571-323-3636
ANSI/AWI 0641-2019 - Architectural Wood Casework
3.4 Aesthetic
a) In relation to this standard, aesthetic performance refers to and is an evaluation of surfaces that will be exposed or semi-exposed following installation.
b) The three levels of aesthetic s are Premium, Custom, and Economy:
| Custom Grade | ||
|---|---|---|
| The aesthetic grade defining the highest degree of control over materials, workmanship, and manufacture | The aesthetic grade defining a high degree of control over materials, workmanship, and manufacture | The aesthetic grade defining the minimum degree of control over materials, workmanship, and manufacture |
c) Surface terminology category examples may be found in section 5.3 (See also, Figure 86)
d) When this standard is referenced within the s, and no aesthetic grade is specified, Product shall be executed in accordance with and meet requirements.
e) Unless otherwise specified, Product default shall include:
- Flush overlay frameless construction
- Doors
- (2 per wall unit and 1 per base unit)
- Unfinished closed-grain intended for an or white decorative laminate ( or )
f) Unless otherwise specified or noted within this standard, vertical surfaces with a defined and/or directional pattern shall be applied and assembled with grain or pattern oriented vertically.
g) At exposed exterior surfaces, exposed fasteners are not permitted except at s.
h) At exposed interior surfaces, fastener cover caps of compatible color to interior finish shall be furnished by the /supplier and are:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Required | Required | Not required |
i) When fastener provision is countersunk, fasteners shall be countersunk.
j) Final adjustments for gaps, flushness, and alignment shall be in accordance with the AWI 0620-2018 – Finish Carpentry/Installation Standard.
k) require consistent color or species to be used throughout entire project.
l) At semi-exposed surfaces, matching exposed surface is only required if so specified.
m) Concealed surface materials shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
Figure 86
3.4.2 Doors
a) This section applies to doors less than 34.9 mm [1.375”] thick.
b) Door thicknesses of 34.9 mm [1.375”] or greater shall be governed by the ANSI/WDMA I.S.1A (latest edition) and ANSI/WDMA I.S.6A (latest edition) Architectural Door Standards, as applicable. Doors and casework utilizing such doors are not subject to the tolerances and conditions contained within this AWI standard.
3.4.3 Drawers
a) Drawer box materials shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier provided the assembled drawer meets the specified Performance Duty Level and the requirements set forth in Sections 3.4.3 through 3.4.3.4.
b) Drawer boxes (including trays and sliding bins) of solid wood or veneer are required to be finished with a finishing technology per AWI Finishing Standard (current edition), of the manufacturer/supplier’s choice.
c) Drawer box shall be fitted to the cabinet to allow no more than 50.8 mm [2”] of clearance between the back of the drawer box and the interior face of rear panel of the cabinet body with a drawer box maximum length of 558.8 mm [22”] unless otherwise specified. Drawer boxes greater than 558.8 mm [22”] may be supplied at the option of the manufacturer/supplier. (See Figure 72-A)
d) Drawer box shall be fitted to the cabinet to allow no more than 38.1 mm [1.500”] of clearance between the top of the drawer box and the or structural component above (See Figure 72-B).
Figure 72
3.4.4 Shelves
a) Grain or directional pattern of the surface shall run the width of the cabinet.
3.4.4.1 Shelves, Fixed
a) Thickness shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform at each elevation or connected elevations in open casework |
Uniform at each elevation or connected elevations in open casework |
At the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
3.4.4.2 Shelves, Adjustable
a) Minimum depth shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| No less than 6.4mm [.250″] shorter than the interior cabinet depth |
No less than 6.4mm [.250″] shorter than the interior cabinet depth |
At the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
b) Length shall be (See Figure 36):
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| A maximum of 3.2 mm [.125″] less than the interior cabinet width plus any additional offset created by the shelf rests used |
A maximum of 3.2 mm [.125″] less than the interior cabinet width plus any additional offset created by the shelf rests used |
Maximum length at the option of manufacturer/ supplier |
c) Metal shelf standards shall extend vertically to within 152.4 mm [6”] of the interior top and bottom of the cabinet shelf space, and be recessed in a plow, slightly proud of the face with the core not exposed.
d) Bored- shelf rest systems shall extend vertically to within 152.4 mm [6”] of the interior top and bottom of the cabinet shelf space.
Figure 36
3.4.5 Dividers
a) Shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Well-matched to adjacent surfaces |
Hardboard permitted if tempered and smooth on both sides |
Hardboard permitted if tempered and smooth on both sides |
3.4.6 Other
3.4.6.1 Presentation Panels
a) Casework surfaces that are behind sliding presentation panels or removable presentation panels (such as marker and tack boards) shall be treated as:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed surfaces | Exposed surfaces | Semi-exposed surfaces |
3.4.6.2 Cut-Outs
a) Cut-outs shall have a minimum 6.4 mm [.250”] radius.
b) At cut-outs and corresponding access panels creating a reveal greater than 3.2 mm [.125”], edges must be painted or edgebanded.
3.4.6.3 Scribes, Fillers, and Closure Panels
a) Aesthetic requirements of installed scribes, fillers, and s shall be in accordance with ANSI/http://awinet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/awi 0620-2018 – Finish Carpentry/Installation.
b) Casework shall be scribed to finished walls and/or ceilings using integral scribes, s, or scribe moulding at voids between cabinets and adjacent walls or ceilings.
c) Scribes and fillers shall be a minimum of 6.4 mm [.250”] thick.
d) Voids at top and bottom of cabinet shall have closure panels. Voids exceeding the allowances indicated below in width shall have closure panels a minimum of 6.4 mm [.250”] thick (See Figure 41 and Figure 42).
e) Scribe fillers (See Figure 8) or scribe mouldings (See Figure 9):
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum installed width of scribe fillers shall be 50.8 mm [2″] | Maximum installed width of scribe fillers shall be 76.2 mm [3”] |
Not required |
| Scribe moulding not permitted |
|
f) For options, see Figure 10.
g) Material shall match exposed surfaces and be furnished by the manufacturer/supplier.
h) Fillers at inside corners where two elevations of casework meet shall be equal in width and not wider than 76.2 mm [3”], unless required for hardware clearance during operation.
3.4.6.4 Soffit and Fascia Panels
a) Joints are not permitted:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| In material less than 2438 mm [96”] of horizontal grain or directional pattern and 1219 mm [48”] of or directional pattern |
In material less than 2438 mm [96”] of horizontal grain or directional pattern and 1219 mm [48”] of vertical grain or directional pattern |
No requirement |
b) Soffit and fascia panels shall be a minimum of 12.7 mm [.500”] thick.
c) At fascia panels, grain direction (if any) shall run vertical, or be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier if less than (See Figure 85):
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 38.1 mm [1.500”] tall | 305 mm [12”] tall | 305 mm [12”] tall |
d) Where soffit and fascia panels meet, grain direction shall be continuous.
Figure 85
3.4.7 Edges, Exposed and Semi-Exposed
a) Edgebanding is required.
b) Top edge of the cabinet ends less than 2032 mm [80”] above the floor or, when visible from above, shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Edgebanded with material compatible to the exposed exterior surface |
Edgebanded with material compatible to the exposed exterior surface |
At the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
c) Bottom edges of wall cabinet ends and light valances shall be of a:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Material and color to match the exposed exterior surface |
Material and color to match the exposed exterior surface |
Material compatible to the exposed surface |
d) Bottom edges of s shall be edgebanded.
e) Edgebanding grain direction shall run parallel to the long direction of the edge regardless of grain and/or pattern of the panel surface.
f) T-moulding must be specified.
g) At exposed surfaces, dadoes or lock joints shall:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Not run through the edgebanding |
Not run through the edgebanding |
No requirement |
h) Unless otherwise specified, the sequence of edge/face lamination shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier. Sequence of edge/face lamination shall be consistent throughout the project.
3.4.7.1 Edges, Decorative Laminate Casework (Assembled Unit Including Doors and Drawer Fronts)
a) Edges shall be HPDL, , or a minimum of .5 mm [.018”] thick and maximum of 3 mm [.118”] at the manufacturer’s choice.
b) PVC and ABS shall be well matched to the exposed face.
c) PVC and ABS edgebanding thicker than 1 mm [.039”] shall be radiused or beveled on edges and corners.
d) HPDL edgebanding shall match exposed surfaces.
3.4.7.2 Edges, Transparent Finish Casework (Assembled Unit Including Doors and Drawer Fronts)
a) Edgebanding on exposed edges is required and shall be compatible for color and grain with exposed surfaces.
b) Exposed edges shall be edgebanded with solid wood, veneer, or veneer tape a minimum of .5 mm [.018”] thick to match the exposed exterior surface.
c) Veneer tape edgebanding thicker than 1 mm [.039”] be shall be radiused or beveled on edges and corners.
d) Finger joints in veneer tape used as edgebanding are permitted.
3.4.8 Edges, Doors
a) At edgebanding thickness less than 6.4 mm [.250”], the sequence of applying edgebanding shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
b) Wood edgebanding thickness greater than or equal to 6.4 mm [.250”] on face shall be mitered.
c) At back-s, edgebanding shall be specified.
d) Doors shall be edgebanded at all four edges except when back-beveled or when composed of solid wood.
3.4.8.1 Edges, Opaque Finish Doors
a) At opaque finish:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| MDO shall be edgebanded |
All edges shall be filled or edgebanded |
All edges shall be filled or edgebanded |
| MDF shall be filled or edgebanded at the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
3.4.8.2 Edges, Sliding Doors
a) Top and bottom edges are concealed and not required to be edgebanded or filled.
b) Vertical edges are considered exposed and shall be edgebanded.
3.4.8.3 Edges, Stile and Rail Doors
a) Doors manufactured/supplied from panel products shall be edgebanded or finished to match exposedsurfaces.
3.4.8.4 Edges, Glass Doors
a) Frameless glass doors shall have:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed edges flat polished |
Exposed edges flat polished |
Exposed edges flat ground |
3.4.9 Edges, Drawers
3.4.9.1 Edges, Drawer Fronts and False Fronts
a) At edgebanding thickness less than 6.4 mm [.250”], the sequence of applying edgebanding shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
b) Wood edgebanding thickness greater than or equal to 6.4 mm [.250”] on face shall be mitered.
c) At back-beveled edges, edgebanding shall be specified.
d) Drawer fronts and false fronts shall be edgebanded at all four edges except when back-beveled or when composed of solid wood.
3.4.9.2 Edges, Opaque Finish Drawer Fronts
a) At opaque finish:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| MDO shall be edgebanded |
All edges shall be filled or edgebanded |
All edges shall be filled or edgebanded |
| MDF shall be filled or edgebanded at the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
3.4.9.3 Edges, Transparent Finish Drawer Boxes
a) Top edges of drawer box shall be edgebanded.
b) At veneer core of seven-ply or more with no voids, edgebanding is not required.
c) At transparent finish panel product drawers:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Edgebanding shall match drawer side surface |
Edgebanding shall match drawer side surface |
Veneer core edges shall be filled and sanded smooth |
3.4.9.4 Edges, Opaque Finish Drawer Boxes
a) Top edges of drawer box shall be filled and sanded smooth or edgebanded.
3.4.9.5 Edges, Decorative Laminate Drawer Boxes
a) Top edges of drawer box shall be edgebanded.
b) Edgebanding shall match drawer box color.
3.4.9.6 Edges, Solid Wood Drawer Boxes
a) At solid stock, drawer edges shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| or eased | Profiled at the option of the manufacturer/ supplier |
Profiled at the option of the manufacturer/ supplier |
3.4.10 Edges, Shelves
3.4.10.1 Edges, Adjustable Shelves
a) Edges of adjustable shelves at semi exposed surfaces shall match interior or exterior surfaces at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
b) If the gap between the end of a shelf and the interior cabinet body exceeds 6.4 mm [.250”], both ends of the shelf shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Edgebanded | Edgebanded | At the option of manufacturer/supplier |
3.4.10.2 Edges, Pullout Shelves
a) Edges of writing or utility shelves shall be edgebanded with a material compatible in color to the exposed interior surface.
3.4.11 Tolerances
3.4.11.1 Machining, Exposed and Semi-Exposed Surfaces
a) Machining rules for exposed and semi-exposed surfaces shall comply with smoothness requirements.
b) Sharp edges shall be eased.
c) Flat wood surfaces which can be sanded require a minimum of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 150 grit sanding | 120 grit sanding | 15 KMPI or 100 grit sanding |
d) Profiled and shaped wood surfaces require a minimum of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 120 grit sanding | 20 KMPI or 120 grit sanding |
15 KMPI or 100 grit sanding |
e) Turned wood surfaces require a minimum of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 180 grit sanding | 120 grit sanding | 15 KMPI or 100 grit sanding |
f) Visible sanding marks, excluding turned surfaces, shall be inconspicuous.
g) Tear out, knife nicks, or hit or miss machining is not permitted.
h) Glue or filler shall be inconspicuous and match the adjacent surface for smoothness.
3.4.11.2 Machining, HPDL, PVC, and Prefinished Wood
a) , PVC, and wood edges shall be machined flush and filed, sanded, or buffed to remove machine marks and sharp edges.
b) (See Figure 23, F) shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 25.4 mm [1”] in any 1219 [48”] run |
.1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 25.4 mm [1”] in any 610 mm [24”] run |
.1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 50.8 mm [2”] in any 305 mm [12”] run |
c) Chip-out (See Figure 24, G) in area G shall be inconspicuous when viewed at:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 610 mm [24”] | 1219 mm [48”] | 1829 mm [72”] |
d) Over-machined (See Figure 25, H) removal of color or pattern of face material shall be limited to:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm x 38.1 mm [.031” x 1.500”] and shall not occur within 1829 mm [72”] of a similar occurrence |
.8 mm x 76.2 mm [.031” x 3”] and shall not occur within 1524 mm [60”] of a similar occurrence |
2.4 mm x 152.4 mm [.094” x 6”] and shall not occur within 1219 mm [48”] of a similar occurrence |
3.4.11.3 Edge and Face Alignment
a) Doors, drawer fronts, and false fronts shall be properly sized to permit edge alignment between doors and adjacent drawers.
b) Edge alignment of doors and drawers (See Figure 30-N), in both the vertical and horizontal plane, shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
c) Doors and drawers shall align on the same flat plane as one another (See Figure 30-J) with a variance not to exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] | 3.2 mm [.125”] |
Figure 30
3.4.11.4 Maximum Uniform Gap Variance, Reveal Overlay Frameless
a) In reveal overlay frameless construction, the maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 43) within a cabinet elevation, between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or finished end, and doors hung in pairs, shall be as specified. If not specified, the following conditions shall apply (See Figure 43):
b) “X” shall be 3.2 mm [.125”], subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.125”] |
c) “Y” shall be determined by the hinge overlay.
d) “Z” varies from 3.2 mm [.125”] to 9.6 mm and shall be consistent across elevations (See Figure 15). However, for laboratory countertops, reveal at “Z” may be 6.4 mm [.250”] to 25.4 mm [1”] to permit attachment of laboratory equipment. (See Figure 17)
3.4.11.5 Maximum Uniform Gap Variance, Flush Overlay Frameless
a) In flush overlay frameless construction, the maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 44) within a cabinet elevation, between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or finished end, and doors hung in pairs, shall be as specified. If not specified, the following conditions shall apply (See Figure 44):
b) “X” shall not exceed 3.2 mm [.125”].
c) “Y” shall not exceed 1.6 mm [.063”].
d) “X” and “Y” are subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.125”] |
e) “Z” varies from 3.2 mm [.125”] to 9.6 mm and shall be consistent across elevations (See Figure 15). However, for laboratory countertops, reveal at “Z” may be 6.4 mm [.250”] to 25.4 mm [1”] to permit attachment of laboratory equipment. (See Figure 17)
3.4.11.6 Maximum Uniform Gap Variance, Reveal Overlay Face Frame Construction
a) In reveal overlay face frame construction, the maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 45) within a cabinet elevation, between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or cabinet component, and doors hung in pairs, shall be as specified. If not specified, the following conditions shall apply (See Figure 45):
b) “X” shall not exceed 3.2 mm [.125”], subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.125”] |
c) “Y” shall be as specified, indicated, or agreed. “Z” varies from 6.4 mm [.250”] to 25.4 mm [1”] and shall be consistent across elevations (See Figure 16).
3.4.11.7 Maximum Uniform Gap Variance, Inset Face Frame Construction
a) At inset face frame construction, the maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 46) within a cabinet elevation, between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or cabinet component, and doors hung in pairs, for “X” shall not exceed 3.2 mm [.125”], subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.125”] |
b) “Y” and “Z” shall be as specified, indicated or agreed.
Figure 46
3.4.11.8 Flatness and Warp
a) Flatness and of cabinet doors (See Figure 5-E) shall not exceed the grade tolerances indicated below in the diagonal or width and/or length as a linear ratio.
b) Flatness of installed and removable sheet products (See Figure 5, E), including doors, shall not exceed the following per lineal 305 mm [12″]:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031″] | +/- 1.2 mm [.063″] | +/- 1.6 mm [.125″] |
c) Flatness and tolerances of cabinet doors shall not exceed a maximum of 6.4 mm [.250″] in any single door.
d) Measurements for flatness and warp shall be taken on the concave face of the panel.
Figure 5