Casegoods & Frames Construction Standards

Learn the TRUE FOB™ certified construction requirements for casegoods, storage units, beds, and frames — built to survive real-world use and global shipping.

Case Top Construction

  • Use replaceable tops when design allows, secured with screws (no glue).
  • Special solid wood parting rail at the back of the case, with pre-drilled holes 12" apart.

Internal Framework

  • Cases must have solid wood parting rails, cleats, and partitions at both front and rear.

Back Panel

  • Minimum 3mm thickness.
  • Screwed on (not stapled), screws spaced 6-7 inches apart.

Back Panel Hand Holds

  • Two 3.5" x 3.5" hand hold cutouts near the second parting rail.
  • Cutouts must be adjacent to side panels for strength.

Center Support Legs

  • Cases over 60" wide require a KD center support leg with adjustable leveler.
  • Pre-installed hanger bolt and T-nut required.

KD Legs for Cases

  • Pre-installed at factory where possible.
  • Universal fit preferred; otherwise, label legs and receptacles.
  • Front legs must have adjustable levelers for door alignment.

Adjustable Shelves

  • Secure shelves with screwed-in pegs during shipping.
  • Shelves over 32" must have support bracing underneath.

Counterweight Standards

  • Solid materials only — no loose or masonry products.
  • Securely mount counterweights.

Mending Plates

  • Pre-install mending plates on units intended for stacking.

Door Catch Standards

  • Use catches at the top; if no bottom catch, use a door stop.
  • Post style catches are not allowed.

Sliding Doors

  • Felt stoppers on door ends.
  • Channels must be clean and free of overspray.

Cases for Firebox Heaters

  • Sliding back panels required for rear-install firebox heaters.
  • Follow manufacturer's ventilation guidelines.

Drawer Requirements

  • Sturdy, glued joints.
  • Drawer bottom panels minimum 3mm thick, glued into slotted sides, supported underneath.

Drawer Slides

  • Side mounted ball bearing slides, minimum 45mm height, 18-gauge steel.
  • Clean, lubricated, no overspray.
  • Use pan head screws; no tapered wood screws.

Drawer Gaps & Alignment

  • Gap between drawer and mount strip ≤ 1/2".
  • Gaps must be consistent across all drawers.
  • Drawers should stay closed when shut.

Drawer Interiors

  • No felt unless approved.
  • Sand and seal drawers with clear tinted sealer.
  • Drawers must be clean, no debris, glue, drips, or nails.

General Leg Requirements

  • Chamfer legs to prevent chipping.
  • Sand and seal leg undersides, no color transfer to floors.

Corner Blocks

  • Grain of corner blocks must run horizontally.

Threaded Inserts in Legs

  • Threaded inserts must be centered inside the leg.

Frame Requirements for Living Room Products

  • Frames must use hardwood or plywood (minimum 18mm thick).
  • Particle board is not allowed.
  • No warping, bark, or loose knots allowed.

Frame Construction

  • Components must assemble flush, with no excessive gaps.
  • Glue stress joints to prevent frame noise.
  • Replace any damaged or cracked parts immediately.

Finish and Sealer Requirements

  • Finish color must match the master color panel approved by TRUE FOB™.
  • Finish must be consistent across pieces and production runs.
  • Finish must be durable and pass the cross hatch adhesion test.
  • Finish must be free of blemishes, defects, and imperfections.
  • Finish sealer must include an anti-fungal agent.
  • Surfaces not fully finished (interiors, underside of tabletops, back panels, undersides of chairs) must be tinted and sealed.
  • Drawer boxes designed to be unfinished should be sanded and sealed only.
  • Undersides of legs should be sanded and sealed only.
  • Wood concealed by upholstery should be sanded and sealed only.
  • Mortise and tenon joints must remain bare (no finish or sealer).