Stock cabinets are pre-manufactured in standard sizes and limited styles, finishes, and configurations. They offer the quickest turnaround and most budget-friendly option.
Semi-custom cabinets offer more flexibility than stock. While they are based on standard sizes, they can be modified with a range of optional features like upgraded storage inserts, trim details, and specialized configurations. A balanced option for form and function.
Base cabinets form the foundation of most layouts. Installed with the top at a working height (counter level, desk level, etc.), they may be hung from the wall, resting on the floor or a combination, they support countertops, islands, and vanities. They are typically 24″ deep and may include toe kicks for ergonomic use. These may have doors and/or drawers that accommodate a variety of inserts from tray dividers to trash can inserts, roll outs, appliance lifters, charging solutions and much more.
A cabinet that is mounted to the wall and typically acts as a bridge above an appliance, window, or peninsula location.
Wall-mounted cabinets are installed above counters or appliances for easy-access storage. Often used for dishes, spices, or glassware, they are available in a wide range of heights and can be customized with lighting or glass door inserts.
Also called tall cabinets, pantries maximize vertical storage for food, cleaning supplies, or small appliances. A must-have for kitchens with limited base or wall space. Like base cabinets, they can accommodate a multitude of inserts and configurations.
Used where two runs of cabinets meet at a corner, blind corners maximize hard-to-reach space. Options include swing-out shelving or lazy-susan-style inserts for added functionality.
Frameless cabinets, sometimes referred to as Euro-style, eliminate the face frame for a more modern look and maximum storage access. Doors and drawers mount directly to the cabinet box.
These doors are routed from a single piece of high-density fiberboard. HDF is an engineered wood product known for its high density, strength, moisture resistance, and smooth surface (sometimes referred to as HMD for High Density Machinable), eliminating joints that can crack over time. The result is a smooth, consistent paint-grade surface with crisp profiles and sharp detailing—perfect for a clean, seamless look in transitional and modern spaces.
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This style features a center panel that is elevated above the surrounding frame, adding depth and visual interest. Raised panel doors are a staple of classic and traditional kitchen designs, often built using cope & stick or miter joinery.
A flat center panel set into a frame creates the iconic Shaker look. Its clean lines and balanced proportions make it one of the most versatile and enduring door styles, well-suited to both modern and transitional spaces.
Mullion doors are frame-style doors with open sections designed to hold glass inserts. Grids or divided lites can be added for a decorative accent. Mullions are ideal for upper cabinets or display areas where visibility and style are key.
Features a flat, frameless surface for a minimalist, modern aesthetic. Often constructed from HDF, TFL, or veneer panels, slab doors offer a sleek, seamless appearance and are a popular choice for contemporary and European-inspired cabinetry. Proper edge banding and application technique are important for a professional appearance.
A traditional construction technique for five-piece cabinet doors, the cope and stick join the rails and stiles with interlocking profiles. This method offers a strong, stable joint and adds decorative detail to the interior edge of the frame, commonly paired with both raised and recessed center panels.
Mitered doors, the frame corners are joined at a 45° angle for a clean, continuous edge profile. This construction style provides a refined, upscale appearance and is often chosen for more formal or decorative door styles.
TFL (Thermally Fused Laminate) doors are flat panel designs made by fusing a decorative layer to a composite core. These are often edge-banded for a clean, finished appearance. Ideal for modern designs, TFL doors are durable, affordable, and available in a wide range of textures and woodgrain visuals.
Dovetail joints are the gold standard in drawer construction. Their interlocking design offers exceptional strength and durability while adding a level of craftsmanship that elevates both aesthetics and function.
Made from 3/4″ melamine panels, these drawer boxes provide an economical, durable solution. They are often constructed using dowel-and-screw assembly, making them ideal for value-driven projects while maintaining long-lasting performance.
These drawers feature a rabbet joint at the corners, secured with glue and nails or staples. While not as ornate as dovetail, they offer dependable strength and are common in mid-range cabinetry.
Built using precisely drilled dowels and glue, doweled drawer boxes are strong and clean in appearance. Often used with melamine or laminated materials, they offer a minimalist look and consistent durability.
The simplest type of drawer box, a butt joint connects two pieces at a right-angle using glue, nails, or screws. These are typically found in entry-level cabinetry or utility spaces.
Similar in concept to dovetails, box joints use square or rectangular “fingers” to create a strong mechanical bond. They offer excellent strength and a modern, machine-made aesthetic.
These use a routed interlocking pattern—often L-shaped—that creates a strong, precise corner joint. Frequently used in CNC production environments for their clean finish and reliable alignment.
Often found in European-style or frameless cabinetry, metal drawer systems integrate the sides, glides, and soft-close mechanisms into a single unit, offering sleek, modern solutions with excellent functionality.
The structural body of the cabinet, includes the sides, back, top (except base cabinets), and bottom.
Rails are the horizontal members of the door or frame; stiles are the vertical parts. Together, they create the structure of framed door styles or the face frame of a framed cabinet.
Exclusive to framed cabinets, the face frame provides stability and defines door/drawer positioning. Often made from solid wood, it adds both strength and style.
Hardware that allows cabinet doors to open and close. Concealed hinges offer a sleek look, while exposed or decorative hinges add traditional character. Adjustable hinges ensure consistent alignment over time.
Also known as slides, drawer glides support smooth operation. Choose from side- or under-mounted styles. Full-extension glides improve access, while soft-close options prevent slamming.
Permanently installed during construction. Strong and sturdy, ideal for heavy loads, but lack flexibility for storing taller items.
Mounted with movable pegs for customizable spacing. Ideal for changing needs, but dependent on the strength of shelf pins and side walls.
A recessed area at the base of lower cabinets, allowing for foot space and ergonomic access while working at the counter.
Custom or factory-matched panels that cover panel-ready appliances like dishwashers or refrigerators, creating a cohesive, built-in look.
Framed or face-frame cabinets feature a front frame that provides a more traditional look. Doors and drawers attach directly to the frame, which can be visible depending on the overlay style (full overlay, partial overlay, and inset). This is the most common construction type in American cabinetry.
Doors and drawers partially cover the face frame, leaving some of it visible. This classic style allows for easier installation and the greatest tolerance in alignment.
With full overlay construction, doors and drawers fully cover the cabinet face frame. The result is a seamless, modern look. Precision is key with full overlay installations to maintain tight, consistent gaps.
Inset cabinets offer a clean, flush appearance by setting doors and drawers inside the face frame. This high-end style demands exact alignment but delivers a refined, furniture-like aesthetic. Decorative hardware is typically required for access.
Segmented trays keep utensils and flatware organized. Available in wood, plastic, or metal, they can be fixed or removable depending on the application.
Dedicated knife organizers provide safe, accessible storage with individual slots to protect blades and keep countertops clear.
Tiered or angled inserts store spice jars flat but visible, making contents easy to identify and reach without rummaging.
Deep inserts designed to hold larger cooking tools, tongs, spatulas, and serving spoons. Often paired with adjustable layouts.
Solid hardwood is most often used in the face frames, doors, and drawer fronts of cabinets. Common species include maple, oak, cherry, and hickory. Full hardwood cabinet boxes are rare, as engineered materials are typically used for their stability and cost-efficiency.
Plywood is constructed by layering thin sheets of wood veneer with alternating grain directions. This creates a strong, stable material commonly used in higher-end cabinet boxes and shelving. At Lewis, we often use 3/4″ thick plywood in premium cabinet builds.
MDF is made from fine wood fibers and resin, fused under heat and pressure. It offers a smooth surface that is ideal for painted finishes. Stable and affordable, MDF is a reliable choice for doors, panels, and interior parts that require precision without the cost of solid wood.
HDF is engineered from densely packed wood fibers and resin for superior strength, stability, and detail. It is a top choice for premium paint-grade cabinet doors and drawer fronts. With no visible grain, HDF delivers a smooth, consistent finish. Doors are routed from a single piece—so there are no joints to crack—while the material’s density allows for crisp edge profiles and easy touch-ups if needed.
Made from compressed wood chips and resin, particleboard is a cost-effective substrate often used in budget-conscious cabinetry. While less durable than MDF or Plywood, it offers good stability for interior cabinet applications when properly sealed.
Dovetail joints feature interlocking pins and tails that create a strong mechanical bond. Known for their durability and visual appeal, they are often used in drawer box construction to enhance both strength and craftsmanship.
A simple and cost-effective method where the end of one board is joined to the face of another using glue, nails, or screws. While easy to execute, these joints lack the strength of more interlocking designs and is typically reinforced or used in concealed areas.
This joinery method is commonly used in five-piece cabinet doors. The molded profile (stick) fits into a coping cut (cope) for a seamless joint. It provides clean corners, added strength, and a refined aesthetic.
Tongue and groove joints interlock a protruding “tongue” from one board into a matching groove on another. They are often used in cabinet back panels and flooring applications to allow for expansion and contraction while maintaining a tight fit.
Miter joints are formed by cutting two pieces at an angle, usually 45 degrees, and joining them to form a corner. While often reinforced, they are commonly used for door frames and decorative trims for a clean, seamless appearance.
A dado joint is formed by cutting a channel across one piece of wood so another can fit snugly into it at a 90-degree angle. This method is commonly used in cabinet carcass construction and shelving for added strength and stability.
A rabbet joint is created by cutting a recess into the edge of a piece of wood so another piece can fit into it. This joint increases glue surface area and provides added support, particularly in back panels and cabinet frames.
This classic woodworking joint consists of a projecting tenon that fits into a matching mortise hole. Common in face frames and structural joints, it offers excellent strength and durability without sacrificing appearance.
Lap joints connect two pieces by overlapping them. Variations include half laps and cross laps. These joints are frequently used in face frame assembly or back panel construction for simplicity and strength.
Unfinished cabinets leave the wood surface raw and exposed—ideal for custom finishing on-site. These cabinets must be sealed to protect the material and preserve its appearance over time.
Paint offers a solid, uniform finish that hides wood grain and imperfections. Available in endless color options, painted cabinets provide a clean, modern, or classic look depending on the style and hue selected.
Wood stain enhances the natural grain of the wood while offering protection and color depth. Available in transparent, semi-transparent, or solid finishes, stained cabinets highlight the wood’s character.
Distressing gives cabinets a timeworn, vintage appearance using techniques like rubbing, glazing, wire-brushing, or burnishing. Ideal for traditional and rustic designs.
Wood veneer is a thin layer of real wood bonded to a substrate like MDF or particleboard. It provides the look of solid wood at a lower cost and with improved stability.
Melamine is a resin-saturated paper finish applied to particleboard or MDF. It is highly durable, easy to clean, and comes in a wide range of colors and patterns—from solid hues to realistic woodgrain.
Thermofoil is a vinyl film that is heat-sealed over engineered substrates for a seamless look. It resists moisture and is easy to maintain, making it a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Interior cabinet surfaces should be non-porous for easy cleaning and hygiene. Common options include melamine, laminate, or light-toned veneer to improve visibility and durability inside the cabinet.
Crown molding is installed at the top of cabinets where they meet the ceiling. It adds a decorative finish and helps conceal gaps for a polished, built-in look. Available in a variety of profiles, it enhances both classic and transitional cabinetry.
Applied at the bottom edge of base cabinets, base molding—also known as baseboard trim—provides a clean visual transition to the floor. It also helps protect cabinet bottoms from everyday wear.
Filler molding, or filler strips, are used to cover gaps between cabinets or between a cabinet and the wall. They help align door swings and ensure a seamless, custom-fit installation. Styles range from simple flat fillers to decorative beaded or fluted profiles.
Scribe molding is a thin, flexible trim used to hide gaps or inconsistencies between cabinets and walls, ceilings, or floors. Ideal for uneven surfaces, it creates a clean line and finished appearance, especially at the top of crown or along toe kicks.
Rope molding features a twisted rope-like design and is typically used as an accent detail. It is often applied beneath crown or between stacked cabinet units to enhance traditional or ornate designs.
Dentil molding showcases a repeating square block pattern, reminiscent of classical architecture. It is a decorative option most often used in crown applications to create visual texture and elegance.
S2S lumber has been planed smooth on the front and back faces, while the edges remain rough. This option is ideal when edge profiles or final dimensions will be customized during fabrication. It offers flexibility for shops that prefer to shape and finish edges in-house.
S4S lumber has been planed smooth on all four sides—faces and edges—creating a clean, square profile that is ready for immediate use. S4S stock is commonly used for cabinet face frames, trim, and molding where consistency and time savings are priorities.
Edge-profiled molding refers to trim pieces that have been shaped with a decorative contour along one or more edges. These profiles are cut or routed into the wood to add visual interest, enhance transitions between surfaces, or complement cabinet styles.
Common edge profiles include:
Edge profiles are often applied to crown, base, and filler moldings to match the overall design aesthetic. They are available in standard styles or can be custom machined for one-of-a-kind applications.
We build our commercial cabinets using full-access, frameless construction for streamlined installation and maximum interior storage. Common materials include thermally fused laminate (TFL), high-pressure laminate (HPL), and melamine-faced particleboard, all finished with durable PVC edge banding. Joinery methods such as dowels, confirmat screws, or cam-locks ensure strength and consistency.
Lewis commercial cabinets are designed to install cleanly and securely—whether wall-mounted or floor-based. Metal bases or cantilevered configurations are often used in ADA-compliant spaces like healthcare or break rooms, offering durability with easy access and cleaning underneath.
Layouts are tailored to fit workflow needs, often using modular upper and lower units, open shelving, and secure compartments. From lockable supply storage to accessible drawer banks, our systems are easy to configure and built for real-world use.
Hardware is selected for performance. We offer full-extension slides, soft-close hinges, heavy-duty pulls, and ADA-compliant options. Where required, security locks or antimicrobial finishes can be specified to meet commercial and institutional standards.
Lewis commercial cabinetry can be built to meet ADA accessibility, fire ratings, and AWI or SEFA durability guidelines. Whether you are designing for a public building or a tenant improvement project, we’ll help ensure the cabinetry meets your project specs.
Closet systems can be either wall-mounted (suspended above the floor) or floor-mounted (resting directly on the ground). Wall-mounted systems provide a lighter visual profile and easier cleaning underneath, while floor-mounted systems offer more robust support and often include built-in base trim or decorative toe kicks.
Vertical partitions divide the system into functional bays, creating separate storage zones. They support structural integrity and help organize the closet into dedicated areas for hanging, shelving, and drawers.
Modular units are often broken into interior sections such as single-hang, double-hang, adjustable shelving, and drawer stacks. These sections are designed to maximize storage efficiency while adapting to user needs—perfect for wardrobes, linen closets, or utility storage.
Closet hardware includes full-extension drawer glides, soft-close mechanisms, adjustable shelf supports, hanging rods, and mounting brackets. High-quality hardware ensures smooth function, clean aesthetics, and long-term durability—hallmarks of a professional-grade system.
Cabinets without a center stile.
Two wood components with flat edges and ends that are butted together and fastened.
A strip of hardwood installed on the back panel for added hanging strength.
Drilling a hole at an angle in one workpiece, joining it to a second using a self-tapping screw.
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