Could you explain the terminology and the construction of cabinet doors?

Certainly. Like every industry, cabinet doors has evolved a “Lingo” all it’s own. The main differences are in the way the four parts that make-up the door’s frame are joined together. With traditional Cope & Stick construction, the “Stiles” (which are the two vertical side pieces), and the “Rails”, (the top and bottom pieces) are joined together in a modified Butt Joint. That is, the Rails are cut as rectangles with the ends at 90-degree angles to the sides. The rails are then “Coped” so the Rail-ends have the opposite (or inverse) detail to the detail on the Stiles. Then when the Cope & Stick frame is pressed together the joint between the Stile and Rail is a fine vertical line. Mitered doors are a little different. The Stiles and the Rails have their ends cut at 45-degree angles, with a hidden tongue & groove joint machined into the 45-degree cuts. Then, when the frame parts are pressed together, the hidden joint forces the Stiles & Rails into perfect alignment as well as providing superior strength to the frame. Within the Cope & Stick and Mitered categories, cabinet doors are further divided into Raised Panel, Inset Panel, or Glass Ready. Raised Panel doors have a solid panel made of edge-glued 3/4-inch wood. The perimeter of the Raised Panel is machined with a pattern that fits into a 1/4-inch groove in the Stiles & Rails. We offer 32 different Panel Cuts. Inset panel (or Flat Panel) doors use 1/4″ plywood for the panels, and Glass Frames are assembled without panels. Traditional Cope & Stick doors can have various arch designs in the Rails and Panels, but Mitered doors cannot have arches. Because Mitered doors are not Coped, Mitered doors can have a large variation in frame design, where Cope & Stick doors have more limited frame design options. For instance, we offer eight Cope & Stick Stile Cuts and forty-two Mitered Stile Cuts. Outside edges are another option. The outside edge is a design machined around the outside of the door. Some edges are a “finger pull” design which allow the door to be opened without a knob. Some can even by very decorative and detailed. We offer over 30 outside edges.