Face frame

A face frame in cabinet making is the frame fixed to the front of a cabinet carcass which obscures the edges of the carcass and provides the fixing point for doors and other external hardware.

A face frame provides strength to the front of a cabinet and is also considered a visual feature of particular styles of furniture.

Individual drawers are usually separated by mid-rails and mid-stiles occur between doors and wherever vertical partitions exist within the cabinet (see image Parts of a face frame).

The frame members are generally made from plain rectangular stock but are often visually enhanced through the application of cock beading or applied mouldings.

Typically a frame member will be between 25mm to 50mm in width, depending upon the application and the desired appearance of the cabinet.