How to Make a Cabinet Door Using Laminate Board

Laminate board is a thin plastic coating used on countertops and kitchen cabinets to make them easy to clean. Usually, particle board is under the laminate, making the cabinet lighter than solid wood. Since the laminate surface has a different density than the particle board center, you can't simply cut your cabinets out of premade boards. Instead, you need to glue the laminate to the particle board on your own after each piece has been cut to size.

Particle board
Laminate
Measuring tape
Rotary saw
Contact glue
Router
Belt sander
Cabinet hardware
Drill
Screws

Instructions

- 1
  Select particle board that’s 5/8 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut the particle board about ½ inch to 1 full inch larger on all sides than the cabinet opening. Use the rotary saw to cut the particle board.
- 2
  Measure out the laminate for every side of the board, including the front and back and all four edges. Measure the laminate 1 inch larger for all sides and cut out all the pieces with the router.
- 3
  Spray the front of the board with the contact glue and press the piece of laminate over it. The ends of the laminate will overhang the board. Allow the glue to dry for two to three hours. Cut off the excess laminate with the router. Repeat this process on all sides of the particle board until it’s completely laminated.
- 4
  Sand the edges of the door smooth with the belt sander.
- 5
  Measure the cabinet door and decide where the hinges will go. Usually cabinet doors have two hinges, both about two inches from the top or bottom of the cabinet. Place the hinges on the cabinet and use the drill to screw them in place.

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