Frequently asked questions
FAQ
- What exactly do I get from fronteli?
- A ready technical drawing of the front: a PDF, plus a DXF file for a CNC machine when you order. It carries exact dimensions and hinge-hole positions. It isn't a finished front or a piece of furniture — it's a precise drawing you use to have the front made in the material you choose, wherever you choose.
- Where do I get it made — do I need a carpenter?
- You don't need a carpenter. You take the drawing to a cut-to-size shop — one that cuts board to size, edge-bands it, and drills the holes. It's the same kind of shop a carpenter would order cut fronts from, so going direct means you skip their markup. (A carpenter can make it from the same drawing too, if you prefer — usually pricier.) We're compiling a list of vetted shops; it'll be ready at launch.
- How is this different from ready-made custom fronts?
- Branded custom fronts arrive as a finished product with delivery — convenient, but pricier and limited to their material catalogue. With fronteli you get the drawing and have it made locally, in any material your shop can work. You pay for the work, not for the brand and freight.
- Which hinges do I buy, and where?
- Standard 35 mm cup hinges (European-style) — the same ones IKEA uses in the METOD system. IKEA's own UTRUSTA hinges fit too, including any you already have. Get them at any DIY store, a furniture-fittings supplier, or the same shop that cuts your board. The drawing marks the Ø35 mm cup positions, so the shop bores them exactly where they belong.
- Will it really fit — and what if the dimensions are off?
- The free 2D preview shows the outline and dimensions before you order anything, so you can check them against your cabinet. Paid drawings are generated only for checked sizes; if we're unsure, we block the order rather than send a wrong drawing. Always confirm the dimensions with your shop before cutting and drilling.
- How much does it cost?
- You pay a one-off fee for the drawing (pricing at launch). The front itself is paid separately at the shop, and depends on material, finish, and region. You save because you're ordering at the level a carpenter sources from, instead of paying their markup or the freight on branded fronts shipped across Europe.
- Will I get an invoice?
- Yes. Payment is handled by Paddle as the Merchant of Record, which issues a VAT invoice.
- What is the IKEA-list import?
- If you've already designed a kitchen in IKEA's planner, paste the shopping list — we recognise the article codes and match custom fronts to the same sizes. Instead of configuring each front by hand, you choose the material and finish for the whole kitchen at once.
- Is fronteli affiliated with IKEA?
- No. IKEA, METOD and PAX are trademarks of Inter IKEA Systems B.V.; fronteli is not affiliated with IKEA. We create drawings for fronts that fit the METOD system.
Run a cut-to-size shop?
We're building a list of shops that cut board to size, edge-band it, and drill hinge holes. Want to be on it? Get in touch. hello@fronteli.com