The Ultimate Guide to Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Notice unsightly water spots on your kitchen cabinet doors? Tired of mold, built-up grime, or excessive wear and tear? After a while, the doors don't have the same look and feel as they once did when you bought them. The paint starts to chip, the hinges start to break off, and the cabinet doors don't have the same appeal they once did when you installed them. This is because most kitchen cabinet doors last around 20-30 years. 

When replacing kitchen cabinet doors, you have a few different options to help you elevate your space. We're here to walk you through everything you need to know about DIY cabinet door replacement and how this investment can change your kitchen - for the better.

Let's dive in:

The Why: Reasons to Update Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors 

There are many reasons you may consider replacing your kitchen cabinet doors. Whether your cabinet doors are outdated and don't match your kitchen or excessive wear and tear is getting in the way of your kitchen design. 

Here are a few common whys:

Functionality 

Your kitchen cabinet doors may not work how they used to when you first bought them. If you're struggling with swollen doors, sagging shelves, or broken hardware - it's time to consider cabinet door replacements. 

Kitchen Design

The kitchen design you chose for your home 20+ years ago might not be the look you want to go for now. The best way to stay ahead of the trends is to find a timeless, versatile cabinet door replacement.

Cost-Effective

Switching out your kitchen cabinet doors is an easy, affordable way to elevate your space. Replacing the entire cabinets can be a costly project to take on and may require you to hire professional renovators. 

The What: Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinet Doors 

When shopping for replacement kitchen cabinet doors for your project, there's a lot you need to consider to ensure you find the perfect match for your project. Each style offers a different look, feel, and function. 

Here's what you need to consider when replacing kitchen cabinets: 

Kitchen Aesthetic 

Whether it’s farmhouse, modern, or Scandinavian - every kitchen aesthetic is unique in its own way. To ensure you can commit to your aesthetic of choice, you’ll want to consider the style of cabinet doors you pick. 

Cabinet Door Styles

There are a variety of cabinet door styles, shapes, and materials to choose from. Each style adds a different detailed touch to your space and can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen. When exploring the cabinet door styles available, you'll want to look for a timeless option that is versatile and functional. When you invest in a high-quality solution and care for them, you can expect them to last up to 30 years. 

Measurement Accuracy

Custom cabinet doors are made to order to fit your current cabinets. Before placing your order for custom cabinet doors, you’ll want to take proper, accurate measurements. If your measurements aren't accurate, your replacement kitchen cabinet doors may not fit your current cabinets.

The How: Step-by-step Guide on Updating Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors 

Once you find the perfect style for your project, it's time to start replacing kitchen cabinet doors. There are a few different methods to consider when learning how to replace cabinet doors. 

Here's a breakdown:

Method 1: Replacing The Kitchen Cabinet Doors 

Replacing kitchen cabinet doors is a great way to get a full kitchen upgrade without removing your cabinets or disrupting your layout. Simply replacing your cabinet doors will allow you to fully upgrade your space and adjust the look of your kitchen to meet your aesthetic needs. 

  • Step one: Before placing your order, you'll want to start by measuring your existing doors. You'll use these measurements to order custom cabinet doors that fit your cabinets.
  • Step two: The replacement cabinet doors have an overlay. This means your replacements will be slightly larger than the cabinet opening. The standard overlay is 1/2 inch on all sides. This means you must add one inch to your width and height measurements. 
  • Step three: Once your new replacement kitchen cabinet doors arrive, you'll want to install the hinges. Most hinges have three holes. The large one is called the hinge cup, and the two other small holes help you achieve an accurate alignment. You'll want to start by mounting the hinge mounting plate to the hinge and then attach the hinge base to the hinge cup. Lock in the mechanism with the smaller boreholes and then press down until the hinge is firmly placed. 
  • Step four: Once your hinges are installed, it's time to mount the doors to your cabinets. You'll want to use clamps to keep the doors at least 1/2-inch below the bottom edge. Hold the door against the face frame and market through the screw slots so you know when to add your screws. After you remove the mounting plates, screw them into the face frame and reattach the hinges to the mounting plate.
  • Step five: After you mount the doors, you may need to make some slight adjustments to ensure an accurate fit. You can easily adjust the screws holding the door in place until the cabinets fit how you want them to. 

Method 2: Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors 

Refacing is the process of giving your current cabinets a facelift. Whether you're replacing the drawer fronts or upgrading the hardware - every small change can improve the visual appearance of old cabinetry. This approach will save you time and money while giving you creative freedom. 

  • Step one: Clean your drawers, remove the old hardware, and sand down the doors if necessary before you remove the old cabinet doors.
  • Step two: Decide what changes you want to make to your cabinet doors. Whether it's replacing hardware, adding a stain, or applying a laminate. 
  • Step three: Add the new cabinet doors back to the cabinets. 

Most cabinet doors are only meant to last around 20-35 years. If your cabinets don't look as great after the changes you make, you may want to consider hiring a professional or replacing kitchen cabinet doors entirely. 

Method 3: Painting Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors 

Repainting your current cabinet doors is a cost-effective way to revamp your space or add a pop of color. However, there are some pros and cons to choosing this approach. For starters, painting your kitchen cabinet doors can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, if you have the time, painting your kitchen cabinet doors can be an eco-friendly approach for a quick visual refresh. 

  • Step one: Buy the materials you need for the project. Depending on the type of cabinets you're painting over, you may need new paint, a paintbrush, primer, and sandpaper. 
  • Step two: Remove your cabinet doors and prepare them for painting by removing all the hardware. 
  • Step three: Choose a paint you want to use and apply it with a paintbrush or roller. After the first coat completely dries, you can apply as many additional coats until you get your desired look. 
  • Step four: Read the hardware and reinstall your newly painted cabinet doors. 

Find High-End Replacement Cabinet Doors At Cabinet Door Factory

When it comes to your kitchen -it pays to have high-end cabinet doors that accurately complement your overall aesthetic. At Cabinet Door Factory, we're the experts in kitchen cabinet doors. We've been the go-to supplier for cabinet doors and home builders for years - and now we're sharing our products with the general public. So you can get a high-end look in your home for a fraction of the cost.  

Explore our selection of replacement kitchen cabinet doors today.