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How to Build Cabinet Frames & Panels

Humidity and temperature changes can warp wood cabinetry, but a technique known as frame and panel construction can combat it. Because wood is most stable along its length by joining four frame pieces at right angles to each other, the frame's floating panel can expand and contract without distorting the frame. Increase the longevity of your woodworking projects with frame and panel construction.

Steps
7
Difficulty
Moderate
Time Required
1Weekend
Estimated Cost
$$$
White chest of drawers in a living room

What You Need for This Project

Tools

Circular Saw

Circular Saw
Table saw

Table Saw
Four blue and yellow clamps of various sizes

Clamps
router

Router
Ear protection

Ear Protection
Dust mask

Dust Mask
Safety Glasses

Safety Goggles

Materials

Bottle of Elmer

Wood Glue
Wood panel

Wood Panels

Mill the Frame Pieces

STEP ONE

Cut the Rails to Length

In most cases, the rails fit inside of the stiles, so you will need to subtract twice the stile width from the overall frame width to derive the rail length. If you are using tenons to connect the rails and stiles, add twice the tenon length to the rail length to account for the extra stock required for the tenons.

Man pushing a piece of wood through a saw
STEP TWO

Cut the Stiles to Length

Cut them to match the finished height required for your panel. If the stiles are going to be capped by the rails, use the techniques above to derive the correct stile length.

Man pushing a piece of wood through a saw
STEP THREE

Cut Blind Tenons in Both Ends of Each Rail

Lay out and cut mortises in the stiles. If you are using dowels or biscuit joints, it is not necessary to cut tenons in the rails.

Graphic showing a mortise and tenon joint
STEP FOUR

Cut Grooves on the Inside Edges of the Rails & Stiles

Rout or cut a groove in the inside edge of each rail and stile to receive the panel. Size the grooves to match the panel's width and make them deep enough so the distance between opposing grooves is 1/8 inches to 1/4 in. greater than the length or width of the panel. The groove can continue to the ends of the pieces (rails or stiles) that will be capped, but it should stop at the mortise of the cap piece.

Dry fit the frame pieces and check for fit and square. Adjust the pieces as necessary.

Pieces of grooves in wood with router bits beside them

Good to Know

For good sheet panels, 1/8 in. is enough space between the edges of the panel and the bottoms of the grooves.

For solid wood panels, it's best to leave 1/4 in. of space so the panel doesn't distort the frame as it shrinks and swells.

Make a Flat Panel

STEP ONE

Cut the Flat Panel

For panels made from 1x stock, glue-up the stock so that it is slightly wider and longer than needed to make the finished panel. For panels made from plywood or other sheet goods, go to step two.

Cut the panel so there is 1/8 in. to 1/4 in. of play between the edges of the panel and the bottoms of the grooves in the assembled frame.

Hand applying wood glue to wood

Make a Raised Panel

STEP ONE

Glue, Cut & Plane the Raised Panel

  • Glue-up the stock so that it is slightly wider and longer than needed to make the finished panel.
  • Cut the panel so there is 1/4 in. of play between the edges of the panel and the bottoms of the grooves in the assembled frame.
  • Use a table saw, hand plane, or table-mounted router to raise the panel's edges. You'll be removing stock from the face around the edges to make the panel appear to rise from the frame.
    • Two hands using a router on wood

    Assemble the Frame & Panel

    STEP ONE

    Dry Fit the Entire Assembly

    Place the top and bottom rail tenons into one of the stiles. The grooves in each piece should face the interior of the assembly. Slide the panel into the rail grooves until it seats in the stile groove. Cap the rails and panel with the second stile. The panel should move slightly inside the frame to allow for seasonal wood movement. Check the frame and panel for fit and square, adjusting as necessary.

    Once the adjustments are complete, glue, assemble, and clamp the frame and panel. Wipe away any excess glue that squeezes out of the joints.

    Allow the glue to dry completely before unclamping.

    Graphic showing mortise and tenon joint, rail, and stile

    How To Terms

    Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes, and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors, or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures.

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