Shaker Style Cabinets Vs. Raised Panel: What Are The Major Differences?
When it comes to cabinetry there are several different styles that you can choose from including shaker cabinets and raised panel cabinets. Some people are overwhelmed with this decision so we’ve compared them both for you.
Shaker cabinets and raised panels look completely different. Shakers have a flat panel while the raised ones have, of course, raised panels. Shakers have a more simple design, and they cost less than raised panels. However, with the raised panel you get a bit more design. It’s up to your taste for what you choose.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into comparing shaker cabinets and raised panel cabinets so you know which ones you prefer so you don’t get caught up at the store.
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Difference Between Shaker Cabinets And Raised Panel
Both the Shaker and the raised panel styles give a kitchen a distinct personality, and each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
We’ve listed the distinctions between the two based on a variety of characteristics and criteria below:
- Appearance: The appearance of Shaker-style cabinets and raised panel cabinets is the most visible distinction. Shaker cabinets feature a flat, recessed center panel, whereas raised panel cabinets have a central panel that is slightly higher than the outer frame, as previously stated. In comparison to Shaker-style cabinets, raised panel cabinets offer a more three-dimensional appearance.
- Simple design: Shaker-type cabinets have a considerably simpler design because both the center panel and the outer frame of the door are plain. Raised panel cabinets, on the other hand, may have grooved, carved, or laid with some form of ornamental feature around the center panel.
- Style: Shaker style cabinets are more contemporary due to their simplicity and minimalist appeal, and are frequently utilized in transitional, rustic, and modern kitchen designs. Raised panel cabinets, on the other hand, are most commonly found in traditional kitchens due to their formal style. On this page, you’ll find more rustic kitchen cabinet designs.
- Installation: The door style of the cabinet or drawer front is referred to as raised panels or Shaker style. They do not refer to the kitchen cabinetry as a whole, which means that the complexity, manner, and cost of installation will vary based on the overall design and layout of the cabinetry, independent of the door style utilized.
Both types of doors are available with full overlays or semi-overlays and are framed or frameless. If they are both built in the same way, then installation will be the same for both.
Frameless Cabinetry
Frameless cabinetry, on the other hand, does away with the usage of a face frame, leaving only the cabinet box or carcase. This is the European manner of cabinet making, and it is commonly seen in more current and modern cabinet designs.
For added strength and stability, frameless cabinets use a thicker cabinet carcase. The doors are immediately linked to the cabinet’s sides, giving it a cleaner appearance.
The stiles between two cabinet doors are likewise removed in frameless cabinet design, allowing for greater “full access.”
Framed And Frameless Options
Kitchen cabinets in the Shaker and raised panel styles are available in both framed and frameless construction. Raised panel cabinets, on the other hand, are more difficult to find in frameless construction due to their traditional appearance.
Shaker cabinets, on the other hand, are more likely to use frameless construction due to their sleeker, more contemporary appearance.
- Availability. Both prefabricated and custom-made cabinet styles are easily accessible on the market. Both Shaker style and raised panel cabinets are quite popular, and most manufacturers have them in stock or can make them to order.
- Maintenance. The type of door of a kitchen cabinet has no bearing on the amount of upkeep required. This element is more dependent on the type of material and finishing used than on the design. So whether it’s a Shaker style or a raised panel, the upkeep will be the same.
Along the border of the panel or the outer frames, both types of cabinet door styles tend to collect dust and other sorts of dirt. The dirt is more visible the larger the overlay.
Shaker Cabinets Pros And Cons
Shaker cabinets are internationally popular and remain one of the most popular kitchen cabinet styles available. What additional qualities make it a worthwhile purchase for your home, other than its clean aesthetics?
Pros Of Shaker Style Cabinets
- Looks clean and uncluttered. Shaker cabinets are a fantastic example of the design idea “less is more,” with enduring practical appeal, a minimalist style, and a highly clean appearance that can make a big effect in a kitchen setting.
- The charm is timeless. The Shaker style, which is considered a “classic” cabinet design, is simply ageless and lovely. Even in the years to come, it will never go out of style. Furthermore, you can quickly adjust its appearance to stay up with trends by simply applying a fresh coat of paint or replacing the hardware.
- Versatility. Traditional, transitional, contemporary, and modern kitchen styles and themes are all acceptable with Shaker kitchen cabinets.
- Shaker cabinets also provide a solid basis for experimenting with the rest of your kitchen’s design. It goes well with a wide range of flooring, worktops, backsplashes, and other design components in the room.
- Charming in every way. A Shaker cabinet’s appealing appearance can instantly make a home feel welcome and cozy. Its warm charm makes it ideal for use in rustic settings.
Other kitchen cabinet styles are more pricey. Shaker-type cabinets are less expensive than more complex kitchen cabinet door designs since they have minimal adornment.
The product is readily available on the market. Shaker-style cabinets are readily available from many cabinet makers and wholesalers, and they can also be easily customized by a knowledgeable professional.
Cons Of Shaker Style Cabinets
Cleaning is more difficult than with slab-style cabinets. Cleaning Shaker cabinets is a little more difficult than slab or flat door cabinets, despite their low maintenance reputation, because residue can collect in the corners of the center panel.
They are, however, easier to keep than ornamental kitchen cabinet doors since they lack excessive embellishments that could trap trash or grease residues.
Too traditional for today’s kitchens. Shaker cabinets suit modern kitchen styles, although slab door kitchen cabinets may be better suited to ultra-modern and minimalist kitchen concepts for some homeowners.
Raised Panel Cabinets Pros And Cons
In traditional design homes, raised panel cabinets are a perennial favorite. What additional qualities make it a worthwhile investment for your home, other than its class and formal appearance?
Pros of Raised Panel Cabinets
Some of the benefits of raised panel cabinets are as follows:
- The raised panel gives the cabinet door design an extra depth. In comparison to slab-style and recessed style doors, the center panel, which floats in the center of the frame, adds depth and character to kitchen cabinets.
- Options for railing and molding are available. You can choose from a variety of rails and moldings to include in your raised panel cabinet door and drawer fronts, as well as a variety of decorative alternatives.
- There are numerous wood kinds and finishes to choose from. Raised panel cabinets, like Shaker-style cabinets, are often made of high-quality solid timbers that can be finished with a variety of materials.
- The product is readily available on the market. Raised panel cabinets are readily available from many cabinet manufacturers and suppliers, and they can also be simply customized by a knowledgeable professional.
- Typically used in framed construction. Raised panel cabinets, as previously said, are more usually found in framed construction, which makes the cabinet sturdier and stronger.
Cons Of Raised Panel Cabinets
Other cabinet door styles are more pricey. Cabinet doors with raised panels cost more than those with recessed or Shaker-style or slab-style panels.
In frameless construction, it’s difficult to come by. Because most cabinet makers make traditional-style cabinets in a framed way, raised panel doors are tough to come by in frameless construction.
Related Guide: Are Raised Panel Cabinets Out Of Style?
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Shaker Cabinets vs. Raised Panel Cost
Kitchen cabinets are priced in a variety of ways, with many cost elements such as the materials used, the finishing, the boxed structure, and the design all contributing to the ultimate cost. The cost of labor to construct a cabinet door is highly dependent on the style chosen.
Raised panel doors are usually more expensive than Shaker-style cabinets. Labor fees for Shaker-style cabinets are typically around $16, and labor fees for raised panel doors are often around $30.
Raised cabinets are also more expensive than Shaker style cabinets for a 10 × 10 kitchen with all plywood cabinets painted in white paint.
To create Shaker-style cabinets for a 1010 kitchen, the materials alone will cost around $2,706, while raised panel doors would cost around $3,392.
The average cost of installation for both types of cabinets is $2000, bringing the total project cost to $4,706 for Shaker kitchen cabinets and $5,392 for raised panel cabinets.
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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