Cabinet refacing is a quick and cost-effective way to freshen up your space without a complete remodel. It allows you to keep thecabinet shells and replace the doors and fronts with new, exciting designs. DIY-ers enjoy theeaseof cabinet refacing because the process is simple.
However, it is crucial to get the measurements right to ensure the cabinet doors and fronts fit.When done right, itboostsappeal and makes the space look newer.
Before you start measuring your cabinet doors, get yourself a quality tape measure and a notepad. Replacing cabinet drawer fronts and cabinet doors can freshen up the appearance of your storage areas. So, how do you measure them for cabinet refacing? I Important note:If you plan on reusing your current hinges then you only need to measure your current doors and drawer front's width and height to the nearest 1/16" to get the replacement cabinet doors and drawer fronts you need to remodel your kitchen or bath...it's that simple! — We recommend measuring the backside of the drawer front or cabinet door to determine its width and height and bring it to the nearest 1/16".
To avoid errors, remember the old adage, “Measure twice, cut once.” We offer a cabinet door configurator on our site and it is a handy tool for larger kitchen remodeling projects. You can use it to calculate the replacement cabinet doors and drawer sizes once you have measured the width, height and selected overlay size. .
Take a look at this table if you're unfamiliar with fraction-to-decimal conversions. We use all fractional sizes on our site.
Below are the different ways to calculate replacement cabinet door, drawer front and frame measurements to calculate overlay size for cabinet refacing.
DETERMINE THE CABINET DRAWER AND DOOR OVERLAYS
"Overlay" refers to how much of the cabinet door or drawer front overlaps the cabinet's opening or cabinet frame. Among the standard cabinet door sizes, there are two common overlay types — partial and full overlays. Note: The size of the overlay equals the the size of the hinge you'll need. 1/2" overlay = 1/2" overlay hinges.
Partial overlays are the most common overlay size which means your cabinet doors and drawer fronts extend 1/2" over the cabinet's opening or face frame. Full overlays,on the other hand, extend 1 1/4"over the opening/frame and 1 1/4" overlay hinges. A partial overlay will leave around 1" of exposed frame around your cabinet door or drawer, while a full overlay will only leave a 1/4" around the cabinet frame. Deciding on the overlay is up to you and how you want your finished kitchen or bath to look.
Partial Overlay Example: Full Overlay Example:
Knowing how to measure cabinets for partial or full overlay iskey. If you decide to update or change your hinges, theoption you choose depends on the size of the hinges you have or determines the size you'll need.
To calculate your cabinet overlay, we're going to measure from the cabinet opening's edge to the cabinet door's or drawer's edge while it's closed. To do this, place a piece of masking tape on the cabinet face frame, following vertically along the door or drawer's outside edge. The other option is make a small pencil mark on the outside edge of the cabinet door and do the same measurement as stated above. Then, open the cabinet door or drawer and measure from the opening's edge to the masking tape's/pencil mark inside edge. Repeat this method on all sides of the cabinet's opening, switching to horizontal with the widths. If the distance between the cabinet opening edge to the tape/mark is 1/2" then your cabinet overlay is 1/2".
Now that you have your overlay, selecting the cabinet door hinges is easy so you canpick the right hingeand install it correctly. As mentioned above, if your cabinet door overlays the face frame at 1/2" on all the edges, you'll need to install a 1/2" concealed overlay hinge for a custom fit. The same goes for full overlay...if your overlay is 1 1/4" then you would need a 1 1/4" cabinet hinge. Cabinet Doors 'N' More offers both 1/2" and 1 1/4" Blum soft close hinges from our site.
Once you have all of the information, then we suggest using our cabinet door configurator to easily calculate your cabinet door and drawer sizes. Simply plug in the width and height of the cabinet opening, select your overlay and the door sizes will automatically calculate for you.
HOW TO MEASURE CABINET DRAWER FRONTS AND CABINET DOORS
Below shows you should calculate both width and height for a cabinet door or drawer front:
If your cabinets don't already have drawer fronts or doors, you can still take measurements before installing them.
Measuring drawer fronts or doors allows you to get a fitting for refacing in just a few steps. However, you can also use the cabinet opening method to ensure functionality.
HOW TO MEASURE USING YOUR CABINET OPENING
Measuring the cabinet opening ensures the cabinet refacing process runs as smoothly as possible. It also helps create a functional and aesthetically pleasing modification.
Follow these simple steps on how to measure cabinets for replacement or refacing using your cabinet opening:
Measure the inner edges from left to right from the inside edge of the left stile to the right stile to determine the width. The stile is the vertical part of the face frame.
Measure from the inner edge of the bottom rail to the top rail. The rail is the horizontal section of the face frame.
To achieve the industry standard of 1/2" overlay, you would simply add 1" to your total measurement for width and height, respectively.
Measuring using your cabinet opening is an excellent method for cabinet refacing. It can even be applied to double doors.
Cabinet Opening (for both cabinet doors and drawer fronts)
Example from the above image: If you're measuring a cabinet opening 15 inches wide and 27 inches tall and wanted to achieve a 1/2 inch overlay, you would add 1" to the width and height of cabinet opening and order a cabinet door16 inches wide and 28 inches tall. Your desired door overlay may vary, so please take that into account when calculating your overall measurements.
If you want to reference our Cabinet Door Configurator to help, it's quite simple to use:
Plug in the width of your cabinet opening, then the height of the cabinet opening and then add the cabinet overlay you would like for your cabinet doors. Once the overlay is chosen, the dimensions of the cabinet doors are shown. If you change the overlay, the cabinet door dimensions will change.
Do you have a single cabinet opening but want to install double cabinet doors over it for better visual appeal and functionality?The following calculation based on the standard partial overlay is ideal. You can adjust the calculation to suit a more significant overlap if you desire it.
Here's how tomeasure double cabinet doors for a single opening using 1/2" as your overlay:
Determine the total width and height of the cabinet opening, taking measurements from its inside edge.
Add 1" to the opening's height.
Add 1" to the total width and divide it by two.Unless you're using adjustable European concealed hinges which allows you to make adjustments, subtract 1/16" from the width of your door to ensure a good fit and avoid rubbing.
Here's an example calculation for double doors on a 24" x 30" opening with a 1/2" overlay:
30" + 1" = 31" height
24" + 1" = 25" width.
25" / 2 = 12 1/2" width per door.
Based on thisinformation, you'll need to order two doors at 12 1/2" x 31".
HOW TO MEASURE FOR INSET CABINET DOORS
Inset cabinet doors fit in the cabinet's frame or opening.They providea smooth look. So, how do you measure for inset cabinet door replacement? Simply measure the cabinet opening's width and height and subtract 1/4" to leave a gap for the doors to close neatly.
Here's an example based on a 16" x 34" cabinet opening:
Formula:1/4" (width) x 1/4" (height)
Calculation:16" - 1/4" x 34" - 1/4" = 15 3/4" x 33 3/4"
In this example, your inset door will need a width of 15 3/4" and a height of 33 3/4".
A note on IKEA cabinet doors — IKEA sells European and ready-to-assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets across the United States. You can use the same cabinetry measurement methods if you want to replace or reface the doors. However, in order for Cabinet Doors 'N' More to bore hinge holes, you need to use IKEA's UTRUSTA cabinet hinge measurements.
Hinge boringinvolvesdrilling a hole into the back of the cabinet door to install european concealed hinges. This hole doesn't go all the way through the door and typically measures 1 3/8" in diameter. The placement for hinge boring is done according to its size and will always be on the cabinet door's height side. All of our doors are bored 3" from the top and bottom of each cabinet door (3" to the center of the hinge boring hole). If you plan on using exposed hinges that you screw into the frame and the back of the door, then you can select "No Hinge Boring" from our option list.
It's also important to note which way your cabinet door will open.If it swings left, hinge holes must be bored on the left side and vice versa. This consideration is especiallyimportantwithcathedral-raised and arched panelcabinet doors.
However, hinge boring holes on square panel cabinet doors can be ordered as left or right as you can flip it to fit either side of the cabinet.
Note: If you are ordering arched or cathedral raised panel cabinet doors, you need to specify specifically for left or right hinge boring.
Wood Cabinet Doors
3" from top and bottom of cabinet doors
No custom hinge boring available
Rigid Thermofoil (RTF) Cabinet Doors
3" from top and bottom of cabinet doors
No custom hinge boring available
Hinge boring for wood andrigid thermofoil (RTF) panel cabinet doorsaren't customizable. With typical cabinet door dimensions, 42" or less height or 13 1/16" to 36" height, their hinge holes are placed 3" from the cabinet door's top and bottom. However, their placement and quantity may need to change depending on the door's height. Here's a table detailing these variations:
Solid wood cabinet doors
Hinge bores
Rigid thermofoil (RTF) cabinet doors
Hinge bores
Height of 42" or less
Two
Height of 8" to 13"
Two (placed 2" from top and bottom of the cabinet door)
Height of 42 1/16" to 72"
Three
Height of 13 1/16" to 36"
Two
Height of 72 1/16" or more
Four
Height of 36 1/16" to 60"
Three (middle hinge bore placed in the center of the cabinet door)
Just like a cabinet door, taking accurate measurements for cabinet drawer fronts is simple, with processes similar to those above. If you plan on replacing a existing drawer front with a new style or wood species, all we need you to do is measure the backside of the drawer front for width and height to the nearest 1/16th.
Existing cabinet drawer fronts may not always be available. With two simple steps, we'll help you get precise measurements for an attractive fit. Drawer overlay is the amount of material that extends beyond the cabinet opening and rests against the cabinet surfaces. In the industry, 1/2 inch is standard. Learn how to measure the size of a drawer front using an empty space in two simple steps:
Get your width and height: Measure the inside edge of the drawer opening for the width and height.
Compensate for overlay: Add one inch to each measurement, creating 1/2 inch overlay on every side.
If you want to check your numbers before placing your order, give us a call and we'll be happy to help.
COMMON DIY REFACING MISTAKES TO AVOID
Cabinet refacing is simple, but DIYers can make common mistakes that can affect how it looks and works.Here are the common DIY refacing mistakes and how you can avoid them.
MISCALCULATING
When measuring cabinet dimensions, always remember the golden rule — measure twice and cut once. Ensure that you've correctly checked the measurements and are sure they're accurate before you begin. Always calculate the hinge placement and alignment to avoid misaligned or crooked doors.
Remove any objects that may be cluttering the space and ask someone to help you hold the measuring tape in place.
CHOOSING MISMATCHED DESIGNS
Cabinet refacing allows you to upgrade your space with new colors and designs. Ensure that the cabinet door you choose goes with the space's style. For example, if your room is minimalist,sleek Shaker-style cabinet doors would be a perfect way to refresh the area's appearance. Take an inventory of the room's design style and pieces and choose cupboard doors that would complement those elements.
Avoid mixing cool and warm tones, specifically when it comes to neutrals. For example, if your area is cool white but you install warm, off-white doors, they will look out of place.
Think about what you want to add to the room. Lighter cabinet doors can make the space look airy, and darker shades can add warmth and depth.
MAKING LAYOUT ERRORS
You don't want the cabinet doors to be in the way of appliances or decor items. The doors can collide with equipment and make using the space more challenging. Even a subtle change, like pointed edges, can make a significant difference to its ease of use.
To avoid layout conflicts, ensure you measure the cabinet door dimensions correctly. Check the dimensions of the nearby equipment. Consider the size of the items you store in the cabinet.
USING LOW-QUALITY MATERIALS
When you replace cabinet doors, you want them to last for years before you need to change them. Many make the mistake of buying cheap cabinet doors that start to fade or fall apart quickly. Buy a quality door the first time! Your kitchen is one of the most visible rooms in your house...invest in that room!
Invest in high-quality, long-lasting materials like wood cabinet door styles. While they may bepricier, they'll be more durable.
FOLLOWING TRENDS
One of the most common refacing mistakes is choosing short-lived trends over timeless styles. You can still choose bold colors and statement pieces while adapting them to increase the value of your home.
The best way to avoid fads is to stick to a neutral color palette and add bold accents for a personal touch. Neutrals like white or gray will never go out of style.
ORDER CUSTOM CABINET REFACING PRODUCTS FROM CABINET DOORS 'N' MORE
At Cabinet Doors 'N' More, we have cabinet replacement products that can completely transformyour space.We make our products from the highest-quality, environmentally friendly materials. We also provide free shipping with no minimum requirements.
Our site iseasy to navigate. You can place an order in less than five clicks. Here's how to place an order on Cabinet Doors 'N' More in just a few steps:
Pickyour favoritecabinet doors, drawer fronts or other accessories.
Choose your desired modifications,likewood speciesand primer.
Provide the measurements in width x height for the desired products and add them to the cart.
Select hinge boring placement and hinges if you require new ones.
Once we process the payment, we verify it and start the manufacturing process.
Once we verify your order, it typically takes around 10 to 15 business days to ship.Contact usfor advice on getting the correct measurements.
For help taking measurements, or to speak to an expert about placing an order, please contact us or call 667-877-8777.
