RTA End Panels

Do I Need Them? 

Everything you want to know about installing ‘off the shelf’ RTA – Ready to Assemble Cabinets, will not fit on this page.  So instead of everything, let’s just talk about End Panels. End Panels?  No, we’re not talking about judging the end result of your remodel.  End Panels are an important design consideration you may not be aware of.  So let’s change that.

An End Panel (or skin panel) is a finished panel that is placed over the end of any visible unfinished cabinet panel.  We use End Panels because the plywood used for frameless cabinet panels is thicker than framed panels, a cam and lock system is not well suited for the thicker panels so screws are used instead.  We like this option because it makes our frameless cabinets more durable –although it leaves exposed screw heads in the cabinet sides.   We're not going to get into the difference between framed and frameless RTA cabinets but you can click here for more information.

There are three options, ok –four– options for dealing with the exposed screw heads for off the shelf RTA frameless cabinets, but since leaving them visible isn’t really a good option there are actually only three.  Which option you choose depends on your budget and personal preference.

Frameless RTA Wall/Tall/Base/Vanity End Thin Panel 

This panel is ¼” thick and is secured with glue and staples or finishing nails. A Scribe Molding is also required because the thin panels do not have finished edges.  The thin panel is cut ¾” short on the facing edge and the Scribe Molding fills the gap to the cabinet face.  Scribe molding comes in Square and Regular (regular has a rounded edge). Pictured is American Cherry Chocolate Shaker with Square Scribe Molding.  Thin Panels can also be used in a variety of applications. Below we have a Beaded Chocolate Wall End Panel as a backsplash with Tuscany White cabinets.  Why not mix styles and finishes for your own unique look? 

	End Panel and Scribe	Beaded End Panel

Frameless RTA Wall/Tall/Base/Vanity End Panel  

This should b e called a ‘Thick’ Panel but it’s not, again- there’s not enough space here to explain why so we’ll just move on.  This panel is ¾” thick and is secured by 1¼” screws from inside the cabinet.  There are no staple or nail holes to mar the visible surface and you don’t need a Scribe Molding. However, we recommend Scribe Molding for all orders. (if the wall is not straight, the unsightly crevice can be covered nicely with Scribe Molding) Also be sure to note the (thick)Cabinet End Panel does not follow the cut of the toe kick.

Cherry Chocolate 'Thick' End Panel	Tuscany 'Thick' End Panel

Frameless RTA Wall/Base Fake Door

It’s a real door! But you can’t open it, and being a real door makes it the most expensive option.  It’s screwed in just like the Wall End (thick!) Panel and has no nail holes to mar the surface. One important consideration with this option:  the ‘fake’ door is ¾” wider than the cabinet end panel. This brings the edge flush with the cabinet door face making an attractive finish.  You will also need a toe-kick for the base cabinets, and Scribe Molding is recommended because with Golden Honey a 1” gap remains above the fake door where screws are visible.

Golden Honey Wall Fake Door	Golden Honey Base Fake Door

Framed RTA  Cabinets

Some Framed cabinets need End Panels too.  In cabinets like Coffee Bean the finished plywood sides don’t match the doors as well as we would like, so we strongly recommend Skin Panels.  Likewise, our framed Bamboo Shaker sides are completely unfinished and require End Panels (it’s too expensive to use bamboo on the sides or interior of the cabinets and besides, a lot of bamboo would go unseen in between the cabinets!). Notice that the Bamboo Shaker needs no Scribe Molding because the frame is designed specifically for the thin panel.

Bamboo End Panel (no scribe needed)

RTA Custom Cabinets

Armed with this information you can now impress your friends, and order your cabinets confident that you know which Wall End Panel options are available and how your choice will affect the look of your space.

-MG