Top 13+ Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

Use the Door Rail as a Guide

The location of knobs and pulls isn't written in stone, but there are some standard practices. One good rule of thumb is to line up a knob with the top of the bottom door rail. If you're installing door pulls, line up the bottom of the pull with the top of the door rail. Always center them on the door stile.

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

Hide Old Holes With Back Plates

If you're switching from a pull to a knob or you'd prefer to select pulls with a different hole pattern for your cabinets, you can cover the old holes or hide damaged surfaces with back plates. Home centers don't have a huge selection, so consider buying from an online source. You'll find hundreds to choose from.

Make a Simple Drawer Template

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

If you don't have a template, make one. This simple template consists of two pieces of wood and takes only a few minutes to make. This same template can be used for almost any size door and most hardware sizes.

Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

If you're having problems with the wood on the back of the cabinet doors tearing out every time you drill a hole, make a two-sided template. Make sure the spacer wood is close to the same size as the cabinet doors. The tighter the fit, the less chance of tear-out.

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight

Every time the screw in a knob works itself loose, the owners of those cabinets are going to think unflattering thoughts about whoever put them in. Avoid the problem by adding a dab of thread sealant to every screw you install.

Mix Putty to Match

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

If back plates won't cover the old holes, use putty to fill them. The wood grain on cabinet doors and fronts usually varies in color, so take one of the doors to a hardware store or home center, and buy three different colors of putty. Buy one that matches the darkest grain, one that matches the lightest grain and one halfway between. Use the three to mix a custom color to fill the holes.

Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

Most drawer pulls are centered on the drawer fronts, but if the cabinet you're working on has two or three drawers the same size and one larger one at the bottom, install the bottom knob (or pull) higher than the center of that drawer front. Install it so all the knobs on the cabinet are spaced evenly. This configuration is pleasing to the eye, and you won't have to bend over as far to open the bottom drawer.

Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

13 Tips To Install Cabinet Hardware Perfectly Every Time Gettyimages 1389698183 Ft, Use the Door Rail as a Guide, Hide Old Holes With Back Plates, Make a Simple Drawer Template, Two-Sided Templates Prevent Tear-Out, Use Thread Sealant to Keep the Screws Tight, Mix Putty to Match, Install Hardware Higher on the Lowest Drawer, Perfect Finish Touch-Ups

After you finish installing cabinet knobs, set aside a small container of the paint or finish used on the cabinets for future touch-ups. If the cabinet manufacturer didn't include one with the cabinets, you can make one by cleaning out an old bottle of nail polish with nail polish remover and filling it with your paint or finish.

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