Gap Spacing Between Full Overlay Doors

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Thoughts on how far apart to space full overlay doors. January 13, 2008

Question
We make and install frameless kitchen cabinets. We usually try to leave 1/8" per single box and 1/4" narrow for a double door box with full overlay hinges. Last client was whining that the slit in between a double box was too wide. Was less than 1/8th, no doors rub or even touch, and the doors line up beautifully with the drawers. Should I be making them larger? I'd like to hear your rules of thumb for spec'ing doors/drawer sizing in relation to box size.

Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From contributor P:
Our standard gap between doors and drawer faces is 3/32", while on occasion (such as the current job), we go down to 1/16" when requested to do so, depending on stability of the material. The size of the doors and drawer faces depends on if the box has a finished end (we use applied) on one or both ends, requiring a full gap to the edge of the box, or if the box abuts another, requiring half a gap per box.



From contributor R:
I think 1/4 is way too much space between doors. I like 1/32.


From contributor M:
I build frameless only in my shop and the standard I work with is, outside box dimension on a double door minus 1/4", divided by 2, equals door size, per door. Single units are outside dimension of box minus 1/8", equals door size. This way when all doors are installed you have an equal 1/8" spacing between every door. Drawer fronts are O.D. of box minus 1/8" for total drawer front width.


From the original questioner:
I agree that 1/4" is too big a gap between doors. I think going for 1/32" doesn't leave enough for expansion and contraction. Thanks, contributor M, that's exactly what I was looking for.