Kitchen cabinets are an essential part of any kitchen design. They provide storage space for dishes, food, and more. But one detail that many homeowners wonder about is – do kitchen cabinets have backs? The answer is – it depends! Keep reading to learn more about kitchen cabinet backs, whether they are necessary, and the pros and cons of having a backed or frameless kitchen cabinet design.
What is a Kitchen Cabinet Back?
The back of a kitchen cabinet is simply the inside vertical panel opposite the cabinet doors. Traditional kitchen cabinets have a box-like design, with the cabinet back forming one side of the box.
The back is typically made of plywood, hardboard, or sometimes a thinner panel material. It attaches to the top, bottom, and side pieces that create the cabinet box.
The inclusion of a back panel gives the cabinet more structure and rigidity. The back helps square up the cabinet box during construction and installation. It also provides an additional surface to mount cabinet hardware and shelving standards.
Do All Kitchen Cabinets Have Backs?
Whether a cabinet has a back panel or not depends on the cabinet construction:
Framed Cabinets
Framed or box-style cabinets include a back panel as part of their design. The cabinet box construction utilizes four pieces – the top, bottom, sides, and back.
Installing a back is necessary with a framed cabinet to complete the box shape. It helps provide sturdiness for the cabinet and gives a surface to mount hardware.
So framed kitchen cabinets will always have a back panel. This is the most common type of cabinet construction.
Frameless Cabinets
Frameless or European-style cabinets have a different design. Instead of a box shape, frameless cabinets utilize thick side panels with holes pre-drilled for shelving. The cabinets do not include a separate back panel piece.
Frameless cabinets do not have a back, because their unique side panel design provides sturdiness without needing a separate back piece. The cabinet ends up with contents fully visible from the side when the doors are open.
Pros and Cons of Cabinets With and Without Backs
Whether it’s better to have a backed or backless cabinet is largely based on personal preference. But here are some pros and cons of kitchen cabinets with and without backs:
Backed Cabinet Pros
- Provides structural rigidity
- Allows for attaching cabinet hardware
- Gives a finished interior appearance
- Can run utilities between cabinets
Backed Cabinet Cons
- Uses more material, so typically more expensive
- Can make cabinet interiors darker
- Limits accessibility to plumbing and wiring
Frameless/Backless Cabinet Pros
- Saves on materials and cost
- Creates lighter, more open interior
- Allows easy access to plumbing and wiring
Frameless/Backless Cons
- Provides less structural support
- Hardware must be attached through the sides
- Contents visible from the side when doors open
Should Kitchen Wall Cabinets Have Backs?
Wall cabinets follow a similar principle in terms of backs. Framed wall cabinets will have a typical cabinet back, while frameless wall cabinets will be backless with just side panels.
The one exception is that some homeowners choose to save costs by having no backs on their wall cabinets, even when using framed cabinetry. This allows easy access to run wiring and utilities through the wall cabinets.
However, eliminating backs on wall cabinets can make them less sturdy and prone to racking (leaning sideways). Fully backing wall cabinets is the best way to keep them rigid and prevent contents from falling out the sides.
For frameless cabinets, skipping backs is perfectly normal and does not impact function or strength. But for framed cabinets, keeping the backs is generally recommended for optimal performance.
Can You Remove the Back of Kitchen Cabinets?
For existing kitchens, some homeowners explore removing cabinet backs to open up space. This is possible to do, but does come with some downsides.
Removing the back panel of an already installed framed cabinet will compromise the structure. The cabinet will be more prone to loosening up over time, leading to issues like:
- Doors not lining up properly
- Shelves becoming crooked or detaching
- Overall weakening of the cabinet box
Taking out the back panel also exposes unfinished cabinet interior sides and edges. These were not designed or finished to be shown. The sides will likely require additional edgebanding and sanding for a presentable appearance.
The unfinished cabinet edges can also make containing contents more difficult. Small items may slide out the back without a back panel to hold them in.
In most cases, it is not recommended to remove the back panel of already constructed and installed kitchen cabinets. This will undermine the integrity of framed cabinets. It is best to choose cabinets designed without backs if an open concept is preferred.
Typical Thickness of Cabinet Backs
For traditional framed cabinets, the thickness of the back panel typically matches the thickness of the cabinet box sides. This creates a uniform appearance.
Common thicknesses for cabinet backs include:
- 1⁄4 inch – Lower end plywood and flat panel materials
- 3⁄8 inch – Typical plywood thickness for cabinet sides and backs
- 1⁄2 inch – High-end plywood and solid wood cabinets
Thicker back panels provide more sturdiness. But anything in the 1⁄4 inch to 1⁄2 inch range is sufficient for most cabinetry.
Materials for Kitchen Cabinet Backs
Kitchen cabinet backs are commonly made from plywood, hardboard, or MDF. The back panel material generally matches the interior sides to give a consistent look and feel inside the cabinet.
Plywood
Plywood is the most popular choice for cabinet backs. It has excellent strength and structural properties. Plywood comes in different thicknesses and grades. Higher grades, like furniture or cabinet grade, provide smoother finishes.
Hardboard
Hardboard is an economical option for cabinet backs. It consists of compressed wood fibers. While not as strong as plywood, hardboard is lightweight and provides decent rigidity at a lower cost.
MDF
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is another composite wood product sometimes used for cabinet backs. MDF is stable and smooth, making finishing easy. But it is heavy and weaker than plywood or hardboard.
Other Materials
Other less common back panel materials include tempered hardboard, acrylic, and pegboard or slatted panels for extra ventilation. Solid wood or glass can be used for decorative backs.
Can You Use Different Material for Cabinet Backs?
It’s possible to use a different material for the back than the cabinet box sides. Cabinet makers often use a lower grade of plywood or thinner panel material for the back. This saves cost without significantly reducing strength.
However, there are a few considerations when using a different back material:
- The back panel thickness should match the side thickness for consistency.
- The material should have similar finishing properties to the sides.
- Light colored backs can make interiors brighter.
- A weaker material may reduce overall cabinet sturdiness.
Using materials like tempered hardboard or acrylic for the back can be a functional choice. But in general, keeping the back panel material consistent with the rest of the cabinet leads to the best results. An experienced kitchen designer can advise on the best options.
Can You Use Beaded Paneling for Cabinet Backs?
Beaded paneling is an affordable and visually appealing option for cabinet backs. Beaded paneling consists of a plywood or hardboard sheet with a decorative pattern of beads or grooves.
The grooves provide a shaker style look, while still maintaining a strong panel suitable for cabinet back use. Beaded panels made specifically for cabinetry also typically have one solid wood side that can be installed facing inward.
Pros of using beaded panels for cabinet backs:
- Provides an attractive decorative interior.
- Offers natural strength of solid wood edge.
- Allows for finishing consistent with cabinet box.
- Visually lighter than flat panel.
Using beaded panels is a great way to save on cost versus solid wood while still gaining an upscale back panel look. The panels should be sturdy enough for standard cabinet use. Just ensure the panels meet kitchen cabinet grade standards.
Installing New Cabinet Backs
When installing new kitchen cabinets, proper back panel attachment is important for achieving a sturdy result. Here are some tips for installing cabinet backs:
- Cut the back panel to size allowing for the thickness of the side panels.
- Apply wood glue to the back edge of cabinet sides before attaching back.
- Use nails or screws to securely fasten the back into sides every 6-12 inches around perimeter.
- Make sure back panel is straight and corners meet properly during installation.
- Sand or plane back panel edges even with cabinet sides for flush fit.
- Seal raw back panel edges with appropriate finish matching cabinet interiors.
Attaching the back properly ensures the cabinet maintains its optimal strength and structural integrity. A securely installed back is essential for preventing cabinet distortion over time.
Can You Only Have One Cabinet Back?
For larger base cabinets like a sink base or range drawer base, you can utilize just a single back panel. The single panel typically goes in the center.
However, including at least two back panels is better for providing optimal support across wider cabinets. Having minimal or no backs allows the weight of sink base contents to pull the sides backward.
Some recommendations for wide base cabinets like sinks or ranges:
- Include at least two back panels, splitting the width into thirds.
- Use a full width back for maximum sturdiness.
- Add an extra middle support panel secured between top and bottom.
While a single back can technically work, it provides less rigidity. Including two or more back panels or other supports prevents cabinet distortion or damage over time.
Can You Put Pegboard on the Back of Cabinets?
Pegboard makes an excellent material choice for cabinet backs when extra ventilation or access is desired. Perforated hardboard pegboard panels allow for air circulation. The holes also permit attaching hooks, bins, or other organizing accessories.
Using pegboard back panels works well in situations like:
- Pantry cabinets – Allows ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. Hooks can be used to hang and organize food items.
- Laundry and utility rooms – Hooks provide easy access to cleaning tools or supplies.
- Craft and hobby spaces – Pegboard allows hooks to hang tools and materials.
- Garage storage – Useful for organizing tools, hardware, and more.
Pegboard cabinet backs combine the ventilation and visibility of a frameless cabinet with the sturdiness of a framed cabinet design. Just ensure the pegboard material is hardboard that meets cabinet grade standards for best durability.
Conclusion
The decision about whether to have kitchen cabinet backs comes down to the type of cabinet construction – framed or frameless. While framed cabinets include back panels, frameless cabinets skip backs entirely.
Backed cabinets provide more structural support but use more material. Backless cabinets create open, visible interiors at a lower cost. There are good reasons to choose either design.
Wall cabinets usually benefit from having backs, unless open shelves are preferred. Be sure to attach any back panels securely during original cabinet installation for optimal sturdiness and function.
With the right kitchen design and cabinetry needs in mind, both backed and backless cabinets can make excellent choices that provide years of service organizing essential kitchen belongings.