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melis918

Please fill me in on fillers!

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

I am meeting with my cabinet maker today and I'm confused by the fillers he is using. I want to be 100% sure I know what I'm talking about when I open my mouth! I am comparing his design to one I have from a large design/build firm that I ended up not going with, and he is using what seems like too many fillers even though he said he is doing custom sizes. Here are my specific questions for each wall:

1. Range Wall- Is a 1" filler needed next to my 48" range on both sides? To the right I have a 3 drawer stack and to the left I have an 8" spice pullout. He has the filler between the range and each of those cabinets.

2. Sink Wall- Do I need a 1" filler between my sink base and trash pullout which is to the left of sink? And another 1" between the dishwasher and a 3 drawer base to the right of it?

3. Fridge Wall- Do I need 1" filler between tall pantry cabinets and a SZ integrated fridge?( pantries flanking fridge)? And another 1" on each side of tall oven cab ( tall pantry to the right and counter w/ uppers and base to the left)?

I really like my cabinet guy and he did a great job on our powder room vanity, but it was one single cabinet. It seems like there is wasted space on all these fillers between cabinets. Maybe they are needed for the tall ones/fridge, but I'm questioning the others. Please respond so I can stop freaking out about this!

Comments (27)

  • 9 years ago

    No advice here but I'm following as I'm pretty filler clueless as well

  • 9 years ago

    Lol cece. I hope someone responds soon so I am knowledgable when my cabinet guy shows up this afternoon.

  • 9 years ago

    What type of cabinet? Frameless, full overlay, insert, face frame?

  • 9 years ago

    I'd like to know what size fillers are needed if one voids a corner in favor of drawers on both sides. :-)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    cpartist: these are framed flush inset. here is the range wall he has drawn:

    I am wondering if the filler on each side of the range is necessary, as well as between the uppers and the range good, which will be a Modernaire barrel hood.

  • 9 years ago

    I don't see any filler strips. I see the face frame of the cabinet. Inset cabinets, the door/drawer front is framed by the frame of the cabinet. Also the "1" to me appears to be his marking of how he will separate each cabinet.

  • 9 years ago

    lllhhi- I don't understnd what you are saying about the 1" separating each cabinet. Can you give me an explanation for dummies (me in this case)?

    nightowl I would love a photo!

  • 9 years ago

    The mark between 48'' and 30'' on the drawing.

  • 9 years ago

    I understand which mark you are referring to but I don't understand what it is. If there is a 30" cabinet next to the range, what is the 1" for? When I add the numbers up it seems like he is using fillers.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'd like to know what size fillers are needed if one voids a corner in favor of drawers on both sides. :-)

    I an doing this with inset with slab drawers. I am not using filler but extended styles, adding 1/4 inch on one side and 1 inch on the other. That should leave plenty of room for my pulls and makes both side equal, but not too wide.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Those are not 1" dimensions, they are his brief extension lines between the noted dimensions.

    If there were arrows between them it might be more clear to you. In this case, he has just opted not to include the dimension lines and arrows.

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you cookncarpenter! It makes sense to me now. He still has a bunch of other stuff wrong in the layout, but now I know what to focus on when we speak today.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Fillers are not to be taken lightly. Nothing is worse than discovering that the adjacent dishwasher door can't be opened since the pulls were put on the drawer fronts. If you've got your heart set on those pulls, you'd better have your heart set on new tops too, because they're probably wrong now too.

  • 9 years ago

    Hi Melis! I remember your kitchen layout threads. So is this a new cabinet line you are using? I wondered what all happened. Hope everything is going well.

    I am sorry I'm not much help on the filler issues, but just wanted to say hi.

  • 9 years ago

    Your kitchen shows no fillers. In inset, you would do extended stiles instead where you need additional clearance, like at corners. And his corners won't work as shown with hardware on those cabinets.

  • 9 years ago

    Hi Rebunky! I can't beleive you remember me from waaaay back when I was first planning my layout! Yes, I am going with a different cabinet line. I was originally working with a design/build firm, but the KD left and was replaced with someone who knew nothing, plus they were overcharging for electrical and plumbing so we decided to go in a different direction. It's taken me forever to find a great GC and we are using a local cabinetmaker. who I like a lot. We are starting this project in March and I'm panicking over every detail. Lol My layout is basically the same with a few small changes. We are still doing soapstone and quartzite. How are you?

  • 9 years ago

    Live_wire: there is not enough filler space n the corners? How much should there be?

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    What size is your hardware? Use it's projection plus at least 1/4" and that will tell you how much extended stile there should be. With the stiles shown narrower than standard, you need that exact measurement to be able to do the math. But just as an eyeball, I'd as that you are about a half inch to a full inch shy, depending on what is around the corner. Appliances need a lot more room than drawer handles.

    Also, I'd want the boxes 25" deep. You may want a paneled in DW if you are doing an inset integrated fridge. And the fridge needs the additional depth as well.

  • 9 years ago

    I'm using a Miele dw and was under the impression that standard depth 24" cabinets will work in order for the panel to be flush with cabinets.

  • 9 years ago

    Of course I remember because your kitchen is one I've been looking forward to seeing for a very long time. I'm doing good, thanks for asking. Yeah, I remember your kd was moving away and they were pressuring you to order in just a few days when there were still several big issues with the layout to resolve. I'm so glad to hear you walked away from that mess and found a much better GC. Best wishes and be sure to post your progress!

  • 9 years ago

    Never put your eggs in the basket of only being able to use one brand or type of appliance. Future proof for an American depth DW. Since the fridge needs the extra depth as well, the whole run integrates better with it all the same depth. Don't forget the extra width needed around the fridge for the doors to fully pivot correctly.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks live_wire!

  • 9 years ago


    Example of corner clearance. This is 3 inches at each corner to ensure clearance. All other frames are 2". The hardware is 1.5 inches depth.


  • 9 years ago

    Want to follow this

  • 9 years ago

    How much corner fillers for frameless overlay drawer stacks?

  • 9 years ago

    night_owl: do you like your pulls? I think they look nice and am leaning toward those. Which ones are these?