Frameless construction in cabinetmaking refers to the construction of cabinets using flat panels of engineered wood

Engineered wood

Engineered wood, also called composite wood, man-made wood, or manufactured board; includes a range of derivative wood products which are manufactured by binding the strands, particles, fibers, or veneers of wood, together with adhesives, to form composite materials...

 — usually particle board

Particle board

Particle board, or particleboard , is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood particles, such as wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even saw dust, and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded...

, plywood

Plywood

Plywood is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, re-usable, and can usually be locally manufactured...

 or medium-density fibreboard

Medium-density fibreboard

Medium-density fiberboard is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure...

 — rather than the traditional frame and panel

Frame and panel

Frame and panel construction is a woodworking technique often used in the making of doors, wainscoting, and other decorative features for cabinets, furniture, and homes...

construction.

A common construction method for frameless cabinets originated in Europe after World War II and is known as the 32mm Method or 32mm System This nomenclature is derived from the 32mm spacing between the system holes used for construction and installation of hardware typically used for doors, drawers and shelves. In North America it is also often referred to as "European Cabinetry" popular due to its simplicity of construction, clean lines and low cost..

With frameless cabinets, thicker sides (boxes) keep the cabinet much more stable and avoids the use of a front frame. By eliminating the front frame, you can have more room to get large objects inside with more usable space.