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How to Install Cabinet Doors in 7 Simple Steps
Follow these DIY steps to install cabinet doors you adore
Photo: gremlin / E+ / Getty Images
Photo: gremlin / E+ / Getty Images
SKILL LEVEL
Simple
COMPLETION TIME
2 hours
COST
$25-$50
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Pencil
- Screwdriver
- Straightedge
SUPPLIES
- Hinges
- Wood screws
After you purchase your cabinet doors and customize them to your liking, the final step is installation. Luckily, learning how to install cabinet doors is a relatively simple process that most homeowners can take on by themselves with a bit of guidance. This step-by-step guide will show you how to install cabinet doors like a pro.
Prepping to Install Cabinet Doors
If you’re installing new cabinet doors, you’ll first need to remove the old doors and hinges. When doing so, be careful not to damage any boxes or frames. Next, remove any items from your cabinets. Then, clean the cabinet boxes and frames to remove grease or debris. Fresh cabinet boxes won’t need as much cleaning, but it may still be a good idea to wipe them down.
Before installation, you should ensure that your cabinet doors are the correct size and will fit on your cabinet opening. If not, you’ll need to trim the doors down to size, which will require significantly more work and skill or the help of a cabinetry professional.
Drill the Hinge Holes
If your cabinet doors don’t come with pre-drilled hinge holes, the first step in installing cabinet doors is to drill holes into the back of the doors. Measure the hinge size and make sure the hinge holes correspond in size. It’s crucial that you drill the holes correctly and in the right places to provide the necessary support for the hinges. You might consider investing in a jig to help with this step.
Mount the Hinges
Photo: Alexander Kuzmin / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesOnce you drill the hinge holes, you’re ready to mount your hinges to the door. Make sure that you have the proper hinges for your cabinet doors before you install them. Hinges come in various styles and have different functions, and it should be the right fit for your type of door in function and appearance.
Read and follow the instructions that come with your hardware, as some hinges come with special directions. Place the hinges into the hinge holes and drill them firmly into place.
Measure and Mark the Position of the Cabinet Doors
Next, take your cabinet doors and position them accordingly. Note the distance of how much the doors overhang the opening—called the overlay. Determine where you’ll need to attach the hinges based on the overlay. You can use a straightedge to do this step or draw a line with a pencil that indicates where the overlay will stop.
Drill Pilot Holes for the Mounting Plate
Now, place the mounting plate on the cabinet face frame. Use a pencil to mark a hole through the mounting plate to reference where you’ll need to drill. Make sure to choose the right drill bit for your cabinet door. Drill the pilot hole to a depth of approximately ¼ inch directly where you marked on the face frame.
Mount the Cabinet Doors
Photo: Andrey Sayfutdinov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesAfter you’ve drilled the pilot holes, it’s finally time to mount your cabinet doors. If you can find a helper for this step, it’ll make things much easier. As your helper holds the door in place, screw the hinges to the cabinet. Start with the top hinge and then screw the bottom one.
Adjust the Doors if Necessary
After installing your cabinet doors, you may find they’re not quite aligned correctly. You can resolve this issue, as most hinges have hardware that allow you to make adjustments so that your doors will be perfectly aligned. Make adjustments until your cabinet doors are installed to your satisfaction.
Install Door Handles or Pulls
Lastly, add any finishing touches to your cabinet doors, such as door handles or pulls. Installing cabinet hardware last will allow you to position them accurately. Similar to what you did for the hinges, mark your holes and drill them based on the specific hardware. Then, install the handle or pull according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Common Cabinet Repairs
Based on responses from 10,400 Angi customers, the most common cabinet repairs involve doors and hinges, with 21% of requests related to cabinet doors and 18% to hinges. Proper installation and regular maintenance can help prevent many of these issues, ensuring that cabinets remain functional and secure over time.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing cabinet doors by yourself is a great way to save money. Since it’s a fairly quick and easy DIY project, you won’t have to hire a pro in most cases. However, if you want to save yourself some time and ensure that the job is done correctly, you can always hire a professional cabinet contractor in your area. Hiring a pro to install cabinet doors can cost you anywhere from $70 to $100 per hour.
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