Overlay is mostly an aesthetic choice. There are multiple kinds
of overlay, and you can associate them with multiple kinds of kitchen
designs. When choosing an overlay, you should go through catalogs, look on
Pinterest, take pictures of your friends’ favorite kitchens, and develop a
vision for what vibe and style of kitchen you want. Then, you can choose the
overlay that best suits your cabinet.
Types of
Overlay
There are multiple types of overlay. If you don’t
know, overlay is essentially how much the cabinet doors cover the cabinetry
around it. So most of the types of overlay are self-explanatory, but there is
more detail below.
Full Overlay
Full
overlay doors leave almost no space, meaning that the cabinet door almost
completely cover the cabinets. There will be only a quarter inch or so
between the doors. This leads to completely covered cabinets. These cabinets
are a fairly traditional look. You often see it in beautiful wood cabinetry.
This kind of overlay is beautiful and give the cabinets a custom look. Full
overlay cabinets require door handles because they would be difficult to open
otherwise.
Partial Overlay
Partial overlay
cabinetry is just what it sounds like – the doors only partially cover the
cabinetry. There is often one or more inches of space between the doors. This
style does not require hardware and is easy to install. These are fairly
traditional looks as well and are cheaper than full overlay
cabinets.
Zero Overlay
These doors are
fully inset, with no covering of the cabinet face. These doors require a
special kind of hinge to install. They are often made with flat, laminate
cabinet doors – they are often used in hospitals and other places where
easy-to-clean cabinetry is important. These kinds of cabinets can be made
with other kinds of doors too, though, and create a much more modern feel
than other kinds of overlay. They are often used in minimalist style kitchens
or in homes that need a push into the modern century. Don’t think these doors
have to be flat or boring though – zero overlay doors can still have beading
or other features. These doors need hardware as well in order to be able to
properly open.
