Replacement Cabinets and Drawers

Removing Existing Surfaces

• The first step in replacing kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts is to remove your existing doors and drawers. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the screws holding the cabinet door hinges in place. Keep the screws and hinges as you will need them to reattach your new cabinet doors. In addition, remove the drawer from the sliding track holding it in place in the cabinet unit. This is often done by lifting the drawer slightly upwards to lift the sliding track out of the sliding base. Remove the drawer front from the drawer sides and bottom panel using a screwdriver. In addition, remove the hardware from both the drawer front and cabinet door, if you wish to reuse them.

Replacement Wood

• Choose strong and high-quality wood for your replacement cabinet doors and drawer fronts to ensure they do not break or crumble during use. Purchase hardwood, high-quality and top-graded plywood sheets or softwood for your kitchen. Although it is tempting to purchase cheaper wood sheets with the intention of painting them, avoid doing so as they may not hold well during months or years of use. Use the existing drawer fronts and cabinet doors to get the appropriate measurements.

Decorations and Paints

• After you have cut the wood for the replacement cabinet doors and drawer fronts, add molding with wood glue and small screws to the new panels. Let them all dry before attempting to paint or stain the new fronts. Paint or stain the fronts using even paint strokes. Add several coats for a solid or opaque look.

Adding Hardware

• Add knobs and handles to the cabinet doors and drawer fronts as the final step of the entire replacement process. Do not add them until you have attached the cabinet door to the frame using the hinges and screws, and attached the drawer front to the drawer frame using screws and a screwdriver. Waiting until the end helps you place the handles and knobs in the proper place.