Walking into a millwork conversation without knowing the vocabulary is like going to a medical appointment without knowing basic anatomy — you're at the mercy of the professional's willingness to explain. Here's the vocabulary you need to participate in millwork conversations as an informed client.
Cabinet Construction Terms
- Carcass (or carcase): The box of the cabinet — the sides, top, bottom, and back that form the structural shell. Usually plywood or MDF.
- Face frame: A hardwood frame attached to the front of the carcass. Common in traditional American cabinetry. Frameless (European-style) cabinets have no face frame — doors mount directly to the carcass.
- Stile: A vertical member of a face frame or door panel.
- Rail: A horizontal member of a face frame or door panel.
- Full overlay: Door or drawer front that covers the full face frame, leaving minimal gap between adjacent doors. The most clean, contemporary appearance.
- Inset: Door or drawer front set flush with the face frame surface. Most refined, most expensive, most demanding of precise installation.
Material Terms
- MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): Dense, smooth engineered wood product made from wood fiber and resin. Paints beautifully. Not moisture-resistant. Most common material for painted cabinetry.
- Plywood: Layered wood sheets bonded at alternating grain angles. Stronger than MDF, more moisture-resistant, accepts fasteners better. Standard for carcass construction in quality millwork.
- Veneer: Thin slices of real wood bonded to a substrate (MDF or plywood). Provides the appearance of solid wood at a fraction of the cost and weight.
- Rift-cut: A veneer cutting method that produces straight, consistent grain with minimal figuring. The most refined-looking option for white oak and similar species.
Hardware Terms
- Blum: The industry-standard hardware manufacturer for hinges and drawer slides. If a millwork contractor mentions Blum hardware, that's a quality signal.
- Soft-close: Hinge or drawer slide with integrated damper that prevents slamming. Standard in quality cabinetry.
- Push-to-open (tip-on): Hardware that opens cabinets with a press rather than a pull, eliminating the need for visible handles.