Installing Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin 4 Comments

Kitchen cabinets are manufactured in many different styles. You can find them made of many different woods. The finishes on cabinets can come in as many varieties as you can imagine. To install kitchen cabinets you have to have knowledge of many tools. It is a process that can be accomplished by yourself, but it is a lot easier with help.

When you install kitchen cabinets you start with the upper units. Draw a level line around the kitchen at the desired height. Start in the corner and install the unit plumb and level. Bring the next cabinet in and pre-drill to hit wall studs and through the face plate to attach to the corner cabinet. Hold tight and flush to corner cabinet and put 2 screws through the face plate into the corner cabinet. Screw cabinet level and plumb to the wall. Do this around the entire room where you have cabinets.

After you have all upper cabinets in place, adjust the kitchen doors so they all set even. There are adjusting screws in the hinges of the kitchen doors to do this. You can also put the hardware on the upper doors now.

Kitchen Door Install

A Kitchen Cabinet being Installed

When you are done with the upper units you can start installing the base units. Start in the corner and level the cabinet in place. Make a level line around the room at the height of the corner cabinet. Measure and make sure the cabinets will all work to line. Install the corner cabinet by screwing it into the studs of the wall. Shim the cabinet level and plumb trying to keep it in a straight line with the upper cabinet. Bring cabinets in the order they will be placed. Drill holes through the face plate so it will be easy to screw to corner cabinet. Set in place and shim to line keeping it level and plumb. Screw face plates together and screw to wall. Repeat this process around the room keeping spots available for appliances.

When you have them all installed you can adjust the bottom kitchen cabinet doors so they are even and level. You are now ready to add the counter top and kick plates. You can also add crown molding if you desire.

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Kitchen Cupboard Styles

Posted on January 19, 2012 by admin 4 Comments

There are many styles to choose from when selecting the right kitchen door. I want to discuss some of the options that are available in style and overlay with which there are to choose from. With that being said lets start the learning!

Slab

This style has a flat look to it as it doesn’t have any moldings that accent it’s exterior. It is what its name implies – a “slab” of wood. This is great for a minimalist or contemporary look especially with a darker color cast such as black or dark blue.

Recessed

The recessed style is popular with contemporary kitchens similar to the slab style. The small raised border around the edges of the door accent the recess and give it depth while still being minimalistic.

Raised
 
The raised style has more of a picture frame look to it that is great for a more traditional kitchen. The border is a series of raised and recessed trim that gives it a matted or ornamental look. This style is typically coupled with a cherry or oak wood type.

Shaker
 
Shaker is very similar to the recessed style where it has a small raised border around a recessed area. But this style creates the illusion of two doors with its double recessed looked. This design is good for contemporary or minimalist kitchens.

Cape Cod

The Cape Cod style has a small flat border like the recessed style but the area within the border is made up of small plank-like pieces of wood. This gives the kitchen a very homemade or craftsman feel. This style is great for the rustic and do-it-yourself look.

Arch Kitchen Door Type

Arch Style

Arch

Arch is very reminiscent of the Greek architecture style with a rounded border at the top of the cabinet instead of a square border. This classic style is simple but very elegant.

Standard Overlay

This overlay allows you to see around the cabinets and drawers giving it a “framed” look when compared to the cabinet housing and other doors and drawers. They don’t completely cover the cabinet housing so that you are still able to see it in-between the cabinets and drawers. This is a more traditional look than the full overlay.

Full Overlay

The full overlay makes the cabinets and drawers hide the cabinet housing and make a more streamlined look. The overlay covers so much of the underlying housing that it appears that the “box” is made up of nothing but cabinets and drawers without a frame. This look is more minimalistic and contemporary in style than its standard brethren.

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Cabinet Door Wood Types

Posted on January 12, 2012 by admin 3 Comments

One of the first steps in selecting which kitchen door you want to use is to establish what type of wood and finish do you want. This all depends on what look you are going for in your kitchen. You may want an antique look, a contemporary look, or just a good ‘ole functional kitchen. We will cover the basics of wood types and finishes so that you may make an informed decision or at least have a better idea of what you are looking for.

Cherry – is a dark red tint and is good for more traditional kitchen styles.

Maple – comes in a range of tints from golden brown to dark brown and is good for  traditional or ornamental styles.

Oak – typically will come in golden brown to dark brown tints and is known for its very descriptive grain patterns and can be used in formal kitchen designs.

Hickory – comes in variants from an almost white to a dark red tint. The grain pattern is visible such as oak but it is more streamlined and not as swirly as oak. This type is good for more elegant kitchen designs.

Thermofoil – is a plastic that has been combined with particleboard to create an economical and durable cabinet or drawer. This is great for contemporary or minimalist kitchens and it comes in a variety of colors.

Laminate – this type is actually particleboard that has laminate, several layers of paper that are compressed together to create a more durable sheet, glued to the front of it. This can come in many colors and designs, even that of wood grain. This type is inexpensive and very easy to clean great for minimalistic kitchen designs.

kitchen cabinet doors dark wood

Cherry cabinets with a standard overlay

Finishes

Wood Tones – are more warm colors and come in a variety of tones from light to dark. The type of wood used on the cabinet will determine how much of the grain you will see. If you used Oak you will get the swirly look of the grain whereas if you used maple you wouldn’t see the grain that much.

Color Casts – allow you to add vibrant color to your kitchen design. Colors can come in reds, yellows, blues and greens. This finish tends to hide the grain of the wood underneath to give a more matted finish.

Glaze – is a finish that is great for accentuating the recesses, the depth and mold of the cabinet doors. Cabinets with this finish will appear warmer and have that antique look to it.

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