Cabinets Kitchen cabinets can be either framed or frameless. The traditional framed cabinet, sometimes called American-style, uses a flat, rectangular frame to strengthen the box. This allows a single cabinet box to sturdily hang on its own.  Doors are attached to the front of this frame. While frameless kitchen cabinets can be installed singly, they lack the strengthening benefit of the frame.  They gain their strength in numbers. A row of ganged frameless cabinets is strong enough to hold the heaviest loads.  Frameless wall cabinets are further strengthened and "made square" by being attached to the wall.