Flush Overlay

• A flush overlay is when the cabinet door completely hides the frontal frame, including the two side panels that make the cabinet, which means that the only visible part of the cabinet is the cabinet door. This type of design is useful if the frame is created using plywood or particleboards that are less appealing to look at but are cheap for the construction budget. The flush overlay provides a smooth surface when cabinet units are placed next to one another.
  
  

Flush Overlay Considerations

• When building a flush overlay, builders must view the cabinet doors in relation to one another if the cabinets are located directly next to each other. Two cabinet doors with a flush overlay may rub against one another when closing the doors. In addition, flush overlay cabinet doors must be built using frameless overlay hinges, meaning that the hinges are designed to open the cabinet door despite covering the entire frontal frame.
  
  

Partial Overlay

• The cabinet door may rest on the frontal frame that sticks out about 1/2 inch from the sides. This design is called a partial overlay. The "partial" refers to the overlap of the cabinet door on the frontal frame, which is only a fraction of an inch depending on the specific design of the cabinet. The partial overlay adds to the overall depth of the cabinet as the door rests on the frame. If the cabinet door is 1/4-inch thick, the depth measurement is adjusted by 1/4 inch.
  
  

Full Insert

• A cabinet door that fits into the frontal frame is a full insert overlay, which provides a smooth and flat surface on the cabinets similar to a flush overlay. The cabinet door fits in between the cabinet's side frames, meaning that the door hinges are located inside the cabinet. A full insert allows the cabinet frame to be visible, so this is a useful design if the frame is made with high-quality and visually pleasing wood.