What Are The Parts Of A Cabinet Door Called?
New to cabinet doors? This guide explains stiles, rails, panels, profiles, and styles so you can speak the language and avoid mistakes.
You’re here because you’re new to cabinet doors. And let’s face it, this stuff can get confusing. Whether you’re a homeowner tackling a DIY kitchen reno or a new contractor learning the ropes, it can feel like people are speaking another language. The problem is that it’s easy to miscommunicate with your supplier if you don’t understand the words. That can lead to delays, incorrect orders, and costly do-overs. You need to get on the same page, but it’s difficult when you’re unsure of the terms and names.
At Cutting Edge Doors, we work with hundreds of people just like you every year. We understand how overwhelming industry-specific jargon can be. That’s why we’re here – to break down the parts of a cabinet door in a clear, easy-to-understand way, so you feel confident ordering and talking about cabinet doors, regardless of who you order from.
By the end of this article, you’ll know the basic terms used when talking about cabinet doors – plus some in-depth information about the more technical terms.
There Are 5 Main Parts Of A Cabinet Door
Most cabinet doors have five components. These are four pieces that create the frame and one panel that fills in the centre of the frame.
You might hear cabinet doors called five-piece doors, especially if you’re buying shaker or cope and stick styles. There are other terms for door styles that we’ll dive into later.
Here’s a diagram of the parts of a five-piece cabinet door:
Each Cabinet Door Has Two Stiles
Stiles are the vertical pieces on the left and right sides of the door frame. Whether you’re ordering wood or NEXGEN cabinet doors, these always have vertical grain (the grain runs top to bottom). This construction method makes your doors more durable.
Each Cabinet Door Has Two Rails
Rails are the horizontal pieces at the top and bottom of the door. In both wood and NEXGEN cabinet doors, the rails have horizontal grain.
The rails hold the two stiles in place.
Each Cabinet Door Has a Panel
The panel is the centre piece that fits inside the frame made by the stiles and rails. It’s what gives the door style and personality.
For doors, the centre panels have vertical grain, like the stiles. However, some suppliers may use horizontal grain panels, like the rails, for drawer fronts.
Not all cabinet doors have solid panels. Some five-piece doors have an open centre where you can install glass instead. These are glass frame doors or glass cabinet doors, and they’re great for display cabinets or upper kitchen cabinets.
Each Of The Parts Of A Cabinet Door Have Customizable Areas
Each of the five main parts of a cabinet door can be customized. That’s why you must also understand the parts that make up each part of a cabinet door. Let’s walk through each one.
The Components Of Stiles And Rails - Parts Of A Cabinet Door
Stiles and rails form the outer frame of the door. But these pieces also have customizable features:
Stile and Rail Width
The stile and rail width is, as it sounds, how wide the stiles and rails are. This dimension typically measures from the outside edge of the stile or rail to the inside edge of the stile or rail.
Standard stile and rail widths vary depending on the door style and supplier but are usually between 2 and 3 inches.
Reduced Stiles And Rails
Smaller pieces, like narrow doors or top drawer fronts, may use reduced stiles or rails. That means the stiles or rails are narrower than usual.
Why? First, it’s safer for the person building it. Second, it increases the panel size, which helps with design balance on small pieces. And third, it keeps the same overall style even when space is tight.
Joint Type Or Construction Method
The joint type, or construction method, refers to how your doors are built. For example, mitred doors have mitred joints. This construction method means the stiles and rails meet at a 45° angle.
Cope and stick construction is the most popular method. Doors built using this method have rails that butt up against the stiles – or meet the stiles at a 90° angle.
Cope and stick doors are also called stile and rail doors. You might also hear them referred to as mortise and tenon doors because of the way the pieces fit together – one piece has a tongue (tenon), and the other has a groove (mortise).
Inside Profile
The inside profile is the detail running along the inner edges of stiles and rails. It can be simple (like a shaker door) or more detailed.
The inside profile impacts the shadow lines and the overall appearance of the door.
Outside Profile
The outside profile is the detail running along the outer edges of stiles and rails. Like the inside profile, this can be simple or detailed.
The outside profile is not purely decorative. Sharp or angled outside profiles can be more prone to dents or chipping. Rounded or softer outside profiles feel smoother and are less prone to damage.
The Components Of Panels - Parts Of A Cabinet Door
The centre panel is less detailed than the stiles and rails, but it also has detailed parts worth knowing.
Panel Type
There are two types of panels: plywood and solid wood. Solid wood panels are more expensive because they take more wood and labour – but they are also more customizable.
Plywood panels are less expensive and less customizable.
Panel Profile
The panel profile is the detail running along the edges of a solid wood or raised panel. Panel profiles are only an option when you order solid wood centre panels.
Panel Thickness
The panel thickness is, as it sounds, the thickness of the centre panel. Typically, your supplier determines the thickness, and you can’t customize it.
Different Door Styles Have Different Names For The Parts Of A Cabinet Door
Now here’s where things get tricky – not all cabinet doors are made the same way. The names or construction of each part can change depending on the door style.
Raised Panel Cabinet Doors
In raised panel doors, the centre panel is solid wood and level with the tops of the stiles and rails. Instead of a flat surface, the panel is profiled and raised, creating a more traditional look.
These panels are known as solid wood panels or raised panels.
Plywood Panel Cabinet Doors
If you’re looking at budget-friendly, shaker or contemporary doors, you may find doors with plywood panels.
Plywood panels are flat and recessed from the stiles and rails. They don’t have any profiles. They also look (and feel) different from solid wood panels.
Plywood panels might also be called flat panels, ply panels, or recessed panels.
Mitred Cabinet Doors
This is where the frame corners are cut at 45-degree angles and joined together. You might already be familiar with mitred joints because they are often used in picture frames.
Typically, mitred doors use different profiles, known as mitred profiles. Mitred profiles are more detailed and may include a standard outside profile that can’t be removed or changed.
Learn More About Cope And Stick Cabinet Doors
Before reading this, you may have felt unsure or overwhelmed by all the cabinet door terminology. Maybe you weren’t even sure what to ask for when placing an order. That’s normal, and it’s something we see all the time.
Now you understand the five basic parts of a cabinet door and how they work together. You also know how different door styles affect naming and design.
So what’s your next step? Learn more about cope and stick cabinet doors – one of the most popular and versatile options out there. These styles are classic, clean, and compatible with many different panel types.
