Cabinet Manufacturing Codes

Understanding the system used to identify the cabinets and accessories you will install is important. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association established a generic cabinet coding system more than 20 years ago to standardize the nomenclature used for identifying and specifying kitchen, bathroom, and other specialty cabinets. The National Kitchen and Bath Association has customized this coding system somewhat; this is the system explained here. The system has been adopted and used by most cabinet manufacturers, providing standardized delineations for sizes and types of cabinets. The system is based on a character code that explains each cabinet category, type of cabinet, width of cabinet, and height.

Understanding the Codes

The first character defines the general type of cabinet. There are six general cabinet categories, one accessory category, and one molding/trim category. The six general categories are W, all wall cabinets; T, all tall cabinets; B, all base cabinets; V, all vanity cabinets; D, all desk cabinets; P, all peninsula cabinets; and F, all furniture cabinets. For some cabinets manufacturers, vanity and desk cabinets are interchange able; therefore, the V designation is used in both applications. A D designation is applied only if sizing between the two systems differs. Molding and trim pieces are identified by a separate code that describes each piece. There is no major category that sets them apart from the other groupings.

The second set of characters identifies the type of cabinet. For example, a BB is a blind base corner cabinet. A BC is a base corner cabinet. It may have fixed, adjustable, or rotary shelving, which is designated by a letter. A BD is a base cabinet that features a stack of drawers. A standard B is assumed to have a drawer above the door. A WO is a wall cabinet that has no doors; therefore, it is called an open cabinet. An M indicates a microwave cabinet. The next two numeric symbols identify the width of the cabinet. This, dimension is always listed because the widths are variable. Most manufacturing have 3-inch (8-cm) modules, from 9 inches (23 cm) to 48 inches (122 cm).

The next two numeric symbols identify the height of the cabinet. These digits are used only if varying heights are available. For example, in wall cabinets, you can choose from heights of 12 inches (30 cm) to 30 inches (76 cm). Some manufacturers offer additional heights. Since base cabinets have standard height that is used throughout the kitchen, no height dimension is part of that code. The last two characters identify any nonstandard configurations within specified cabinet unit. For example, a D identifies a diagonal corner unit; identifies glass doors; D3 means three drawers; PC means pie cut; TO means tilt-out drawer head, and so forth.

Accessories to be added to the cabinet are designated following the code. Examples are BB for bread box; OB for cutting board; HU for unit; MU for mixer unit, etc. Miscellaneous trim and finish pieces with, non-specific category heading have individual codes. VP is a valance panel. VP-S is a valance panel with contemporary styling; VP-T, traditional. A corbel brand is indicated by CB, outside corner molding by OCM, and crown molding.