Cabinet Door Styles
Dimensional depth and classic shadow lines for formal kitchens.
The raised panel door has a centre panel that is elevated above the face of the surrounding frame, creating a shadow line around the perimeter and a sense of architectural depth. The profile has been the dominant door style in formal American cabinetry for over a century, and for good reason: the dimensional detail catches light, ages gracefully, and photographs with authority.
In a Dan Craig Cabinetry kitchen, raised panel doors are built from solid Wisconsin hardwood with the panel routed and shaped in-house. The profile options range from a simple cove-and-bead to a more elaborate ogee, and the choice of profile affects the formal character of the finished room significantly. We bring sample doors to the consultation so you can see the difference in person.
Raised panel doors are the dominant profile in the formal residential stock across Barrington, Inverness, and Lake Forest, and in the older North Shore suburb renovations in Glenview and Wilmette. They are also common in Victorian-era renovation projects in the older Chicago suburbs and urban neighbourhoods like Lincoln Park and Old Town where the architectural language of the home supports the formal character of the profile.
Yes, with considerations. Raised panel doors can be installed as part of a refacing project, but the profile is more demanding than Shaker because the dimensional geometry requires precise alignment at every hinge point. If your existing boxes are in good condition and the layout is staying the same, a raised panel refacing is viable. If the boxes are uneven or the layout needs adjustment, a custom build is the better investment.
Based on the typical construction scenario for this door style, we recommend discussing the Cabinet Refacing route at your consultation.
Explore Cabinet Refacing ›A standard raised panel has a flat rectangular panel elevated above the frame. A cathedral panel has an arched top edge on the raised centre section, which adds a more ornate, formal character. Cathedral panels are typically used in traditional or Victorian kitchens where the architectural language of the home supports the additional detail.
Yes. Antique white, cream, and soft grey are common paint choices for raised panel doors in traditional kitchens. Hard Maple is the recommended substrate for painted raised panel because the tight grain minimises telegraphing at the panel-to-frame joint. We apply paint finishes by hand for a quality that holds up to the detail of the profile.
A solid hardwood raised panel door built with proper panel float tolerances will last for decades. The panel float, which is the deliberate gap between the panel edge and the frame groove, allows for wood movement with seasonal humidity changes without cracking the finish or warping the door. This is a detail that separates a craftsman-built door from a factory door.
We bring sample doors to every consultation. No trip to a showroom required. Schedule a free conversation and we will bring the options to you.
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