Cabinet doors can make your kitchen or bathroom look better or worse, as well as impact the durability of the cabinets themselves. The secret to getting good counters lies in the craftsmanship and the quality of the materials used.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Building a Plain Door
Step 1. Choose the type of door you want to build
There are two basic models which are also the most used: flat doors and raised panels; you have to take into account construction times, resistance, ease of cleaning and maintenance.
Step 2. Choose the right material
Most of the panels are made of plywood; use MDF on a painted or coated surface to achieve a rustic look.
Step 3. Choose solid wood when you want to make a door
You can glue several boards to get the panel of the width and length you want or use a single piece of wood that has been cut to size; however, be aware that in this case the costs are generally prohibitive.
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Report the dimensions of the door on the axis of the material you have chosen.
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Cut out the door from the plank using a table or circular saw.
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Refine the front edges using a cutter of your choice.
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Add the finishing touches you want, mount the hinges, the knob and at this point you are ready to install the door.
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Method 2 of 2: Build a Detected Panel
Step 1. Build a raised panel to give your wall cabinets a professional look
You have to remember that this project requires more tools, more skills and more time; however, if you feel like taking on the challenge, the result is very rewarding. The door is made up of two vertical elements on the sides, two crosspieces (one at the upper edge and one at the lower one) and a central panel.
- Cut out the vertical elements and crosspieces from a 25mm wide wooden plank - if possible - and sand or plan them to a constant 20mm width. The precision and uniformity of this operation ensure that the various elements fit together correctly.
- The crossbars should be about 12mm narrower than the vertical elements, but the width depends on the specific project and the look you want to achieve.
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Cut the pieces to the length you need and shape the inside edge with a groove bit mounted on a bench router.
Make Cabinet Doors Step 4Bullet3 - Cut the crossbars to the required length. You can obtain it by measuring the distance between the outer edge of the vertical axes up to the beginning of the rounded edge you made with the milling machine; subtract the width of the wall unit opening from this value and cut the crosspieces accordingly. Again, shape the inside edge with the groove tip you used earlier.
Step 2. Change the router bit by mounting one for grooves and joints
This kind of tool allows to obtain a perfect adherence between the vertical elements and the crosspieces; work the ends of each axis with this bit.
Step 3. Determine the size of the panel by measuring the distance between the outer edges and the beginning of the rounded one
Subtract this value from the total height and width of the door. The center piece is typically made from a 6mm thick plywood panel - the same type of wood used for the wall unit.
- Cut the panel to slightly smaller dimensions than necessary to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood; usually, this "gap" must be as large as the thickness of the table saw blade.
- Start assembling the door by brushing the glue on the inside of the vertical elements, where they fit together with the crossbars and then insert the tenon.
Step 4. Put rubber spacer balls (available at all DIY stores) inside the groove you created with the cutter
Fit the central panel.
Step 5. Apply glue to the cross member tenon and snap the second vertical element into place
Block everything with sliding clamps and let the adhesive dry.
Step 6. Sand the door, add the finishing touches you want, assemble the necessary hardware and install the panel on the wall unit
Advice
- Accuracy is the key to success. Carve pieces of scrap wood with the router to verify that the edges fit together perfectly, making sure you have set the height and square of the tool correctly.
- The style and decorations of the door may vary, you can opt for a flat panel (as described in this article), for one raised or with glass inserts; the choice depends on the result you want to achieve.
- The measures indicated in the article refer to doors and wall units of standard dimensions; always check that your kitchen or bathroom cabinets meet these criteria before you start.
- Enhance the appearance of the doors by adding a molding that is aligned or offset from the edge.
- Do not glue the central panel; the spacer balls keep it firmly allowing the wood to move or expand.
