Shaker cabinet doors are arguably the most popular among kitchen remodels. The sleek, simplistic design combines traditional and modern kitchen styles. The most common colors of shaker cabinet doors also work in tangent with most, if not all, countertop color options available.
Many cabinet stores carry this versatile and flexible style in stock and in various colors. Although the design of the shaker door looks very similar, the construction is different amongst the different manufacturers, with some using solid wood construction to ensure durability and a unique finish.
There are two different styles of door options: 5-piece and single-piece doors.
The 5-piece and single-piece doors are made with different materials and have varying pros and cons. Upon shopping, these two types of doors appear to be the same from far away. The difference comes when one opens the cabinets and inspects some details up close.
5-Piece Construction Shaker Cabinet Door
photo: Wood Working Network
The shaker door is assembled from 5 separate pieces. The outside frame has joints that lock the centerpiece in and hold the parts together. The two side stiles and two rails lock the center panel in place. The stiles and rails have joints that prevent the center panel from moving around or falling out of place.
The dimensions of the cabinet boxes influence the construction and installation of the 5-piece shaker cabinet doors, including the placement of hinge holes and the cutting of the 3/4′ MDF for the doors.
Drawer fronts will have the most different designs based on the manufacturer.
Pros of Five-Piece Shaker Cabinet Door Construction
Here are the advantages of a five-piece Shaker cabinet door.
Variety
Since the five-piece shaker cabinet door is made by assembling five smaller pieces together, the options are limitless. Different companies will feature different wood types, wood grains, colors, and even assembly methods. Much like car manufacturers, many manufacturers may make the door similarly but assemble it in different ways.
Due to its low defect rate and lower material cost, the five-piece construction has become the industry standard for shaker-style doors. Manufacturers don’t need to have a whole piece of wood to make the doors, allowing for greater material flexibility.
Nowadays, many doors’ center panels are made from MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), which offers stability and reduces the likelihood of warping. This contributes to the variety and adaptability of five-piece construction doors.
Durable and Long-Lasting with Solid Wood Construction
Five-piece doors are commonly made of strong wood, including maple and walnut. Since they will be assembled from smaller pieces, they can be cut from a wide variety of wood options.
The durability of some wood translates to the cabinets. Wood, like maple, is known for its color and strength. Compared to lower-quality wood like MDF, it will last the test of time.
Sharp Corners
The 5-piece construction door is assembled where the edges of the shaker design are very crisp. The stiles and rails meet the center panel, forming perfect 90-degree corners. This detail may not be the most sought-after, but different cabinet colors and finishes may bring light to this feature to add that much-wanted contrast.
Cons of Five-Piece Shaker Doors
Here are the disadvantages of Five-Piece Shaker Doors.
Hairline cracking
When the temperature changes, wood will naturally tend to warp and bend. The painted lines of the outside rails and stiles are typically locked together by the joints and painted after assembly. Over time, the warp and bend of wood can cause the paint to separate over the seams where the rails and stiles meet.
Certain five-piece doors will naturally show the seams as part of the design to mitigate and reduce hairline cracks that may appear.
The extent of hairline cracking also depends on the materials used and the assembly process employed by the factory. High-quality materials and precise assembly techniques can significantly reduce the risk of cracking and ensure better durability. Therefore, finding a reputable store or place to buy cabinets is very important.
Choosing a trusted provider ensures that you get cabinets made with superior craftsmanship and materials, minimizing issues like hairline cracking.
Wood grain
Many people love the look of shaker doors for their smooth, clean finish. However, the natural characteristics of wood mean that wood grain can vary and is not always consistent. Some designs of wood grain will look smooth, while others may be more prominent and stand out. As inconsistent as the rings of a tree, the wood grains on cabinet doors will not always be uniform.
This inconsistency is particularly noticeable with stained colors. The five-piece construction can result in different color tones across the pieces due to the natural variations in the wood. While some people appreciate this as it highlights each door’s natural beauty and uniqueness, others may find it less appealing.
The natural variation in wood grain and color can be seen as a feature that adds character, but it can also be viewed as a flaw by those who prefer a more uniform appearance.
Single-Piece Construction of Shaker Cabinet Door
Cut from a singular piece of wood, single-piece construction shaker-style doors are created by cutting the center area out of a solid piece of wood. Rather than having a separate piece for the interior recessed area, a router drills the center area out of the cut door.
This means the shaker door is perfectly cut from solid material. Having the center drilled out means the end product is sleek and clean without any seams or separation.
How does a single-piece construction affect the drawer front? It is harder to achieve. Many manufacturers may not be able to cut the shaker recessed area from such a small area.
The router used to cut the inlay needs a surface to move to make the corners smooth. If the router were to cut the door, the shaker gap would only be about 3” wide, which is too small.
Thus, the drawer front may end up with a flat, smooth surface without any design. Some people may want a full shaker design on all surfaces. Those looking for full consistency will look to 5-piece construction shaker cabinet doors. Having a full, solid piece has its own benefits.
Pros of Single-Piece Shaker Door Construction
Here are the advantages of single-piece shaker doors for your cabinets.
No Movement Between the Joints
During temperature changes, wood may warp and bend. Since a 5-piece construction door is typically locked by just the joints of the outer frame, the center stile may tend to feel loose. Certain 5-piece doors may feel flimsy if the center panel is not fully locked by the joints and can even sound hollow.
A solid single-piece door will not have these issues. How the door comes is how it will be. Without any stiles or rails, the single-piece door is solid and sturdy.
No Hairline Cracks or Seams
As a 5-piece construction door, the outside frame comprises four parts. These parts are interlocked by joints that lock the door together.
Naturally, after being painted, the door will still show seam lines between each section of the door. Single-piece construction will not have any of those. The end product is a clean door without any separation or distractions.
Smooth Finish
As the center panel is cut from a single piece of wood, single-piece doors have a very smooth finish. The seams on an assembled 5-piece door may be painted over but may still be slightly visible and present on touch. Single-piece doors will not have these interferences or any hairline cracks.
Affordable
Fewer pieces result in less cost. Five-piece doors need to be assembled, and the joints need to be accurate to guarantee the door does not fall apart.
The labor to cut and assemble the joints adds up to five-piece shaker cabinet doors. Single-piece doors do not need assembly and just need to be painted. The end result is a cheaper overall cost for doors that are single-piece construction.
Cons of Single-Piece Shaker Doors
Let’s check the disadvantages of single-piece shaker door construction.
Rounded Edges in Shaker Design
Since the center panel is cut out from the door, the shaker cabinet door inlay will not have corners that are perfectly 90 degrees. The router cannot cut out sharp corners compared to how the edges come together with 5-piece assembly doors.
This feature is not as relevant from a distance. The close-up details may be extremely cosmetic compared to the other features of the shaker door’s single-piece construction.
Warping and Cracking
A single-piece door doesn’t change the wood’s properties. Wood will naturally warp and crack under extreme weather conditions. Excessive heat or cold can cause wood to warp or shrink, and pushing wood past its limits can even cause it to crack.
While five-piece doors are separated into sections to alleviate the potential for cracking, a single-piece door may still face these issues despite its durability.
Some manufacturers use one-piece construction with HDF (High-Density Fiberboard) or MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) instead of solid wood, which may reduce the chances of warping and cracking. However, if customers prefer solid wood and one-piece construction, they must be aware of the cons.
Potential defects might result in extra labor costs and time delays. For instance, we previously sold our Malibu White Shaker doors, which featured one-piece construction with solid wood as a selling point.
We have since stopped promoting them due to the high defect rate. While we can replace the doors under warranty, this process causes significant headaches for end users and contractors.
Less Available Options
Since single-piece shaker cabinet doors are cut from a single piece, they are painted and finished. This means that wood grain doors are rarely, if not available, single-piece doors. Single-piece doors are commonly made from softer wood and can have the center shaker pattern drilled out.
Cutting through wood graining can damage or ruin the look that wood grain provides for the aesthetic.
So Which Shaker Style Doors Are The Best?
photo: Wood Working Network
Each version of the shaker cabinet door has its own strengths and weaknesses. Depending on one’s preferences and choices, the opposite option may best suit one’s conditions and expectations for the kitchen remodel.
If preference is for material and wood grain surface, one would select 5-piece construction. Due to the assembly of the door, the 5-piece offers more options. Routers have a more challenging time cutting the inlay shaker into thicker material like walnut wood.
The various kinds of wood that show beautiful grain and detail will be available only in a 5-piece. Some wood grain options may be available in single-piece construction, but the higher-quality woods will be in 5-pieces.
Some want the full, smooth, and solid finish of a single-construction door. With door weight in mind, some 5-piece doors can become very heavy, especially with large doors. 24” single doors are the widest individual doors typically possible. Having a large door may be hard to install and adjust.
Not only that, 5-piece doors will typically have the same visual on the inside of the door as well. Single-piece construction will have a smooth shaker cut on the front and a flat, clean interior. No separation, no lines, no worry of cracks.
It is important to trim all the doors to the final dimension and ensure a proper fit within the cabinet opening, leaving a 3/32″ gap around them. This ensures straight cuts and perfectly flush edges.
Transform Your Kitchen With The Timeless Elegance of Shaker Cabinets
At Bestonlinecabinets, we understand that choosing the right cabinet doors is crucial for achieving the kitchen of your dreams. Our extensive selection of shaker cabinet doors offers both 5-piece and single-piece constructions, catering to diverse preferences and styles.
With our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we ensure that our cabinets not only look stunning but are also built to last. Explore our collection today and discover how we can help you transform your kitchen with timeless elegance and durability.
Ready to get started? Contact us now for a free consultation and take the first step toward your dream kitchen!
