Getting a kitchen cabinet door replacement may just be the most effective and cost-efficient way to revamp your kitchen. It saves you the time, effort, and money compared to a complete cabinet replacement.
But to be successful, you have to be aware of all the basics of doing this project.
The Basics of Kitchen Cabinet Door Replacement
Among all the parts of your kitchen cabinets, the most exposed and most touched are the cabinet doors. They are the first thing your eyes lay on when you enter the kitchen.
After some time of repeated opening and closing, your kitchen cabinets will inevitably look worn out. They may also look out of style from the up-and-coming interior design trends.
For this reason, you might want to consider having a kitchen cabinet door replacement. This isn’t as intimidating as a complete cabinet replacement and is great for homeowners who love DIY projects.
Why You Should Opt for Replacement Doors
There are various advantages and benefits of having a kitchen cabinet door replacement that you need to know. Here are some of them:
- Budget-wise, it costs less than a complete kitchen cabinet replacement.
- You can accomplish it quickly with little disruption to your living space.
- Kitchen cabinet door replacement is not as complex as other major kitchen renovation projects. You can do it by yourself without hiring a contractor.
- Changing your kitchen cabinet doors can transform the entire kitchen space.
- You have the creative freedom to choose how your kitchen cabinet will look like.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Elements to Consider
That said, there are a few things to consider in a kitchen cabinet door replacement project. It will guide you on how you will customize your new cabinet doors.
Door Type and Style
The face of your kitchen cabinet, including the panel, stiles, rails, and edges, is the core of your cabinet door. The details of the door type and style will determine the overall vibe of your cabinet door.
Here are the most popular kitchen cabinet door types:
- Full overlay: Covers the entire cabinet face
- Partial overlay: Doesn’t cover the cabinet frame entirely
- Inset: Integrates the cabinet front in the opening
Here are the most popular kitchen cabinet door styles:
- Raised-panel: Raised center panel
- Recessed panel: Flat panel
- Slab: Single wood slab
- Mullion frame: Has a panel division
- Open frame: No center panel
Wood Type
Different wood types have different impacts on the feel and look of kitchen cabinets. They have varying tones, grains, and densities.
That’s why it’s an important element to consider for your kitchen cabinet door replacement.
Here are some of the most popular kitchen cabinet door wood types:
- Cherry wood
- Maple wood
- Oakwood
- Alder wood
- Hickory wood
- Compounded wood material (laminate or thermofoil)
Color or Finish
There are endless possibilities and options of colors and finishes for your kitchen cabinet door replacement.
It will determine the overall feel of your kitchen cabinet and the entire kitchen. The key is to make sure that it will complement the color and finish of the rest of the cabinet.
Sheen
This is the finishing touch of the cabinet door’s surface that accentuates your chosen color and finish. Aside from this, it also adds a layer of protection on top of the paint for extra durability.
Here are some of the most popular kitchen cabinet door sheens:
- Matte
- Satin
- Semi-gloss
- Gloss
FAQs on How to Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors
After knowing the basics of kitchen cabinet door replacement, it’s time to answer some questions on how to replace kitchen cabinet doors. It will give you an idea of how you can proceed with the project seamlessly.
Can you replace kitchen cabinet doors only?
Yes, it is possible to replace your kitchen cabinet doors only. However, to proceed with this project, you first have to inspect the condition of your existing kitchen cabinet.
If it’s visibly worn out, the best course of the way may be to do an entire replacement. Make sure to look out for any wear and tear and structural damage.
But if you can guarantee that it’s still sturdy enough, then the answer to can you replace kitchen cabinet doors is yes.
How do I get the right door size?
The common concern on can you replace kitchen cabinet doors is getting the right door size. To do this right, use a tape measure and start measuring to around 1/16 inches for both height and width.
Note that standard-sized doors are typically around 5mm shorter and 4mm narrower than the entire cabinet.
To get the most accurate measurement on how to replace kitchen cabinet doors, make sure to measure twice and compare.
How about the hinges?
Can you replace kitchen cabinet doors and have the hinges still line up? Absolutely. Just make sure to take note of which side are the hinges on and the placement of the hinge holes.
It will make the process of how to replace kitchen cabinet doors more seamless.
Can you replace your kitchen cabinet doors yourself?
This is one of the common concerns of DIY homeowners: can you replace kitchen cabinet doors yourself? Fret not because with the right knowledge and skill, how to replace kitchen cabinet doors is an easy task.
It would also help to have someone assist you to prevent mistakes and speed up the procedure.
On the other hand, if you have no time and have money to spend, you can also opt for professional installation.
It will give you a more professional and customized look without having to do all the hard work yourself.
Best Alternatives to Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Cabinet doors have a strong visual presence in the kitchen with space they take up. If you have no issue with the cabinetry but want to spice up your boring cabinet doors, there are alternatives.
These alternatives to kitchen cabinet doors will refurbish your cabinet’s look without having to spend a lot.
With these fill-ins, you’ll say goodbye to the boring neutral shades of your kitchen cabinet. That said, here are some of the best alternatives to kitchen cabinet doors:
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Screen or Wire Mesh
Unlike fully-covered doors, replacing your cabinet doors with screen or wire mesh can create a unique country look.
This alternative doesn’t only create a farmhouse feel but also provides airflow to your cabinet’s content. It’s especially helpful in preventing mold and mildew buildup from damp surfaces.
What’s great with screen and wire mesh is its low cost and variety of design options. It’s also lightweight so it’s easy to install and doesn’t add that much weight to your cabinet.
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Fabric
Using fabric is one of the easiest and cheapest alternatives to kitchen cabinet doors. Think of it like putting up curtains on your kitchen cabinets.
They come in a variety of colors, styles, and designs which you can combine and switch up from time to time. You can also purchase them without difficulty in shops and stores.
Once they get dirty, you can simply load them into the washing machine without needing to replace them.
However, this can be a hassle for some since it tends to be prone to staining if not washed immediately.
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Chalkboards
This is becoming one of the most popular alternatives to kitchen cabinet doors. You can either affix the chalkboard to the door or paint the door surface with chalk paint.
It will make your space both fun and extra functional. Here, you can write down notes, ingredients, or lists that you can remove later.
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Open Shelving
Finally, there are no better alternatives to kitchen cabinet doors than having no doors.
Open shelving allows you to display your kitchenware and glassware as decor. It is a trendy and timeless look that allows you to showcase your character.
How to Measure for Kitchen Cabinet Doors
One of the most important steps in replacing kitchen cabinet doors is how to measure for kitchen cabinet doors. The key here lies in measuring twice and cutting once.
It’s crucial to double-check your measurements to avoid mistakes and oversight.
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Standard Overlay
On how to measure for kitchen cabinet doors with standard overlay, measure it closest to 1/16-inch.
For this, it’s best to add 1 inch to the measurement for both height and width. It will give you the most accurate measurement according to the industry standard.
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Full Overlay
Meanwhile how to measure for kitchen cabinet doors with full overlay needs around ¼-inch hinge overlay.
It should be less than the frame’s width with an addition of 2 ½ inches to the opening’s width. Doing so will prevent obtrusion from adjacent doors.
For a larger overlay, remember to leave a room of at least ⅛ inches minimum where the door meets the hinge. This way, you can guarantee that the door will function as it should.
The measurement for drawer fronts is usually the same for the width. However, it will vary for the height, taking into factor the gap between the drawer bank and base cabinet door.
Meanwhile, it’s best to have a 1-inch overlay for diagonal corner cabinets.
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Double Cabinet Doors
How to measure for kitchen cabinet doors with double cabinets is quite different from measuring single cabinets.
For a more accurate overlay, you’ll have to bring in some math skills. It will help ensure that you’ll get a perfect cabinet door fit.
Here are some notes on how to measure kitchen cabinet doors with double cabinets:
- First, measure the cabinet opening. You do this by getting the total height and width of the cabinet opening from the inside edge.
- Next, put an additional 1 inch to the height you got from the cabinet opening.
- For the width, put an additional 1 inch to the total width. Then, divide the total by 2.
- Make sure to take into account how to properly adjust the hinges so it correctly aligns and does not rub.
How Much to Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Now that we have covered all the things you need to know, let’s talk about the numbers that you need to spend. While how much to replace kitchen cabinet doors is lower than a total replacement, it still costs some penny.
It’s vital to have a breakdown of how much to replace kitchen cabinet doors so you know what to expect. Furthermore, you will also be able to prepare for the tools you need to get beforehand.
To give you a close idea, the overall cost of how much to replace kitchen cabinet doors starts at around $1000. It includes everything from material, hardware, or labor (if necessary).
Cost Per Door
The specs of the door are the primary factor to consider on how much to replace kitchen cabinet doors. Different types and styles of cabinet doors vary in amount.
For instance, it’s logical to pay more for cabinet doors made of premium wood or larger size cabinets.
The average cost of kitchen cabinet doors is around $60 per door. It can go as low as $20 per door and up to $100 or more.
Here are the estimated costs of how much to replace kitchen cabinet doors depending on cabinet type:
- Stock cabinet doors: $11 per sq/ft for Rigid Thermal Foil (RTF); $50 to $100 for unfinished wood
- Custom cabinet doors: $180 to $200
- Glass-front cabinet doors: $150 to $300
Labor
If you opt to hire a pro for the job, expect that you will need to spend more on the labor costs. However, it will save you a lot of time and effort in doing the job.
Usually, contractors charge around $150 to $200 per one cabinet door. It includes the removal, measurement, and installation of the new doors.
Tools and Additional Costs
While you don’t need to spend labor costs when you do the job yourself, you’ll need to spend on the tools. It can cost you around $75 to $200.
These tools are:
- Boring tool
- Cordless drill
- Screwdriver
There will also be additional costs in replacing your kitchen cabinet doors you need to take note of:
- Hinges
- Cleaning products
- Finishing products
Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors
The kitchen cabinet door replacement process can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Simply switching up the look of your kitchen cabinet doors can change your kitchen’s vibe as a whole.
But your first kitchen cabinet door replacement may seem like a daunting task without prior knowledge about it.
That’s why doing your research is a critical part of this project.
As a result, you can prevent costly and headache-inducing mistakes.
Hoping that our article will help you get started on choosing the right materials and steps for your kitchen cabinet door replacements.
