How is cabinet door overlay defined and how does it affect width planning?

• A. Overlay is the amount of door covering the frame; reduces door width relative to opening.
• B. Overlay refers to the thickness of the door.
• C. Overlay determines hinge type.
• D. Overlay increases door width compared to opening.

Answer: (A)

Overlay is the portion of the cabinet door that covers the frame when the door is closed. This means the door must be narrower than the opening by the amount of overlay on each side, so it sits over the frame rather than aligning exactly with the opening.

In width planning, you calculate the door width by subtracting the total overlay from the opening width. For example, if the opening is 32 inches wide and you want 1/2 inch of overlay on each side, the door width would be 32 minus 1 inch, or 31 inches. The more overlay you choose, the narrower the door will be relative to the opening, which affects how the gap or reveal looks around the door and how the hinges and mounting line up. Overlay is not about door thickness or hinge type, and it does not increase door width.