One of your most important jobs as a contractor is ensuring your work stands the test of time. This is particularly important when installing cabinet doors, as their functionality and aesthetics can significantly impact the overall look of a room. How do you install kitchen cabinet doors for longevity and avoid frequent replacements or repairs?
This detailed guide explores installation best practices for a lasting cabinet door life span. We share the most effective tips and techniques that can lead to satisfied customers who may return for future projects or recommend you to others.
3 Key Areas of Proper Cabinet Door Installation
How hard is it to install kitchen cabinet doors? The process is much more manageable when you know which steps to follow. Every cabinet door installation should consider best practices in three key areas:
1. Preparation
The first step is all about preparation. Before you begin mounting kitchen cabinet doors and showing your clients the final result, you’ll need to:
- Inspect the cabinet doors: As soon as the cabinet doors arrive, check for any damage or defects. The inspection should include checking for scratches, misalignment and dents. You’ll also need to verify you have all the necessary tools to assemble each component.
- Remove the existing cabinet doors: It’s not hard to replace kitchen cabinet doors — simply remove the existing doors and their hinges, if applicable, before proceeding to the next steps.
- Measure carefully: The size of the doors should be slightly less than the size of the cabinet openings. Measurements should include the height, width and depth.
- Mark the installation points: Mark where you plan to place the doors’ hinges. This can help you ensure your work is level and aligned once installation is complete. To do this, determine the doors’ swing direction.
- Select your hinges: Choose the most suitable hinges based on your design goals and the door’s size and weight.
- Prepare your work area: Clear the workspace of any obstacles and clean the surfaces where you plan to install the doors for a safer and more efficient installation.
- Choose the proper hardware: Organize your tools and place them so they’re within reach. This can help streamline the installation process. Your hardware list might include a drill, a level, screws, hinges, a screwdriver, a measuring tape, and a pencil.
2. Installation
Are you ready to learn how to install cupboard doors? After all the preparation from the previous step, it’s time to start the installation process.
- Install the hinges: Attach the hinges to the cabinet doors in the same spots you marked during preparation. Once attached, you can test them to ensure they operate smoothly.
- Start with a test door: If you’ll be installing multiple doors, it’s a good idea to fully install one first to ensure the cabinet doors are set to your liking. Think of this step as a “trial” before installing the rest of the doors. If anything seems out of order with the first door, you can make the right adjustments and avoid errors with the rest of them.
- Attach the rest of the doors to the cabinets: Attach the cabinet doors, keeping each level and aligned for a professional look. You can use shims to help you adjust any unevenness you notice during the installation process.
- Add the handles or knobs: When drilling holes for the handles or knobs, measure carefully for consistency across all the doors.
3. Final Adjustments
The final stage of putting in your cabinet doors involves making adjustments to ensure a professional finish. Every cabinet door should be fixed properly in place to make opening and closing the door easy and secure. This phase involves:
- Checking for level and alignment: At this point, you’ll need to verify that the doors are level or aligned and function correctly. You can use your level tool to check each door’s horizontal and vertical alignment.
- Adjusting doors and drawers: You can fine-tune the operation and alignment of each door and drawer to ensure they open and close smoothly. In addition, adjust hinges and drawer slides to eliminate gaps between doors and drawers.
- Securing hardware and fasteners: Tighten all hardware, screws and fasteners to make sure all doors are securely attached to the cabinets.
Educating Customers on Maintaining Cabinet Doors
After securely installing the doors, you’ll want to educate your customer on how to take care of them so they last. With a few simple considerations, your clients can keep their cabinet doors looking new.
Regular Cleaning
Regularly cleaning cabinet doors helps maintain their appearance while preventing dirt buildup. For long-term results, show your customers the simple steps they can take to preserve their cabinet doors. Tell them to avoid using abrasive soaps, instead opting for a mild cleaner that’s suitable for the door’s material. This way, they can easily wipe away dirt and grime without stripping the finish.
Avoiding Excessive Moisture and Heat
Too much moisture can cause warping and damage to cabinet doors. To prevent this from occurring, customers will need to wipe up any spills quickly. Proper ventilation can also help prevent moisture buildup and reduce the risk of mildew or mold growth. For airflow, customers can open windows. If your client lives in a humid area, a dehumidifier may be a great option to help reduce moisture levels that might impact their cabinets and cabinet doors.
Gentle Handling
Handling cabinet doors gently can help prevent dents, scratches and other damage. Encourage your customers to avoid slamming their drawers and doors. This might mean showing them how to open and close the cabinet doors gently to help prevent wear and tear.
Trust Conestoga Wood to Bring You Lasting Quality Cabinet Doors
Installing cabinet doors doesn’t have to be complicated. If you follow the above tips, you’ll be on your way to achieving the professional touch you’re looking for. With extensive knowledge of how to properly install these doors, you can improve customer satisfaction and set yourself up for success.
At Conestoga Wood, we provide customers with quality craftsmanship. Our custom cabinet doors allow you and your customers to select from thousands of design specifications and colors from Colourtone Paints and the Prism Paint program to help bring the entire vision to life. Our cabinet doors are made with a variety of different materials, such as medium-density fiberboard and solid wood, so you and your clients can choose the most suitable option.
If you’re looking for a reliable supplier, contact Conestoga Wood Specialists today and let us help you elevate your next project!
