Household cabinetry may be comprised of several parts, such as wood veneers, melamine laminate, vinyl laminate, the cabinet box itself, a face frame, and a door. Higher-end cabinet manufacturers may utilize a hard wood box structure, instead of the more common particleboard construction. Cabinet boxes that are composed of particleboard or plywood are usually fitted with some type of overlay, such as laminate or wood veneer. North American designs for kitchen and have traditionally relied on a face frame approach; that is, the cabinet doors are attached to a frame that is affixed to the cabinet box. The frame and are made of hardwood, while the remaining components to the cabinet are particleboard. The downside to such a design is that the face might make it difficult to access the entire area within the cabinet. Thus, the European style, or frameless cabinets construction, is gaining popularity.

In construction, the door is directly attached to the face of the cabinet. Often, this allows for a seamless appearance and grants to the consumer access of the entire space inside the cabinet. Because of tighter and drawer clearances, modern cabinets have a cleaner form with narrower gaps between doors. The downside of the tighter clearance is that there is less of a margin for error when installing. When measuring wall clearance for frameless cabinetry, there is no need for concern about inexact dimensions, as the drawers and doors lay flush with the cabinet body. The lower margin of error can be tricky when installing upper level kitchen cabinets without frames. Framed cabinets can be shaved to fit areas that are not plumb; cabinets without frames usually require a mild sanding on the back of the box. In addition to aesthetics, frameless cabinets are usually sturdier and able to handle heavy usage better than traditional cabinets. Such cabinets require a sturdier box construction because all hardware will be attached directly to the box, as opposed to a wood frame. These cabinets are secured together through their boxes, instead of through a face frame. Consumers who wish to purchase hardwood should look to a custom manufacturer; cabinets that are purchased stock through a retailer are generally of a more economic construction.

When the consumer is ready to install his or her , proper steps should be taken to ensure a smooth, seamless process. Floors should be checked for levelness, as an unlevel floor will equal an unlevel cabinet surface. Shims can be used for mild inconsistencies, though major defects may require a buildup of the floor. Walls and corners should be inspected for plumb. It is rare that walls will be found to be perfectly plumb, but if the variance is much greater than ¼” self-installation is generally not recommended. Instead, a professional cabinet installer should be consulted. If the wall tip is minor, adjusting the top of the cabinet to the tip is considered acceptable. When installing bathroom cabinets, the consumer should remember that bathrooms tend to be more humid than other rooms of the house; because of the larger quantity of moisture present, laminate or pre-sealed cabinetry is recommended. If unfinished cabinets are purchased, the consumer should remember to seal them after staining. Excess moisture can swell the wood and cause black mold growth. Experts suggest using a catalyzing seal before a urethane finishing coat. Regardless of whether the consumer decides on framed or frame-free cabinets, if hardwood is chosen and must be sealed, he or she should remove doors and tape off hinges and hardware prior to staining and sealing.