Knowledge Base

Cabinet & Kitchen Glossary

Plain-language definitions of materials, hardware, construction methods, and industry terms used in Brunei kitchen and wardrobe projects.

Last updated: 24 October 2026 · 50+ terms defined

A

ABS Edge Banding

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic strips applied to panel edges. The selected band, adhesive, panel and application method should be checked as a complete specification. See Edge Sealing Guide.

Anti-Fingerprint Coating

A product-specific surface treatment intended to reduce visible fingerprints. Results and care depend on the selected finish; check its supplier information.

AVENTOS

Blum's range of lift systems for wall cabinet doors. Includes AVENTOS HF (bi-fold), HK (stay-lift), HL (parallel lift), and HS (up-and-over). Allows overhead doors to open upward without blocking the user.

B

Backsplash

The vertical surface between the countertop and wall cabinets. Protects the wall from cooking splashes. Material options: tile, glass, quartz, or Formica panel.

Blum

Austrian manufacturer of concealed hinges, drawer runners, and lift systems, including the TANDEM, CLIP top, and AVENTOS lines. Published cycle ratings are manufacturer specifications.

Butt Joint

A joint where the edge of one panel meets the face of another. The connection method and strength depend on the design and materials. See Drawer Box Guide.

C

Carcass

The cabinet body that supports its doors, drawers, shelves and work surface. Caramella's standard carcass is ENF plywood unless another material is agreed for the project; confirm the selected surface treatment in the quotation.

Carousel (Lazy Susan)

A rotating tray system installed inside corner cabinets to provide access to otherwise dead space. Typically 270° or 360° rotation. Alternative to magic corner pull-out systems.

CLIP top

A Blum concealed hinge family. Features and adjustment options vary by model and configuration; check the selected product documentation.

CNC (Computer Numerical Control)

Computer numerical control: a machine follows programmed instructions to cut or shape a component. The final fit also depends on measurement, design, fabrication and installation.

Concealed Hinge (European Hinge)

A hinge mounted inside a cabinet so it is hidden when the door is closed. Cup size, adjustment and opening angle depend on the selected hinge model.

Countertop (Benchtop)

The horizontal work surface on top of lower cabinets. Caramella currently specifies quartz stone for kitchen countertops. See Countertop Materials Compared for a broader market overview.

D

Dado Joint (Housing Joint)

A channel cut into one component to receive another component. Its use and suitability depend on the design.

Dovetail Joint

A woodworking joint made from interlocking tapered pins and tails. It is distinct from a dowel joint.

Drawer Box

The box attached to drawer runners. Material, dimensions, construction and hardware vary by product; check the selected specification. See Drawer Box Guide.

Dry Kitchen

A kitchen area often used for preparation and serving, sometimes separated from a wet kitchen. Terminology and layout vary by household and project.

DTC

Dongtai Hardware (China) — manufacturer of drawer runners and hinges, with multiple product lines. Caramella uses DTC as an alternative to Blum CLIP top; confirm the selected model in the quotation. See Blum vs DTC Guide.

E

Edge Banding

A strip or treatment applied to a panel edge for a finished appearance and to cover the exposed edge. Band material, adhesive and application depend on the selected product and process.

ENF Grade

A board classification label associated with formaldehyde-emission requirements. Confirm the applicable standard, test method, supplier document and exact board; a grade label is not a result for every production batch or finished room.

EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate)

Ethylene-vinyl acetate adhesive used in some hot-melt edge-banding processes. Product properties and application depend on the adhesive and manufacturing process. See Edge Sealing Guide.

F

Filler Panel

A narrow strip used to close gaps between cabinets and walls. Ensures a clean, custom-fitted appearance. Cut on-site during installation.

Flat-Pack

Cabinets supplied unassembled for assembly at the destination. Packaging, price, construction and installation arrangements vary by supplier.

Full Extension

A runner configuration designed to let a drawer travel its full opening distance. The travel and access depend on the selected model and installation.

G

Galley Kitchen

A kitchen layout with two parallel runs of cabinets facing each other. The circulation space should be planned for the room, users, doors and appliances. See Kitchen Layout Guide.

H

Higold

Manufacturer of kitchen storage accessories, including baskets and pantry fittings. Product range, material, finish and cabinet fit vary by model; confirm them against the current product specification and quotation. See HIGOLD accessory examples.

HPL (High-Pressure Laminate)

High-pressure laminate: a decorative surfacing material made by consolidating layers under heat and pressure. Product construction, performance and suitable applications vary; “Formica” is a brand name, not a generic expansion of HPL.

I–K

Island

A freestanding cabinet unit in a kitchen. Whether it fits depends on the room, access routes, nearby doors and appliance clearances. See Layout Types.

Kickboard (Plinth)

The panel at the base of floor cabinets, often set back to provide toe space. Confirm the selected kickboard material, base detail and floor clearance in the project drawings.

L

L-Shaped Layout

Kitchen layout with cabinets along two adjacent walls. It can create a work triangle, depending on the room, appliance and sink positions. See Layout Types.

Formica

Formica is a brand name associated with decorative laminate products. Confirm the exact finish and its intended use from the product information. Caramella's supplied finish samples include Formica and PET colours.

Thermal-Cured Lacquer

A coating applied to a substrate and cured according to the selected product's process. Colour, sheen, edge treatment, care and suitable applications vary; check the supplier information for the exact finish.

Linear Metre (Running Metre)

A measurement of cabinet length — 1 linear metre equals 1 metre of cabinet frontage. Used for approximate pricing comparisons. Actual costs depend on height, depth, internal fittings, and specification.

M

Magic Corner

A pull-out system for blind corner cabinets. The inner trays swing out and forward when the door opens, providing full access to corner storage. Alternative to a carousel/lazy susan.

MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard)

Engineered wood made from wood fibres bonded with resin under heat and pressure. Smooth surface ideal for painting and membrane-press door profiles. Heavier than particleboard. Available in moisture-resistant (MR-MDF) grade.

Melamine / LPL

A decorative surface category used on some panel products. Product construction, finish and care vary; check the exact material listed in the quotation rather than relying on a broad category label.

Moisture-Resistant Board (MR Board)

A supplier description used for some particleboard or MDF products. Ask for the exact product document and application guidance; the term does not mean waterproof.

N

Nano-Coating (Hardware)

A supplier term for certain surface treatments. Any performance description applies only when it appears in the current specification for the exact product.

O

OSB Board (Oriented Strand Board)

An engineered wood panel made from oriented wood strands bonded together. Product composition and suitable applications depend on the specific board.

P

Particleboard (Chipboard)

An engineered wood panel made from wood particles bonded with resin. Product properties and suitable applications vary by manufacturer and specification.

Plinth

See Kickboard.

Plywood

Engineered wood made by bonding layers of veneer, commonly with adjacent grain directions arranged at an angle. Properties depend on the specific panel and its construction; confirm the intended use with the supplier.

Pocket Screw Joint

A joint where an angled screw is driven through a pocket hole in one panel into an adjacent panel. Provides ongoing mechanical fastening force — resists loosening under load better than dowel or butt joints.

PUR (Polyurethane Reactive)

A polyurethane reactive adhesive used in some edge-banding processes. Product properties depend on the adhesive and process. Caramella currently specifies PUR adhesive for edge sealing. See Edge Sealing Guide.

Q–R

Quartz Composite

A broad category of engineered stone countertop products. Composition, care and performance vary by product. Caramella's current kitchen countertop offering is quartz stone. See Countertop Materials.

Runner (Drawer Slide)

The hardware mechanism that supports a drawer as it opens and closes. Types include side-mounted and undermount designs. Features, load ratings and installation requirements depend on the model.

S

Shaker Door

A door style with a flat centre panel surrounded by a profiled frame. Classic, timeless look. Can be made from MDF with routed profile or solid wood frame.

Shearer Series (HIGOLD)

A HIGOLD product family that includes kitchen storage fittings. Construction and mechanism depend on the exact model; use the current product specification when selecting one for a cabinet.

Slab Door

A flat door panel without a frame profile. Appearance, construction, edge treatment and compatible finishes depend on the selected product.

Soft-Close

A damping feature that reduces the speed of a door or drawer near closure. Features and effect vary by hardware model. Blum uses the BLUMOTION name for certain products.

T

TANDEM

A Blum concealed drawer-runner product family. Load rating, extension, motion features and installation requirements depend on the exact model; check the current manufacturer specification.

Thermofoil (Membrane Press)

A decorative film applied to a shaped substrate. Construction, edge treatment, care and suitable applications vary by product; check the supplier's product information.

U–Z

Undermount Sink

A sink mounted beneath a compatible countertop, with the cutout edge exposed and finished by the fabricator. Caramella's current kitchen countertop specification is quartz stone; confirm the sink, cutout, support, and edge details in the project quotation.

U-Shaped Layout

Kitchen layout with cabinets on three walls forming a horseshoe. Available storage and circulation depend on the room, cabinet configuration and appliance placement. See Layout Types.

PET

Polyethylene terephthalate, a polymer used in some decorative door finishes. Surface, colour and care details vary by product; check the finish sample and supplier document.

PETG

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified material used in some decorative finishes. Do not assume that PETG and PET have identical appearance or performance; confirm the selected product details.

Wet Kitchen

A kitchen zone planned for cooking and service needs that may differ from a dry kitchen. Specify surfaces, cabinet details, plumbing, ventilation and trade scope for the actual room. See Wet Kitchen Guide.

Work Triangle

The imaginary triangle connecting the three main kitchen work areas: sink, stove/hob, and refrigerator. An efficient work triangle minimises steps during cooking. Ideal total perimeter: 4–8 metres. Each leg should be 1.2–2.7 metres.