowe's.

What color cabinets sell the best?

Most real estate agents will tell sellers that neutral colors will appeal to the widest audience. While white is a very popular color for kitchen cabinets, other neutrals like gray, black, and beige are also good. Stained wood cabinets have an appeal, especially if they are of high quality.

What cabinets does Joanna Gaines use?

It's worth noting that Gaines often works with a team of contractors and designers to create her kitchen designs, so it's not always clear which specific cabinets she has used in a given project. However, she tends to favor natural wood finishes and rustic, farmhouse-style cabinets in her designs.

What are the hardest wearing kitchen cabinets?

Solid Wood Cabinets

Solid natural wood cabinets are the gold standard when it comes to strength and longevity. Woods like maple, oak, birch, walnut, and cherry will last you decades.

What is the markup on cabinets?

The profit margin for cabinets usually falls somewhere between 25% and 50%. This is heavily dependent on how much you actually put into making each cabinet. Generally, the less you invest in each unit, the higher your potential profit margin.

What type of wood cabinets are most expensive?

Cherry is a slightly more expensive option, while oak is usually about as affordable as its counterparts. Maple is the most expensive type of wood available for kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinets made of pine tend to be the cheapest type of cabinet on the market.

Are more expensive cabinets worth it?

In the world of kitchen cabinets, you truly get what you pay for, especially when it comes to durability and longevity. High-end materials and construction methods might come with a steeper initial cost, but they pay off in the long run.

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