Sunday, January 31, 2010

What You Keep Inside That is the Way to Selection of Display Cabinets

Every household has many items which are expensive and require proper keeping. Good many items may not be of regular use, but are collections worth displaying to add charms to living rooms. Unquestionably, there are items better suited in the bedrooms for viewing. Especially, the children keep collecting wonderful toys. A number of children are able to keep these intact without damage. Such toys are source of nurturing memories of the childhood and become precious collection for the next generations. All of these are too valuable to exhibit and store properly without a damage; display cabinets answer the need.

Display cabinets come in various styles and sizes. A right choice needs considering what you want to keep. The shape of a cabinet will of course depend upon the space where you want to place it, say along the wall or in a corner. Type of articles influencing the style and size could be a television or a music system. Further, one may include beautiful and exquisite crockery collected from different places. All of such articles need to be kept safely and well displayed to silently provide a touch of liveliness to a home.

A marked difference exists between the traditional style and modern styling of display cabinets. Modern designing is tiled towards sleekness. These styles are space saving and look better for sleek articles. You can imagine that a slim flat screen TV set will be a complete mismatch when placed in a heavy set wooden display cabinet. Modern glass cabinets go better for antique objects focused with spotlights to make these more revealing the charm. Colour of cabinet also affects the articles placed inside. For a number of articles, light shaded wood finish with mirrored back panel give an eye-catching feel.

Now-a-days there is abundance of available choice. Simple reason for this is the designers' cue from the trend of designs of various articles. The first evidence is making height adjustable shelves and shelves suspended with varying width. Such shelving allows keeping articles of different heights easily. Furthermore, the styles of the modern display cabinets match with modern interior décor. According to preference, you can go for open front cabinets or glass shuttered cabinets. The open front cabinets offer unrestricted access to visitors. In that respect front shuttered cabinets are more agreeable to restrict the access. Again, if you feel happy to hear the words of praise from the visitors, open front cabinets serve the purpose well.

Like styles, the modern designs also offer better choice of shades. Varieties of finishing come in natural wood tones or overlay of different types of surface paintings. Similarly, display cabinets come for a range of price to the suite the affordability.

the article from EzineArticles.com

Building Your Own Ones -Kitchen Cabinets

If you are a homeowner who would like to save money by doing some home improvement projects yourself, you may be considering building your own cabinets. Whether for the dining room, hallway, or a big project like the kitchen, tackling this task can be formidable, but with the right plans and attitude, as well as the right tools, it can be done.

Building your own cabinetry not only saves you money, it can also allow you to be more creative with space and designs, even changing certain aspects as you go along.

Finding or Designing the Right Plans

You don't have to have a degree in engineering or architecture to create plans when it comes to building your own cabinets, but then again, most people can't just sit down and design from scratch. One thing that you can do is come up with a concept, do some rough sketches, and then consult with someone who is familiar with home improvement design.

For example, if you want to build your own kitchen cabinetry, simply stand in the kitchen and look around, imagining what you would like to see where.

Invite feedback from others who live in the home, or advice from those who have tackled this task before. Do some sketches, write down some ideas, and then consult with a professional if need be. The alternative to this would be to simply purchase plans, either ones that are already for sale or from someone who can customize some for you.

Scheduling Project Stages

When you are creating your plans for building your own cabinets, you want to divide them into sections and stages. Number them, and follow the sequence that you've laid out. Not only does this help you to avoid mistakes, but it also makes the whole project seem less daunting. Schedule plenty of time to complete each stage of the project, and try to stay within this timetable.

Checking Your Work

After each stage of building, assess what has been done, and make any corrections or changes that you think are needed. This way, you are more likely to be satisfied with the finished product. It's a good idea to get a second opinion on each stage, too. An objective set of eyes can often point out things that you've missed.

You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that building your own cabinets is not the impossible task that it may have seemed to be at first. If you take it in careful steps, you can end up with cabinetry that you are proud to say you've built, and you will be more than happy with the money you saved.

Articles from EzineArticles.com

Friday, January 29, 2010

Many Choices-Corner Cabinets

Many shoppers choose corner cabinets because they are space efficient, offer unique storage options, and come in a selection of classic and contemporary styles. Still, even after settling on the choice to buy a corner cabinet, many shoppers are still unsure of exactly what to get. This can be because there are such a lot of choices when it comes to this kind of cabinet.

The kind of cabinet a shopper chooses depends principally on the intended function of the cabinet. Cabinets can be used for a wide range of things including but not restricted to china, liquor, linen, televisions, books, and a selection of alternative items. The intended space for the cabinet will influence its intended function.

Something like a Hyde Park corner cabinet by Uttermost Furniture could be helpful for something like liquor or maybe day-to-day storage. These varieties of cabinets are low lying and made of darker wood. Since they're not terribly tall, they're a touch more subtle. Shorter corner cabinets are often designed for, or will double-as, tv tables. Corner TV cupboards are great for space efficiency.

Corner cabinets are nice secondary television displays. A corner style tv display will get the television out of the way and will unencumber more space in the room. Also, the cabinets beneath the television display can be used to store DVD's, DVD players, gaming consoles, and video game disks. These storage capabilities further the convenience and organization factors for corner style tv display cabinets.

Anyone trying to store a television without the tv taking control of the area should consider corner cabinets. Corner style television cabinets supply the most effective mix of function and style for small scale home entertainment. Corner style tv entertainment cabinets will be found at a local furniture outlet or at varied online furniture retailers. As always, be sure to measure the intended area before purchasing.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Keuco Bathroom Cabinets For Convenient and Easy Storage

Add to the aura of opulence and style in your bathroom with striking and lustrous accessories that are available in contemporary and traditional designs. Featured with utmost safety and comfort, these are useful for practical efficiency or daily activities and offers convenience at the users end.

A class range of bathroom accessories such as {a href= http://www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk/default.aspx?Category=1393}Gessi taps that suits respective schemes of the room creates a striking feature and makes it a perfect relaxing space. Making wise decision in the selection of taps and fittings is necessary, as a chic tap can mould the overall look of the suite. Considering both looks and practicalities, these are appropriate for present day need and taste and are fabricated using superior grades of material. Offered in various finishes and designs, these are sure to cast a spell on the minds on the onlooker. Besides, the chartley taps are also worth adorning your bathrooms. Available with convenient designs and chunky handles, these are easy to manage and are a perfect blend of contemporary appeal and magnificent designs. Offering classic opulence, these taps are in sync with the latest market trends and match various color schemes and themes of traditional as well as modern bathrooms. In order to have an uncluttered space in the bathrooms, cabinets are the best options. The smooth finish of the {a href= http://www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk/default.aspx?Category=1089}keuco bathroom cabinets carry an aesthetic appeal and add to the interiors of the bathroom. Available with several partitions, these uniquely structured cabinets are functional for storage and serves as a bathroom utility. Ideal for storing various articles with supreme convenience and ease, these are a must-have for small bathrooms for creating an illusion of space.

Innovatively designed bathroom décor elements play wonders in adorning the room with supreme luxury and splendor. Replenish bathrooms with trendy collection of fittings and accessories that makes bathrooms the focal point of your home.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

When Choosing Your Bathroom Cabinets

Are you planning on remodeling your Bathroom in the upcoming days, weeks, or months? If so, have you decided what you would like to have remodeled? There are some homeowners who only choose to remodel a small portion of their bathroom, but there are others who wish to remodel every square inch of it. Whether you are only looking to plan a small remodeling project or a large one, there is a good chance that you may be in need of new bathroom cabinets.
When it comes to Bathroom cabinets, you will find that not everyone needs or wants them. There are some homeowners who choose to keep their bathrooms as simple as they could possible be, which often includes leaving the cabinets out of the bathroom. Despite the fact that not all homeowners have cabinets inside their bathrooms, a large number of them do. One of the reasons for that is storage space. Whether you are looking for a place to store your bath towels or your health and beauty products, a bathroom cabinet may come in handy.

Whether you are looking to replace your old bathroom cabinets with new ones or if you are installing cabinets in your Bathroom for the first time, you will need to make a decision. That decision is what type of cabinets you would like to purchase. Although it may seem like a fairly easy decision to make, you may find that it isn't as easy as you originally thought. One of the reasons for that is because all of the choices that you will have. When it comes to buying new cabinets for your bathroom, you will find that you, literally, have an unlimited number of different options.

Perhaps, the best thing to do, when looking for new Bathroom cabinets, is decide what you would like to have or, at least, where you would like to have them. For instance, if you are remodeling the rest of your bathroom, there is a chance that you may have already decided on a new bathroom sink or toilet. If that is the case, you will want to choose bathroom cabinets that will match the rest of your remodeled bathroom. Although you may be unable to pre-select a style, you should at least be able to decide on a color. The color, alone, may come in handy when shopping for a new set of bathroom cabinets.

In addition to the color, it is also important that you determine how much space you have available for cabinets. This is important because bathroom cabinets come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. Many Bathroom cabinets can be resized, with the right training or professional assistance, but it may be impossible to do it will all cabinets. That is why it is advised that you know, ahead of time, how much room you will have for your bathroom cabinets. The last thing that you will want is to be stuck with a set of cabinets that are too big for your bathroom.

Once you have decided what size bathroom cabinets you need, as well was what color cabinets you want, you may want to start shopping. Whether you do your shopping online or in one of your local home improvement stores, you will find that shopping, almost always, makes it easier to find the bathroom cabinets of your dreams. In fact, if you are remodeling the rest of your Bathroom, it may be a good idea to make all of your purchases at the same time. Doing so may help to ensure that all of the bathroom fixtures, materials, and supplies used will compliment each other; often resulting in the best bathroom ever.

Whether you decide to shop for your bathroom cabinets, as well as the rest of your bathroom remodeling supplies, online or in one of your local home improvement stores, it is important that you take a minute to examine your decision. Bathroom remodeling projects can not only take a lot of time, but a lot of money; therefore, you will want to make sure that your decision is the right one.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Proper Care Of Kitchen Cabinets

For those who have recently added new cabinets to their kitchen, it is understood how much proper care can have an impact on keeping them in the right condition. If you want your cabinets to last you for years after you buy them, you have to keep them maintained. This is also very important if you have wood cabinets. The information below may be able to provide you with a few useful tips.
You should thoroughly read the packaging that your cabinets come in when you purchase them. There are usually some clues about how to take care of your cabinets via the information found on these. Different types of brands and styles may also have specific instructions you should follow to maintain them. Usually you can find at least a little information about taking care of your cabinets this way.

In the case where this information does not come along with your cabinets, you can find some information by searching online. This can be helpful for people who have wood cabinets especially. You can find out what is abrasive and harmful to your cabinets based on what type of material your cabinets are constructed out of.

You should really consider the abrasiveness of products if you have cabinets that are painted. Products that would work great on bare cabinets are often not as equal for working on painted cabinets and can take the paint off of them. If you want something generally very gentle for cleaning, you should try organic cleansing products.

If you notice that your hinges are squeaking on your cabinets or the cabinets do not open and close with ease like they did previous, try some hinge lubrication. There are many types of these, but you need to find one that works adequately for your own cabinets. Avoid anything too greasy. If it is greasy, it can mess up your finish, particularly on wood cabinets.

Take an interest in different types of polishes that you can use on your kitchen cabinets. These can make your cabinets look like new again or even just give them a nice shine. Some polishes also work as cleaners, so check the bottles to see if this option is included as well.

A few of the suggestions listed here should keep your cabinets looking as beautiful as they did when you first got them, if not more. You should read about the products you choose instead of just choosing whichever product seems to be the best on the shelf. The right choice will let your cabinets be preserved for years.

Article from goArticles.com

Monday, January 25, 2010

Choosing Your Home Furniture

If you’re moving into a new home or redecorating an old what better way to freshen up your lifestyle than by choosing some elegant new furniture to match.

On our website we have a huge range to select from – everything from stylish Rustic Oak to sleek modern Oak, Pine and Glass.

We have furniture ranges to suit all pockets and for every room in the house – bedroom, dining, lounge, kitchen and even a wide selection of elegant garden furniture.
With such a wide range to choose from purchasing just the right home furniture can certainly be an overwhelming task so here are a few tips on matching furniture to your new home.

Setting your Budget.
First we’d recommend setting an affordable and achievable budget for your new furniture. You can divide this by rooms you are planning on refurbishing. Setting your budget early will make the search easier and pay dividends in the long run, making the process of selecting and purchasing furniture more effective.

Take the proper Measurements.
Prior to your first shopping foray you need to measure as accurately as possible the available space in each room. Furniture sets come in a huge variety of sizes – some pieces might not fit entirely in your room. Do your measuring in advance so that you do not waste too much time looking at furniture that will never fit.
Tip: Measure the rooms you wish to place new furniture and work out how best to effectively use the available space.
Economical use of space and well considered arrangement of new furniture could create an illusion of space and really brighten dining rooms and bedrooms.

Prioritise.
Draw up a list of which rooms are most important and decide what furniture you need to change to achieve your new look.
E.g. rather than change like with like on a traditional dining set and buffet hutch, why not combine with a stylish display cabinet or sleek TV Video, entertainment unit?

Choose your Style.
What kind of furniture will match the style of my new room?
The common styles include modern, rustic, country, formal or elegant. Choosing wisely will make all the difference in achieving your new look and maintaining balance in your home.

Plan for each Room.
Is cooking your passion? Do you like large family meals? Then obviously you are likely to be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Choosing just the right kitchen table is going to very important so here are some factors to take into consideration.
Again, start with budget – if this is the most important room in your home then spend as much as you can afford on your new kitchen table as you are going to use it a lot and will need it to last for a long time.

Bare in mind that having chosen to shop online with Ivy House Furniture you will be already saving hundreds of pounds – remember we are frequently up to 60% cheaper than many high street alternatives with fast free delivery – so go for the best you can afford, confident that you are getting the best value for money in the UK.

One of the most important factors to consider is table size which will ultimately depend on the size of your family or how many people you expect to be entertaining on a regular basis. Prior to purchasing, remember to make sure that there is adequate space for the table in your dining room. The last thing you want is the inconvenience of having to repackage and send the table back because you didn't take proper measurements.

The material of the table is also important, as you can choose from glass, wood, stainless steel or even different combinations of them. When choosing a table, you want to be sure that it will match the rest of the furniture in your home. Matching tables and chairs can really improve the overall look of your home so be sure to spend extra time when deciding on a set.

The same applies to all other rooms in your home. Large bedroom furniture takes up a lot of space yet it’s surprising what you can fit in if you plan ahead – visualise the room, or sketch it out and work out a plan. What’s the priority? a large wardrobe, a dressing table or chest? A kingsize bed with bedside cabinets? A mirror can add the illusion of space and is great for brightening dark rooms.

When selecting your bed go for the best you can afford. You spend nearly a third of your life in bed – make sure you are comfortable. Ivy House Furniture has a great range of top beds from manufacturers like Bentley Designs, Silentnight and Julian Bowen to choose from and represents the best value for money in the UK.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Think of Keuco Bathroom Cabinets When Find Stylish Storage Solutions

Right choice of bathroom accessories adds to the décor of your homes while the wrong ones just mar the overall look and appears out of the place. Liven up your bathrooms with elegant and fascinating fittings that carry a charismatic appeal and render comfort and splendor.

Extensive collection of bathroom fittings and accessories offers a sleek modern look to your bathroom interior and drives the pleasure of independent living. The intellectual usage of accessories and fittings aids in turning your bathrooms into showpieces of your homes and provides a swanky appeal. In fact, the best and perfect matching accessories create an enthralling visual effect and take you to a world of fantasy. Adorning bathrooms with chic gessi taps that completely harmonizes with the overall look and theme of the bathrooms can compliment the décor and add grandeur to the room. The wise choice of taps with outstanding style and finish can create all the difference to the suite. When looks and practicalities become the prime concern in embellishing bathrooms, well planned cabinets play an undeniable role. Tactile and elegant keuco bathroom cabinets create a sleek as well as a cohesive scheme in your dream bathroom. The classic opulence and attractive finishes of cabinets carry decorative implications and reflects one's aesthetic choice. Cabinets are an ideal choice for an uncluttered space and the ones with mirrored doors serve dual purpose. Besides, the sliding door cabinets are a great space saver especially for small bathrooms and are also available with built-in saver points, heating units and fluorescent lighting.

For pure luxury, opt for world class accessories and fittings that give an unusual and striking touch to your bathrooms with traditional or contemporary designs. A soothing bathroom is what one desires for a satisfied beginning of the day, and an updated and organized bathroom stands ideal for both hectic mornings and relaxed weekends

5 Simple Steps to Install Cupboard Hinges

Properly installing cupboard hinges ensures the right hang and fit for your cupboard doors and a great look for your new kitchen.


Step 1 – Choose Hinge Type
You have options:

■Lift Joint Hinges allow you to remove the cupboard doors without removing the hinges.
■Lacquered Cabinet Hinges are decorative and show on the cabinet face.
■Pivot Hinges attach the to top and bottom and other door, but are otherwise concealed.
■Flush or Butt Hinges show only the barrel of the hinge.
■European Hinges are a newer concealed hinge style that is very popular.

Due to their popularity, this article discusses the installation of the European hinge. Others will be slightly different.


Step 2 – Install the Base Plate
European hinges come with three basic parts: the base plate, the hinge arm and the door damper.

The base plate installs inside the cabinet on the side of the door you want to have the hinge. There are often pre-drilled holes inside a cabinet for use with adjustable shelf pins. These holes can also be used for base plate installation.

If there are no holes or they are not properly located, use the wood screws enclosed with the hinge set to place the base plate. Measure the setback so it is the same for each door, and use a level to set the door properly.


Step 3 – Install Hinge Arm
For inset doors, measure inside the cabinet from the bottom to the center of the base plate. Subtract 3 mm.

Using this measurement, position the drilling template that came with the hinge on the door. Drill the hole as indicated on the template. You may use a hole saw or another type of drill bit to mortise out the correct size and shape of hole.

Repeat the measuring, template and drilling process for the other hinge on the door.

Once the holes are properly drilled, simply position the hinges. They either snap or screw into place on the doors.

Finish the hinge arm installation by snapping the cover closed.

Step 4 – Attach the Doors
With the hinge arms installed, snap the hinge arms into the base plates in the cupboards. If necessary, there are adjustment screws on the hinge arms that will adjust the door left, right, up or down about 3 mm.

Step 5 – Hinge Dampers
After installing the hinges, you may want to install a soft close mechanism called a door damper. This device sits on the hinge arm and slows the closing door so that cupboards cannot be slammed shut, even by the most enthusiastic of children.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Recycle Old Pine Wood Cabinets Tips

If you have an old pine wood cabinet at home and the color has faded, do you know that you can actually recycle it instead of disposing it away?

A pine wood cabinet is a tough cabinet which can last many years. The cabinet can withstand the test of time unless something breaks it apart. However, the color of the cabinet may not last but will fade with time.

When the color starts to fade, it will cause the cabinet to look old, dull and dirty. By then, most homeowners would choose to dispose it away as it would be an awful sight if left in the house.

If you find that the cabinet is still in good condition, you can recycle it easily by applying it with a new coat of paint. If you like the old color, you can get the same color and re-apply on it.

However if you like something different, you can apply a little bit of creativity to make the cabinet looks more modern, more classical or more colorful.

To do this, all you need is to get some liquid based paints, sandpaper, portable vacuum, paint sprayer, furniture striper, brushes and rags to start the job. Remember to lay some newspapers on the floor before starting the job to prevent it from being dirties by the paints.

Here are some simple steps on how to give your old cabinet a new coating.
1. Remove all drawers from the wood cabinet and lay them on the floor.

2. Use a cement scraper to remove the old coating. Do this carefully and ensure that you do not damage the wood.

3. Use a rag and rub some striper to remove any stubborn coating on the wood. Allow the wood to dry up.

4. Use sandpaper to sand the wood till it is smooth.

5. Use a dry clean rag to dusk away all sanding residue on the wood until it is clean.

6. Use a paint sprayer to spray a coat of new paint on the wood and leave to dry. This may take a day to dry up completely.

7. Check the coating quality and color. If it is not to your requirement, apply another layer of coating and leave to dry. This may take another day.

8. If you want to create something different, use a fine brush and different colors to create your design on the cabinet.

9. Repeat the above step 2 to step 8 on the drawers that were taken out during step 1.

Good articles by Thomas Wong
From EzineArticles.com

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Pantry Cabinets Four Issues

Pantry cabinets are welcome additions to any home. It primarily serves as the main storage of food items, kitchen accessories, cooking ingredients, and many more. With these cabinets installed, you are assured of a clutter-free kitchen. However, you have to be aware of the four main issues concerning these cabinets before you decide if they are right for you or not.

One of these issues is location. Planning where a particular cabinet will be situated is extremely important so you can make use of its storage capacities to the fullest. You also need to be proactive in your thinking and ensure immediate access to the items you use everyday. This can be done by storing them in a place where it will be easy for you to get hold of them without any difficulty.

One other issue to settle is the buy or build issue. If you are able to afford it, have one custom made. This way you don't have to worry about choosing the wrong kind of cabinet. By having one built for your kitchen, you can specify the storage requirements you need so that it can be explicitly met by the design of your cabinet. On the other hand, if you wish to save on costs, you can always go for the ready-made ones that can be found in your local furniture or home improvement shops.

Talking about cabinets, storage becomes an issue outright. The most ideal cabinets are those that will give you the biggest amount of storage without taking up so much space. These cabinets usually have shelves, racks, and other additional features which allow versatility in storing things. Some models may not have these features but you can easily secure inserts for them.

Installation becomes an issue with pantry cabinets because it determines durability and aesthetic value. You have to see to it that your new cabinets are aligned with the old ones and that they are attached properly to the wall. Be sure to order extra strips of matching wood so it will be easy for you to fill in the breaks between cabinets if necessary.

Being aware of these issues will help you discern whether pantry cabinets will do you good or not.

Good article by Susan Debi Roxanna
From EzineArticle.Com

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Thomasville Kitchen Cabinets

When you think of Thomasville, you undoubtedly think of fine furniture, because that's what the company has produced since 1904. Now, however, they've taken it a step further by lending their name to a kitchen cabinet line. Thomasville provides all the quality assurance and product development while Home Depot/Expo handles the actual manufacturing and retailing. The result is beautiful cabinetry in typical Thomasville traditional styles and more furniture-like designs. In fact, Thomasville kitchen cabinets are designed specifically to harmonize with their furniture lines.

Thomasville kitchen cabinets are considered semi-customizable. They come in standard cabinet sizes but can be arranged in any configuration to fit your kitchen. This gives homeowners a viable alternative to custom-made cabinets which can be extremely expensive. Some of the extra features you can buy with your Thomasville cabinets include plate racks, a toe-kick drawer, snap-out storage in front of your kitchen sink, and display shelves. Cabinets come in a number of different woods, and each wood is available in many different wood stain finishes. In addition, you can buy your cabinets finished with laminate finishes for the ultimate in cleaning ease.

One of the things that Thomasville does to take their cabinetry to the next level is offer luxurious finishing touches. You can get elegant crown moldings, arches, and beadboard accents which will give your kitchen a beautiful yet functional look. These are the little things that prospective buyers notice if you decide to sell your home, and adding Thomasville kitchen cabinets will definitely increase the value of your home.

Thomasville is the premier cabinetry sold by Home Deport and Expo Design Centers and is considered to be of the highest-quality. The company is so sure of the exceptional quality of the cabinets they produce that they offer lifetime warranties on material defects and workmanship. Of course, these warranties take into consideration the type of use the cabinets have undergone and will only apply to the person who originally purchased them. Craftsmanship and customer service are also rated as superior, so when you buy Thomasville you're dealing with a quality manufacturer that obviously takes pride in the products they produce.

The only drawback you'll find about Thomasville kitchen cabinets if you take the time to read through the reviews online is that they are exclusive to Home Depot, and many people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the service they received when working with their local store.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

When Your Need to Install Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Installing a custom kitchen cabinet system is a labor-intensive project that requires the help of a second person to assist with the lifting and placement of cabinets. A 2-person team is better able to keep the cabinets level and in place while you are affixing them to the wall.

Pre-drill the Upper Unit Face Frame

To begin, pre-drill holes in the face frames of the cabinets and drive deck or wood screws into the adjoining cabinet unit's face frame. Using clamps help to hold the cabinets together while driving the screws in between the cabinets. You will need to have some scrap wood available for the end pieces of the end units to keep them from moving prior to installation.

Prepare the Wall for the Upper Cabinets

Before placement, use a level to draw a plum line across where the cabinets will be hung. In addition, if there is any electrical that needs to be drawn into the cabinet, like lighting, drill holes to pull the wiring through as you prepare to mount the upper unit. Nail a 2x4 temporary support stud across the length of the wall that is where the bottom lip of the cabinet will rest. This will provide some relief for your assistant and help you keep the installation square.

It is easier to work with the cabinet doors off since it makes the upper unit lighter. If you do not have the assistance of another person, a hydraulic jack lift may do the trick but installation will take longer. While the assistance helps to align and hold the upper unit in place, you need to drive screws into the wall studs in order to properly hand the cabinets. Use a level to make sure that you are constantly flush and square with the wall; otherwise your unit could become unbalanced and eventually give way.

After installing and checking the level of the top unit, you can remove the clamps holding the individual units together. You should also be able to remove the temporary support that you used to help support the unit as you attached it to the wall. The resulting holes in the drywall can be patched with drywall mud, sanded and painted to restore it to its original use.

Install the Lower Cabinets

With the upper cabinets in place, you can turn your focus on the bottom cabinets. Start with the corner unit piece and using shims to achieve level, screw the piece into the wall studs. You should use 3½-inch deck or wood screws to attach the cabinets and under no circumstances should you use nails.

From the corner unit, attach the remaining units in the same manner as you assembled the upper cabinet pieces. First attach the unit to the cornet unit (once you line it up) and screw the piece into the wall using the wood screws. You will continue this process until all pieces have been set and attached securely to the wall.

Attach the Doors

Attach the cabinet doors to the hinges and place any drawers into their glides. Clean-up and your cabinet installation is complete.

Monday, January 18, 2010

When Install Wall Cabinets

Many people when they look to add storage to their home look into adding wall cabinets in to the existing unused areas of a room. This can add much needed linen storage in a bathroom or simply make for a nice place to display family keepsakes in the living room. Either way, the need for them to stay on the wall once they are loaded is fairly important.

By going online, you can find a large variety of cabinets that can either be mounted on a flat wall or in the corners of a room. These may be as basic as ones with shelves to some that come with glass doors and built in lights for display purposes. This is a simple do it yourself project that will take very little time and only a few basic hand tools.

The first step is to decide what type of cabinet and where it is going to be mounted. The manufacturers and suppliers that will be found online have a huge selection and the odds are that choosing one will take longer than actually installing it. Take the time to shop around, though, as many of them offer deals on one of a kinds and discontinued models.

Once it has been chosen and delivered, the next step will be the actual mounting. Many of the manufacturers will include detailed instructions along with all the necessary hardware to complete this project. Be sure that wherever they are to be mounted, to leave enough room for the doors to open up fully.

If at all possible when mounting wall cabinets try and make sure that the mounting screws are sunk into a wall stud at as many points as possible. This insures a long lasting installation and a secure one. Follow the manufacturer's directions and you will be assured of a job well done while adding some much needed storage to different areas in your home.

This article from Ezinearticle.com
Writer Chris Smitts

Sunday, January 17, 2010

How to Install Glass Cabinet Doors

Install glass cabinet doors on new cabinets or to replace existing or old wood doors. This article covers the full procedure, from cutting the glass to caulking it into place.

Tools

■Drill
■Jigsaw
■Measuring Tape
■Grease Pencil
■Masking Tape
■Light Hammer
Materials
■Glass Panels
■Small Nails
■Wood Glue
■Caulking
■Paint
■Corner Round
■Small Nails

Step 1 - Cutting the Glass
First, cut the glass to the size you need. When measuring, remember to leave at least a 1-inch frame in place around the glass panel. If you are experienced cutting glass, you can do this step yourself. It may be easier, however, to order the pre-cut glass from a glazier.


Step 2 - Marking the Cabinets
Take off all the doors from the cabinet and remove the hardware. On the inside of the cabinet doors, determine where the panels will be placed using a measuring tape. Use a grease pencil to mark these spaces on the inside of the door, or place masking tape on the spots.

Double-check your measurements by placing a piece of the glass on the markings. It should line up exactly.


Step 3 - Removing the Panel
Drill 4 wide holes at each corner, just inside your markings. Then use your jigsaw to cut from corner to corner, drill hole to drill hole.


Step 4 - Moldings
Once the panel is removed, attach molding to the front of the cabinet to frame the new glass panel. If you like, stain or paint the molding before fixing it to the cabinet.

The molding must be cut to 45 degree angles with a mitre saw. To determine how long the moldings should be, take the length of the outside edge of where you will place it. There must be a sufficient inside overlap to hold the glass panel in place once the panel is removed.

Attach the moulding with wood glue. Wait for it to dry, caulk the joins and paint or stain as desired.


Step 5 - Install Glass Panel
Once the paint is dry, insert the glass panel. Fit corner rounds to hold the glass in place on the inside.The corner round should be cut as 45 degree angles, the same as the molding. Use small nails and a light hammer to attach them to the cabinet. Be very careful!

Use a small hammer and protect the glass by placing a piece of cardboard over it. When that’s done, caulk the joins of the corner round, and paint. When it’s dry, replace the hardware and put back your cabinet doors. You’re finished!

make a great aesthetic upgrade For your Kitchen with Fascia panels

If your find the new idea for improve your kitchen.This article can help your..

Fascia panels added in to your kitchen will make a great aesthetic upgrade. You will need the specifications for your current dishwasher and some good woodworking tools and you can build a fascia panel to match the rest of your cabinetry.

Accurate Measurements
In order for your fascia panels to look right once installed you need to get extremely accurate measurements. You will need to measure length, height, as well as diagonal sections to get the best fit possible.

Allow Wood to Adjust
Before you start to build you will want to let the wood you’ve chosen sit in the kitchen for a few days. This will allow the wood to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your kitchen. Wood can expand and contract with moisture and temperature. Allowing the wood to adjust will make cutting much easier and it will be easier to install as well.

Pre-Assembled Panels
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of building your own panels, you can contact the manufacturer of your cabinets. Since they made the cabinets, they should be able to get you the facing for the fascia panel that will match the rest of the cabinetry.

Friday, January 15, 2010

7 Step Knowledge of Kitchen Cabinet Molding

Installing or remodeling kitchen cabinet molding can be an expensive and frustrating operation if jobbed out to a professional. Many home and business owners needing a new kitchen face-lift take on remodeling projects that not only help save money, but are rewarding, too, producing a great deal of satisfaction for a job well done. Adding decorative molding to your kitchen cabinets is a great way to customize this look while adding both value and aesthetic worth. A little patience and know-how will result in a successful project. Follow these steps toward adding molding to your kitchen remodeling project.

Materials Needed:

■Trim molding
■Degreaser
■Saw
■Paint and brushes
■Adhesive glue

Step 1: Do Some Homework

Investigate a variety of molding designs by checking out home décor and other magazines where you will find photos depicting kitchens with different looks. Doing a little research homework will help you make a wise choice.

Step 2: Choose a Style

Decide exactly what style trim you want to add to your kitchen cabinets. Certain types like thin, rounded trim cab help create a French country-like look where wider, flat trim produces a workman-like appearance.

Step 3: Take Measurements

You will need to take a number of detailed measurements of your kitchen cabinets to determine molding lengths and locations. Carefully selecting where to apply kitchen cabinet molding is important, for example, to ensure cabinet doors open and swing freely while also closing flush when molding is added to cabinet tops.

Step 4: Buy the Trim

Once you have taken detailed measurements, bring these to you local favorite home improvement store where you can get some guidance ensuring you acquire enough material to complete the job successfully.

Step 5: Clean the Cabinets

Using a standard household degreaser, make sure all cabinet surface area where trim will be installed is free from cooking grease, oil, dirt and other impurities. If kitchen cabinets have been either newly installed or freshly remodeled, and have not been finished yet, make sure to sand the wood before adding trim.

Step 6: Cut and Color

Measure all trim carefully before cutting so you will save from making costly mistakes. Once you have cut all needed trim to the appropriate sizes, paint or stain all molding to match the kitchen cabinet colors.

Step 7: Glue the Trim

The best method for adding trim is to remove all kitchen cabinet doors and place these on a clean, flat surface. Use a commercially available strong adhesive to attach the trim to each door. Allow sufficient drying time before rehanging the doors. A good tip is to secure all glued molding or trim is to use masking tape to keep it firmly in place until it is fully dry.

Remember two additional—and tried and true—tips to keep in mind for any construction project you will tackle:



1.Take Your Time. Always move at a deliberate, slow pace to ensure not only safety, but success as well.
2.Remember to measure at least twice so you cut only once.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

8Step to Install Kitchen Soffit

To define the space above cabinets and balance out the room, install kitchen soffits. A soffit can be framed to be just decorative, or it may hide a length of air conditioning duct work. In order to properly frame kitchen soffits, follow these instructions.

Materials Needed:

■Circular saw
■Measuring square
■Saw horses
■Drywall utility knife
■Hammer
■Nails
■Drywall screws
■Screw gun
■Tape measure
■Power sander
■2x4s
■Plywood for end caps

Step 1 – Check for Blocking
Check out the place where the soffit will be installed to determine if more blocking will be needed before drywall installation. Blocking will be needed if the joists run the same direction as the soffit will. If so, place 2x4 blocking every 16 inches. Don’t worry about the 2x4 sizing even though the ceiling timbers are bigger. Attach the blocks with framing nails.


Step 2 – Hang Sheetrock
Place sheetrock on the ceiling and wall where the soffit will go. This will serve as a fire barrier and does not need to be finished off with any plaster since it will be hidden by the soffit.

Step 3 – Check for Ceiling Level
If the ceiling is level then go to the next step. Make sure it doesn’t vary more than ¼-inch each 4 feet or adjustments will need to be made during installation.

Step 4 – Frame It
Build 2 small L-shaped frames from the 2x4s using a pair of saw horses and a circular saw. You need to cut four 2x4s to fit the overall soffit length.

Cut 6 vertical pieces at the desired height. Attach the verticals to the horizontal lengths to create a small wall using the framing nails.


Step 5 – End Caps
If the entire length of the soffit allows it to butt against the adjoining walls, you won't need any end caps. Measure the outside opening ends to cut 2 pieces of ¼-inch plywood board, and then attach each using framing nails.

Step 6 – Soffit Walls
Cover the soffit frame with ½-inch drywall using an electric screwdriver with drywall screws. Sand all cut drywall edges smooth.

Step 7 – Paint and Finish
Paint the walls of the newly created soffit, allowing adequate dry time before installation.


Step 8 – Hang the Soffit
Get a couple of helpers to hold the completed soffit in place. Nail it to the ceiling joists and wall studs.

Make sure to square off the two separate soffit units by using a measuring square. Adjust carefully so the two units will line up correctly.


Tips to Consider
■Build the frame making sure verticals are 16 inches on center.
■Use #12 resin-coated nails to prevent the wood from splitting.
■The soffit bottom should always be level even if your ceiling isn’t, especially when kitchen cabinets will be installed underneath.
■Always exercise proper safety procedures, like wearing protective eye goggles and gloves.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Install Cupboard Knobs & select them

The article from doityourself.com very good for everyone who want to pay for the cupboard knobs.

If you are looking for a great way to change the look of your kitchen without a major remodel, you can try changing your cupboard knobs.

There are some unique kitchen cupboard knobs on the market that will bring your kitchen to life with some added color or style. Take chances with your cupboard knobs. Remember, they aren't necessarily permanent and simple to change.

Measure Your Current Cupboard Knobs and Pulls

To be sure that you are buying pulls and knobs that will fit perfectly with your existing cupboards, measure your original knobs and pulls. Without measuring, you may end up with unsightly holes that need to be filled.

Choosing Pulls or Knobs

If you have very tall cabinets a pull may be the best option for your cupboards. Knobs may be difficult to reach. If you have lots of low standing cabinets you can choose to use either.

Pulls generally stay tighter than knobs for longer periods of time. If you have a cabinet that is opened more often than others, than the pull may be a better option.

The material you choose is also important. Not only do you want it to match the décor of the kitchen, you want them to last. Metal knobs and pulls are stylish, but will require regular cleaning and polishing. Porcelain knobs and pulls look beautiful and tend to be less work. Remember that porcelain can be fragile, and if a door is slammed you run the risk of cracking it.

Installing the New Cupboard Knobs

The kitchen cupboard knobs that are currently installed on your cabinets are screwed in from the inside of the cabinet. You can simply unscrew the old knobs and screw in your new ones.

If you are replacing a knob with a pull, you will need to drill new holes for the pulls. Make sure you mark and measure the exact placement you’d like for the pulls. Use this measurement on all the cupboards to keep them looking uniform.

You probably won’t need to worry about covering a hole if you use a pull. The pull will usually sit right over the whole.

If you are replacing pulls with knobs, this may be more complicated. You will need to measure just as you would for the other method. With this method though you will be left with two holes on either side of the new knob. You can fill this with wood putty, sand it, and touch up paint over it so it won’t be noticeable.

Changing the Style

The cabinets that you currently have installed in your kitchen will most likely have a pull or a knob. Because the holes are already drilled into the cabinets, you should stick with the original type of cabinet hardware.

If you replace a pull with knobs, you might end up with unsightly holes in your cabinet. You can fill in the holes with putty and paint over the area, but this may be difficult with natural wood cabinets.

Kitchen cupboard knobs and pulls are an inexpensive way to change the décor of the kitchen with very little effort. Look online for an amazing selection of pulls and knobs. This is a fun way to spice up your kitchen without spending a fortune on new kitchen cabinets.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

How to Align a Cupboard Door!

1800 Pool is the one of great knowledgement.So this article will tell you how to aline a Cupboard Door.

What You Need

■Pencil and Hand Level
■Screwdriver to Fit Hinge Screws
■Wood Putty
■Dremel #330 Router Attachment


1. Use hand level to determine how much you need to straighten door.


2. After removing the door and hinges, fill the hinge screw holes with wood putty.


3. Once correction is determined, mark new hinge location for routing.


4. Route new hinge locating using #330 Router Attachment, then use new hinge as template for new screw locations. Drill pilot holes and install.


Courtesy of Dremel Tools

Monday, January 11, 2010

how to select your dream solid wood kitchen cabinets

This article gives you some expert opinions on how to choose the kitchen cabinets by looking at the details of the finish of kitchen cabinets. We divide kitchen cabinet selection processes into several areas that you need to look closely. Hope this can be good reference for your kitchen cabinets selection.

When choosing a kitchen cabinet, the first step to do is to select your favorite wood species from the most popular selecting circle: maple, cherry, ash, birch and oak, and then the door style and the color for the door. Selecting processes for most of kitchen cabinets will follow these 3 steps.

While in order to make the cabinet reflect your unique style and taste to stand out of the normal kitchen cabinet that exist in every common family, details are the most important things to achieve this effect.

The first thing to be taken into account is the above-cabinet treatments. Combine crown or classic crown molding with one of the several decorative molding inserts a look that reflects your own personal style. Whether you’re classic or contemporary, moldings can make a dramatic difference. Details are the things you need to pay attention to. If the curve sharp and smooth? A good workmanship and quality knife used to cut the molding will have very sharp and smooth curve and clear profile. If you use your figure to feel the cutting, you can tell if it is smooth or rough. Also, you can look at the pattern is consistent, for example, if the flower crafted on the column is vivid and consistent for the cutting? Will some place of the cutting too shallow or too deep? Consistency shows the workmanship, the knife and the equipment of your kitchen cabinets manufacturer.

The second thing is decorative pediments that provide a classic look for entertainment centre cabinetry or other furniture pieces. These pediments are perfectly fit the classic people and make their kitchen give off the fragrance of holiness.

The third thing is below-wall cabinet treatment. Don’t leave your wall cabinets with an unfinished look. Choose one of your favorite moldings to complete the look of your wall cabinetry at eye level and you will find what a dramatic difference it makes in your kitchen cabinet.

The forth thing is decorative legs. Cabinetry is furniture, to add great style to your furniture with decorative legs to complete the look of base cabinetry.

The last thing to complete your design is using the wide selection of onlays, ornaments and corbels which will add a touch of elegance to your cabinet and make your cabinet stand out of common ones easily.

Details really make difference. Whenever you buy a kitchen cabinet, to take these factors into consideration will really make you surprised at your own masterpiece and be proud of yourself. After all, kitchen is the center of your home and for most part of your family life. Hope your dream come true.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Called "Stile"

Most cabinets and doors are made up of several pieces of wood called stile. A stile is the long strips of vertical wood that are glued or nailed together to make up the main part of the door. Very few doors are constructed out of one solid piece of wood. When constructing a cabinet door there is a specific way to put together each stile for the best result.

• Step 1: Measure out the length and width for the size of the door you will need.
• Step 2: Use these measurements to cut out several slates of wood about 1/2 inches thick. Make sure that you have enough slates to reach the width you need when they are laid next to each other.
• Step 3: Use a strong a wood glue to adhere the slates to each other. Use a clamp to hold them together overnight.
• Step 4: Sand down both faces and use a rotor to curve the edges.

Choosing Wood for a Stile

You will want to make sure that the wood you use for each stile has no defects in it. Don't use wood that has any knots or large cracks, try to find wood with an attractive grain instead.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

What is aToe Kick?

A toe kick is a recess or indentation at the bottom of a base cabinet. These are most often found in kitchens. The toe kick provides a place for the feet of a person leaning against the countertop above the cabinets.

This small amount of space provides much needed leverage in standing close to a cabinet. If you were to try to stand close to a wall with your toes against it, you can easily see why a toe kick is an important feature in the installation of cabinets.

Toe Kick use for Heating or Cooling Elements

In the designing of a kitchen, it is good to consider the toe kick as a place to hide a small heating or cooling duct vent. The toe kick is shadowed by the overhang of the cabinets, and the vent itself can be made the same color as the toe kick. This disguises the heating or cooling element vent, helping it to blend nicely with the room.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Sliding Cabinet Door Runners How to in stall it.

A sliding cabinet door will make a great improvement in the overall decor of your kitchen. You can pick out everything else, but it will not look good if the cabinet doors do not match. You simply can not do without spending a lot of time researching for the best cabinet doors you can get. One of the parts of a cabinet door that you do not see are the door hinges.

Sliding cabinet door runners are a part of the door hinge that allows the door to come out instead of swing around. They are great for large cabinets that are deep and will carry a lot of weight in them. The bearings on the slider to not get hung up and will slide easily when used. Installing them is an easy project that requires a little time and a few basic tools.

What You Will Need

■Sliding Runners
■Screwdriver
■Cordless Drill
■Wood Putty
■Scraper
■Sander
■Paint

Step One - Remove Cabinet Door
In order to put on the new sliding cabinet door runners, you will need to remove the cabinet door from the cabinet face. Remove the hinges that are on it and make any repairs to any damage that might be on the door.

Step Two - Fill In Screw Holes
If there are going to be screw holes on the door that will not be hidden by the new slider, you should fill them in with putty. Use your scraper and fill in the holes. Once the putty is dry then sand it flush with the door.

Step Three - Line Up Slider
You will be needing at least two sliders for your cabinet door. They will go on their side like a drawer. Line up the sliders where they will be going on the inside of the cabinet. They will attach with a small bracket on the front and back of the cabinet. Mark the holes for the brackets and make sure it is level.

Step Four - Attach Brackets
Set the brackets over the marks you made and screw into the cabinet sides to secure the brackets. You will need to do this to both sides.

Step Five - Attach Slider
Once the brackets are installed to the cabinet, you will need to attach the actual slider to the cabinet door itself. Screw the slider on where it lines up with the brackets.

Step Six - Slide Door In
Slide the door into the cabinet face and line up the slider with the brackets. They should slide right into each other. Once they are fully engaged, they will click together and not come apart unless pryed with a screwdriver. Move the cabinet door back and forth to make sure it will move freely and will not bind up.

Step Seven - Paint Cabinet Door
Now that your slider is installed you will need to paint the cabinet door to fix any repairs made when you took the door off. Paint according to the colors of your current kitchen decor.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Makes Perfect Sense By Cabinet Refacing

One article on internet will teach you how easy to refacing your cabinets, And the refacing cabinets power.

Once our children out grew the need for a great public school system, my wife and I decided we would spend our non-working hours in an area that was not so hustle and bustle and also provided a little space between us and our neighbors. We were lucky with our house hunt and were able to locate a moderate size home that sat on a nice piece of property and was very reasonably priced. But, as with any existing home, the decor was not perfect. The home was built in the mid 1980s and there had been no updates done to the home since. Once we were moved in, the first task at hand was to make a list of all the projects that my wife wanted accomplished.

Of course, the first room on my wife's list was the kitchen. It was immediately apparent, that although the kitchen was laid out adequately, there were major cosmetic changes in store for our new kitchen. One thing that stood out over and above everything else that needed to be done was the cabinetry. Luckily for me and my bank account, the wife decided that a simple cabinet refacing would accomplish her goals and that I was just the man for the job. If any of you have ever undertaken the refacing of cabinets, you know that there is really nothing complicated about it but it is extremely labor intensive.

The first thing I did was evaluate the condition of the cabinets. The cabinets were custom built for the home and constructed of solid oak materials and were in excellent shape structurally. While I am sure my wife would have preferred a different door pattern, she did see the wisdom in keeping the doors as they were custom made oak and were also in great shape. Once the decision to keep the doors was behind us, it was time to determine the finish that would result in the end product. The cabinets had been finished with a dark oak stain and along with dark butcher block counter tops contributed to making the kitchen a dark and somewhat dreary place to be. My wife decided that the kitchen needed brightening up and the best way to do so was to go with an off white cream finish which, I must say, did turn out great.

Now that the game plan was made, the only thing left to do was to get to work. I removed the cabinet doors and disposed of all the existing hardware. While the hinges themselves still looked good and actually matched the new cabinet pulls my wife had chosen, the spring loaded self closing mechanisms had worn out from repeated use over the years and required you to manually push the cabinet doors completely closed. Once all the hardware had been removed and disposed of, the cabinets and doors were thoroughly cleaned, lightly sanded and refaced using two coats of primer and two finish coats.

Just a couple of things you need to consider if you undertake a cabinet refacing project. Always use professional quality tools and purchase a good primer and a high quality finish paint designed to be used on cabinets and trim. By following the same process my wife and I followed when we found ourselves needing to update our cabinets, you too can get a fresh look to your room and save a substantial amount of money over the replacement cost of new cabinets.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Re finishing Cabinet Door Tips

I am smack-dab in the middle of a kitchen makeover which includes refinishing all cabinetry, replacing tiled countertops with sheet laminate and a new sink/faucet. (OMG, what was I thinking?!?! )

The cabinets are solid oak frame with oak veneer inset. The step-down from the frame to the veneer inset has 2 steps which have quickly become my nemesis with regard to sanding/stripping that area of each cabinet door - 24 of them! The stripper I'm using is great stuff and is working just fine at removing the old finish.

The problem is getting the stripped finish out of the area. Each step of the step-down is somewhat rounded which eliminates the use of a scraper because there's no flat surface involved between the frame and the veneer.

We decided to lighten the cabinets to a natural look from a medium oak finish (again, what was I thinking?!?!) which obviously requires the complete removal of the old finish. Luckily the cabinets themselves are in excellent shape cosmetically so no repairs are needed.

The current method of removing the finish from the noted areas is tripling the amount of time I'm spending per door just to get them ready to stain. There's got to be a better way of getting in the nooks and crannies efficiently and quickly - or at least quicker than they are now.

In case I didn't describe the area I'm talking about well enough for you to get a mind's eye view here's a better analagy - Imagine you're just a couple of inches tall and you are standing on the cabinet door which is laying flat on the ground. You want to walk from the solid oak frame down to the veneer insert. In order to get there you have to walk down 2 very small steps each of which has a bullnose leading edge. Hopefully that made it a bit clearer.

Thanks!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

How to Install Self-Closing Cabinet Door Hinges

There are many different kinds of cabinet door hinges. Your cabinet door can open and close with an inlay hinge, a reverse hinge, and an outside wrap-around hinge. A self-closing cabinet door hinge is used in the kitchen to keep the cabinet doors closed. This hinge is designed to pull the door shut after it has been opened and then released.

These hinges are available in most hardware stores for people who want to change their hinges, or are installing brand new cabinets. Installing the self-closing cabinet door hinges is a very easy project and can be done in less than 30 minutes.

What You Will Need

* Self-closing hinges
* Pencil
* Drill
* Screwdriver/electric screwdriver
* Torpedo level

Step 1: Remove Cabinet Door

Using your electric screwdriver, remove the cabinet door from the cabinet face. Remove the door by unscrewing the hinge point on the cabinet face. Once the door is removed, then you can remove the cabinet door hinges from the door itself.

Step 2: Clean Door

As you are changing the cabinet door hinges, it is also a good time to clean the door itself. Use some spray cleaner and spray it on the door. Wipe it off with a towel to remove all the dirt, grease, and other grime that gets built up while in the kitchen.

Step 3: Line Up New Hinges

Use a piece of wood about 2 inches wide and place it on the top of the cabinet door. Draw a light line on the door where the wood sits. Repeat this process on the bottom of the door. This will give you perfect placement of your hinges. Set the block of wood along the edge of the door where the hinges will be place and connect the marks along the wood.

Step 4: Lay Hinges on Door

Pick up one of the hinges and lay it on the marks on the top of the cabinet door. Make sure it is flush with the edge of the door and lined up with the marks. Make a mark where the screw holes are. Repeat with the bottom hinge.

Step 5: Drill Holes

Hold your cordless drill straight and drill in the pilot holes for the screws. Be careful you do not drill all the way through the door. Only drill in about 1/2 inch.

Step 6: Install Hinges

Attach the hinges to the cabinet door with the electric screwdriver.

Step 7: Install Cabinet Door to Cabinet Face

Once the cabinet door hinges are attached to the door, the process of putting it on the cabinet face is very straightforwards. Lift the door to the opening and set a level on the top of it. Move the door around until it is level and then set a screw into the hole of the top hinge. Screw it in with the screwdriver. Screw one into the bottom hinge and then complete securing the door.

Check the door to make sure it is opening and closing the way it should and make any adjustments if needed.

How to Install Glass Inserts into a Flat-Paneled Door

Changing the look of a cabinet door is an easy process that requires a few simple tools and a piece of glass. Cabinet doors with class inserts bring a look of elegance to your kitchen. However, you will need to keep your cabinet clean as anyone will now be able to see inside. Here are a few steps to take when installing glass inserts into your flat paneled cabinet door.

What You will Need

* Pre cut glass inserts
* Screwdriver
* Jig saw
* Drill
* Caulking
* Retainer clips
* Sand paper
* Wood block
* Masking tape

Step 1 - Remove Cabinet Door

Using your screwdriver and remove the screws in the hinges that secure the door to the cabinet face. Remove the hinge from the door as well as the other pieces of hardware. Set these aside and mark which ones came off of which door for ease of re-installing.

Step 2 - Measure For Glass Insert

Mark your door for the installation of the glass insert. You can set the insert onto the door and trace the outline in pencil, or you can take measurements and transfer them to the door. You will need to remember to bring in all measurements 1/4 inch from the edge of the glass insert. For example, if your glass insert is 10 inches across your final measurement will be 9 3/4 inches.


Place masking tape on the back of the door and put your measurements on the tape. This will keep your measurements visible, but also keep you from splintering the wood when you cut out the hole.

Step 3 - Drill Pilot Hole

After you have the final measurements for the outline of your glass insert marked on the door, you will need to cut it out. To help you get your cut started, drill a pilot hole in the corner of your outline.

Step 4 - Cut Out Hole

Set your jig saw in the hole you just drilled into the wood. Carefully cut out the hole for the glass insert. It is alright if you do not cut right on the line. This will be taken care of in sanding.

Step 5 - Sand Wood

Peel off the tape from the back of the door and sand the edges of the hole to its final dimensions. Give a light sanding to the entire back while you have the sand paper out.

Step 6 - Install Glass Insert

There are two easy ways to install the glass insert into your cabinet doors. The first involves the use of retaining clips that go onto the back of your door. Set the glass insert into the hole and center it along the hole. Attach the retaining clips to the top and bottom corners. Screw into the wooden door with your screwdriver. Place two more retaining clips on each side of the glass insert and screw into the wood.

The second method is by using clear silicone caulking. Place a bead on the top and bottom corners of the hole in the door. Then apply a thin bead along the edges. Set the glass insert onto the caulking and make sure it is centered in the hole. Set something on top of the glass to let the caulking set up. Remove any excess after dried.

Step 7 - Replace Door

After the glass insert is installed, then replace the hardware and place door back on cabinets.

How to Install Glass Inserts into a Center-Paneled Cabinet Door

Changing the look of a cabinet door is an easy process that requires a few simple tools and a piece of glass. Cabinet doors with glass inserts bring a look of elegance to your kitchen. However, you will need to keep your cabinet clean as anyone will now be able to see inside. Here are a few steps to take when installing glass inserts into your center paneled cabinet door.

What You Will Need

* Pre Cut Glass Inserts
* Screwdriver
* Jig Saw
* Drill
* Caulking
* Retainer Clips
* Sand Paper
* Wood Block
* Masking Tape

Step One - Remove Cabinet Door

Using your screwdriver and remove the screws in the hinges that secure the door to the cabinet face. Remove the hinge from the door as well as the other pieces of hardware. Set these aside and mark which ones come off of which door for ease of re-installing.

Step Two - Measure For Glass Insert

Mark your door for the installation of the glass insert. You can set the insert onto the door and trace the outline in pencil, or you can take measurements and transfer them to the door. You will need to remember to bring in all measurements 1/4 inch from the edge of the glass insert. For example, if your glass insert is 10 inches across your final measurement will be 9 3/4 inches.
Place masking tape on the back of the door and put your measurements on the tape. This will keep your measurements visible, but also keep you from splintering the wood when you cut out the hole.

Step Three - Drill Pilot Hole

After you have the final measurements for the outline of your glass insert marked on the door, you will need to cut it out. To help you get your cut started, drill a pilot hole in the corner of your outline.

Step Four - Cut Out Hole

Set your jig saw in the hole you just drilled into the wood. Carefully cut out the hole for the glass insert. It is alright if you do not cut right on the line. This will be taken care of in sanding.

Step Five - Sand Wood

Peel off the tape from the back of the door and sand the edges of the hole to its final dimensions. Give a light sanding to the entire back while you have the sand paper out.

Step Six - Install Glass Insert

There are two easy ways to install the glass insert into your cabinet doors. The first involves the use of retaining clips that go onto the back of your door. Set the glass insert into the hole and center it along the hole. Attach the retaining clips to the top and bottom corners. Screw into the wooden door with your screwdriver. Place two more retaining clips on each side of the glass insert and screw into the wood.

The second method is by using clear silicone caulking. Place a bead on the top and bottom corners of the hole in the door. Then apply a thin bead along the edges. Set the glass insert onto the caulking and make sure it is centered in the hole. Set something on top of the glass to let the caulking set up. Remove any excess after dried.

Step Seven - Replace Door

After the glass insert is installed, then replace the hardware and place door back on cabinets.

How to Install Concealed Cabinet Door Hinges

When installing new cabinet doors, concealed cabinet door hinges will add to a modern kitchen's sleek contemporary style. Follow the instructions below to attach concealed hinges cleanly and securely to your kitchen cabinet doors.

Tools and Materials:

* Electric drill to make mounting holes
* Phillips x-head screwdriver
* 2-piece concealed European-style hinges, 2 for each door
* Measuring tape and marking pencil
* Hinge-mark template

Step 1: Measure to Determine the Overlay of Your Doors to the Cabinet

If you are using a frameless cabinet box, that has no interior frame to which hinges are attached, measure up 2 inches from the inside bottom of the cabinet box and down from the inside top of the box. Mark these locations with a pencil, as you will attach the mounting brackets for the hinges here.

If you are affixing doors to framed cabinets, measure the depth of the frame and decide how much overlap you want between the doors and frame. You can choose a half-overlay, so the door overlaps half of the frame width, or any distance between that and a full inset, where the door edge is completely inside the frame.

Step 2: Drill Holes in the Door to Attach the Concealed Hinge Hardware

For each door, drill 3 holes for each concealed door hinge, a large 35 mm hole with 2 offset holes above and below it on the left side, 8 mm in diameter for the dowels and screw fasteners. Drill these just 1/2 inch deep into the door. A device called a hinge-mark template will help you mark the hole locations accurately for every door.

Step 3: Lay Down the Door and Slip the Hinge Hardware into the Holes

Separate the mounting brackets from the hinge hardware and set these aside. Place the door on your workbench or kitchen counter, outer face down and slide the hinge hardware snugly into the holes for the hinge and screw fasteners. Use the Philips screwdriver to firmly twist in the screws to secure the hinge hardware.

Step 4: Attach the Mounting Brackets to the Cabinet Body

The mounting brackets are T-shaped metal pieces with three screw holes to fasten it. When you purchase your hinge assembly, bring your frame and overlay measurements to get the correct length and thickness for the main shaft of the mounting bracket. The thickness of the mounting bracket plate will shorten the door overlay by the same amount. Attach the mounting brackets to the places you marked inside the cabinet body. Align the hinge arm into the mounting bracket and test for smoothness and straightness of each door as you open and close it. Use the screwdriver to adjust the height and lateral placement of the hinge in one operation.

Step 5: Check and Tighten All Screws on the Hinge Hardware

Take your time and measure carefully when mounting your concealed hinges. Tighten the screws about 50 percent on both hinges until you check the alignment with the mounting brackets. Once you are confident about the hinge placement, tighten the screws on the hinge hardware fully.

How to Install Cabinet Door Slider Bearings

A cabinet door is one of the major parts of a kitchen remodel. You can pick out everything else, but it will not look good if the cabinet doors do not match. You simply can not do without spending a lot of time researching for the best cabinet doors you can get. One of the parts of a cabinet door that you do not see are the door hinges.

Cabinet door slider bearings are a part of the door hinge that allows the door to come out instead of swing around. They are great for large cabinets that are deep and will carry a lot of weight in them. They bearings on the slider to not get hung up and will slide easily when used. Installing them is an easy project that requires a little time and a few basic tools.

What You Will Need

* Cabinet Door Sliders
* Screwdriver
* Cordless Drill
* Wood Putty
* Scraper
* Sander
* Paint

Step One - Remove Cabinet Door

In order to put on the new cabinet door slider bearings, you will need to remove the cabinet door from the cabinet face. Remove the hinges that are on it and make any repairs to any damage that might be on the door.

Step Two - Fill In Screw Holes

If there are going to be screw holes on the door that will not be hidden by the new slider, you should fill them in with putty. Use your scraper and fill in the holes. Once the putty is dry then sand it flush with the door.

Step Three - Line Up Slider

You will be needing at least two sliders for your cabinet door. They will go on their side like a drawer. Line up the sliders where they will be going on the inside of the cabinet. They will attach with a small bracket on the front and back of the cabinet. Mark the holes for the brackets and make sure it is level.

Step Four - Attach Brackets

Set the brackets over the marks you made and screw into the cabinet sides to secure the brackets. You will need to do this to both sides.

Step Five - Attach Slider

Once the brackets are installed to the cabinet, you will need to attach the actual slider to the cabinet door itself. Screw the slider on where it lines up with the brackets.

Step Six - Slide Door In

Slide the door into the cabinet face and line up the slider with the brackets. They should slide right into each other. Once they are fully engaged, they will click together and not come apart unless pryed with a screwdriver. Move the cabinet door back and forth to make sure it will move freely and will not bind up.

Step Seven - Paint Cabinet Door

Now that your slider is installed you will need to paint the cabinet door to fix any repairs made when you took the door off. Paint according to the colors of your current kitchen decor.

Monday, January 4, 2010

How to Install Cabinet Door Magnets

Keeping a cabinet door closed would seem like it would be easy., however there are times when the cabinet door just does not want to stay closed. For a wide variety of reasons, the cabinet door can swing open when it is suppose to be closed. Fixing this is a very easy process by using a simple magnet catch.

There are plenty of reasons you will want to keep your cabinet door closed. One of the most important is when you have small children in the home. The magnet catch will not only keep the cabinet door closed, but will also require some effort to open. The child, until they are stronger, will not be able to have the strength to open the door.

What You Will Need

* Magnet Catch
* Drill

Step One - Determine Where Magnets Will Go

Since installation of the magnetic catch on your cabinet door is quite easy, you will not need to have a lot of different tools. You will need to know where the magnets will go so you can mark them on the door. The best location is on the upper or lower corner opposite of the hinges.

Step Two - Mark Magnet Location

The best thing about installing a set of magnetic catches is that you do not need to measure anything. By simply placing the catch on the location where you want to attach it, you can easily mark it. The catch can go anywhere near the top or bottom corner. The one thing to pay close attention to is that you will need to keep it flush so the door will close tightly.

Step Three - Attach Cabinet Side

Place the cabinet side of the magnet on the edge of the cabinet and screw it into the cabinet edge. Drill a small pilot hole to make sure you do not crack the wood. The secure the latch with an electric screwdriver or use the drill with a screwdriver bit.

Step Four - Attach Door Side

After the cabinet side has been secured you can easily place the other part of the cabinet door. Line up the magnet on the mark that you placed on the door and drill in a pilot hole with your drill. Drill into the door easily so you do not go through to the other side. Secure it to the door with the screwdriver or screwdriver bit in your drill.

Step Five - Check and Adjust

Now that your magnet is attached to the cabinet door you will need to check to make sure it is working as it should. If not, then make some adjustments to the placement of the magnets. You can do this by moving just one, or both. The key to it is to make sure that the cabinet door sits tightly closed and that the magnets hold the door shut.

Once the adjustments are made your cabinet door will not longer open on its own. You will also be able to keep your children safe from the items inside the cabinet.

How to Install Cabinet Door Handles and Knobs

Nothing makes a simple cabinet door look like expensive, custom-made work than a new, gleaming handle or knob. The hardest part of installing new cabinet door pull hardware is choosing the most appealing style from the hundreds you will see at the building supply store. These directions will enable you to install your cabinet door handles or knobs in a visually pleasing and functional alignment on the door faces.

Tools and Materials:

* Tape measure, pencil and paper
* Permanent fine-point marker
* Power drill and required drill bits
* Handles or knobs with correct-sized screws and fasteners
* Washers and metal file
* Carpenter's level

Step 1: Hang the Cabinet Doors on the Cabinet Fronts

Be sure you have hung the cabinet doors in the ideal alignment before attaching the door knobs or handles.

Step 2: Choose and Purchase the Desired Type of Handle or Knob

Choose between knobs, which look like a small cap mushroom, and have a single screw fastening, or pull handles. These are attached by screws at both ends. On doors, the pull handles are attached vertically, and on drawers, you affix them horizontally.

Step 3: Consider These Factors When Placing Handles and Knobs on the Door

Be certain that the handle is close enough to the door edge to make pulling easy. The harder you must pull on the door opener to open it, the faster it will loosen and come away from the door. Next, pay attention to the moulding and decorative trim on the door. Put the center of a knob on the invisible line made by the bottom moulding's inside border across to the edge of the door. Put the vertical center of a pull handle at this level as well. On doors below the counter, align the handles with the inside edge of the top moulding piece. Test the placement of handles and knobs by sticking blue poster putty to the base of the handle and pressing it on to the spot. Compare 2 or 3 doors at once to see if the placement looks symmetrical or just a bit off. You need to go with what is visually appealing; do not rely on the door and frame measurements alone. Get input from the other people who will use the kitchen cabinets about the handle placement.

Step 4: Mark the Final Location for Each Piece with Permanent Marker

Draw the correct number of spots with the tip of the permanent marker on each door to show the location where you will drill the screw holes for the handles or knobs. Allow the marker to dry without smudging.

Step 5: Drill the Holes and Attach the Door Opening Handles

With your electric drill and the correct drill bit size, make holes in the doors for the handles or knobs carefully. Do not drill all the way through the door if you can possibly avoid it. If you do punch through the door, use a washer to secure the screw on the inside, and file off the sharp screw point with a metal file to prevent injuries. Attach the handles or knobs securely.

How to Install Cabinet Door Frames

A new cabinet door set has the potential to completely renew your entire kitchen. By simply changing out the cabinet doors in your kitchen, you can instantly change the style and the entire atmosphere. New colors, finishes, designs, and even hardware can be changed inexpensively and easily.

Another way to change the look of your cabinets is to change the entire cabinet door frame. The frame is the part of the door that holds together the inset, or the panel in the middle. They go together much like a picture frame is assembled. Installing a new cabinet door frame is easily done. Here are the steps involved.
What You Will Need

* Screwdriver
* Wood
* Miter saw
* Router with groove bit
* Wood glue
* Biscuit jointer
* Wood biscuits
* Clamps

Step 1: Remove Cabinet Door

Remove the cabinet door with your screwdriver. Once the door is removed from the cabinet face, you can remove the hardware on the door. This includes hinges, door pulls, handles, or latches.

Step 2: Remove Door Frame

This is the trickiest part. Use the screwdriver to pry apart the door frame that is on the cabinet door. You may have to make small cuts with a small handsaw in the corners of the frame to loosen them up. Remove them and keep the center panel intact.

Step 3: Cut New Door Frame

Using a miter saw, cut the angles in the wood for your door frame. Measure the panel from the cabinet door and mark those measurements onto the wood. This is the start of the angle. Set the miter saw for 45 degrees and line up the markings on the wood. Make the cuts for each of the four pieces.

Step 4: Make Groove For Panel

Using a router and a groove cutting bit, and run it alongside the edge of the frame pieces. This will create a groove in the wood for the panel to set into.

Step 5: Cut Biscuit Joints

Using a biscuit jointer, make the slots for the biscuits to be placed. These biscuits are small wooden pieces that will swell up into the joints and create a very strong hold.

Step 6: Assemble Cabinet Door Frame

Lay out all the pieces of your cabinet door on a flat surface. Place the panel on the inside of the frame. Grab one side piece and slide the panel into it. Do not use any glue for this. Next, place a biscuit on the top of the side with glue. Slide the top of the frame onto the panel and biscuit slot. Repeat this process all the way around the frame. Use a strap clamp, or bar clamps to keep the frame tight. Let the glue dry.

Step 7: Re-attach Cabinet Door

Once the cabinet door frame has dried, scrape off any glue that escaped. Attach the door hinges to the door frame with the screws. Lift the door to the cabinet face where it was previously and secure to the cabinet.

How To Hang Wood Fascia Boards

Fascia boards are installed onto rafter ends or “tails” as part of the exterior trim after a house is completely framed. Fascia boards, soffit material, frieze boards, molds and rafter tails are components of an assembly that forms the overhang or “eave” of a wood frame house. Wood fascia is easy to install, though there are several installation techniques that are used to ensure that the fascia goes on straight and true. Unfinished red cedar provides the fascia with a color and a texture that has found favor among many home builders. Use the materials listed below and follow these simple steps to install wood fascia like a master carpenter.

Tools and Materials Needed

* Fascia boards
* Hammer
* Measuring tape
* Chalk line
* String line
* Circular saw
* 2-foot level
* Galvanized finishing nails

Step 1: Trim Uneven Rafter Tails

The first step is to make sure that the ends of the rafter tails are aligned in the same plane. Drive a nail halfway into the top edge of the plumb (vertical) cut of the rafter tail at one end of the eave. Hook a chalk line onto the nail, stretch it all the way to the rafter tail at the opposite end, align it with the plumb cut and snap the line. Using a circular saw, cut back any rafter tails that project beyond this line. Tie a string line to the same nail at the end rafter and to another nail placed in the same location at the opposite end rafter. The string line will show places where the rafter tails fall short of the plane.

Step 2: Install the Lookout Blocks

Install a 2x4 nailer flat onto the exterior wall surface so that the bottom edge is level with the level (horizontal) cut of the rafter tail. Measure horizontally from the nailer to the string line and cut a “lookout” block for each rafter tail. Install each block flat against the rafter tail and perpendicular to the nailer. The lookout blocks are used as the structural frame for both the soffit and the fascia. If the upper corner of the lookout block penetrates the roof plane, it will have to be chamfered. The fascia will be nailed into the butt end of the lookout blocks, and so should not have any bows in it where the rafter tails come up short.

Step 3: Cutting Fascia Boards

Adjust the circular saw to 45 degrees for a beveled cut. Fascia boards mitered at each end will provide a stronger joint than a butt joint and will better hide unsightly gaps. Use a measuring square to make sure each cut is square. Measure and cut each fascia board to length so that every joint falls on a lookout block.

Step 4 - Install the Fascia Boards

Next, install the fascia boards onto the eave. Make the top edge of the fascia even with the top corner of the plumb cut and nail into the butt end of every lookout block with galvanized finishing nails. If the rafter tails have uneven heights, the fascia boards will be installed with a side bend also known as a “crook” or a “crown”. If necessary, either by yourself or with some help, apply pressure in the opposite direction of the bend on the board’s free end as you nail into each lookout block. Sight along the top edge of the fascia as you install each board to make sure the fascia is straight along the entire eave.

How To Hang Kitchen Cabinets

Properly hanging kitchen cabinets involves several hours of labor, a few tools and some know-how. Realistically, you might also want to have a second set of hands for this task. Cabinets are heavy and awkward to lift, especially the upper level of cabinets. Given their weight and the need to shim and level them to make sure that they are square to the wall, cabinet installation is better (and safer) to work with another person.

Tools and Materials Needed:

* Pencil
* Tape Measure
* Straight Edge
* 1 X 4 Wood Strips
* Clamps
* Screwdriver
* Hammer
* Level
* Wood Screws
* Drill


Step 1: Mark a Line for Hanging the Cabinets

Using a tape measure or straight edge, make a line indicating where the cabinets will be hung. Pre-drill holes into the 1x4 wood strips that will be used to hang the cabinets. The wood strips should be attached to the wall at 16-inch intervals to match the location of the wall studs. 16 inches is the building industry standard for the placement of wall studs so your measurements should match their location in order to secure the cabinets to the wall.

Step 2: Hang the Upper Cabinets

Hang the upper cabinets by placing them level against the wood strip and screwing them into the wall with wood screws. As you hang the adjoining the cabinets, make sure that they are square and level which each other. Use the level to line them up and as you attach the next cabinet, use a clamp to hold them together. The clamps can be removed after the last upper cabinet is hung or after all of the cabinets are set in place.

Step 3: Install the Lower Cabinets

Use the hammer to remove the baseboard in order to install the lower cabinets. Pull the baseboards out using the claw end of the hammer, gently placing it on the baseboard and the wall and pulling outward.

Install the corner unit first and secure it into the wall studs. Install each adjacent unit in a similar manner, also securing it to the wall with wood screws. Use clamps to hold the units together. When the last unit has been secured to the wall, remove the clamps from the upper and lower units (if still in place) and they should be set.

Step 4: Install Drawers and Door Fronts

Attach the door hinges on the inside of each of the cabinets. Place the doors into position and attach them to the hinges or each cabinet. The door slides for the drawers should also be installed if not already in the cabinet. Finish the drawers and door fronts with the hardware accessory to finish the look.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

How To Clean Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Over time, the paint finish on your kitchen cabinets will become dirty or stained. The best way to clean the paint finish on your kitchen cabinet is to regularly scrub and wash the cabinet faces, removing dirt and build up before it becomes concentrated.

Light Cleaning

Light cleaning includes using water and a mild detergent solution to wipe down the surface of the cabinets. Some spray cleaners may also be used to perform your light cleaning tasks. Be cautioned to read all instructions on the sprayer to make sure that the solution does not cause the paint to smear or peel.

Borax Cleaning

Retail strength Borax is a whitening powder that can be used against stains that are more stubborn and dirt residue that has built up. Mix the borax in a vinegar solution to create a paste that can be applied to the stain. A towel or soft cloth should be used to apply the paste, rubbing it generously into the stain until it lightens up or disappears. Once this takes place, dry the area with a towel.

Light Sanding

If a stain is too difficult to remove, use sandpaper to remove it altogether. Once removed, refinish the area and apply the same color paint or stain that was there previously. Be aware that of you use this cleaning method and you cannot match the color, you may end up having to refinish the entire cabinet.

How To Choose Hardware For Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets can be updated simply by changing the hardware. This includes the drawer pulls and handles, which provide a decorative element for your cabinets and serve a functional purpose as well. The hardware selection should be based on the color of the cabinets and provide the look and function you desire in order to work in your kitchen.

Create a Swatch

Creating a matching swatch is easy to do and works as a basis for comparison when you go to buy the replacement hardware. Use paint or stain that matches the color of your existing cabinets. You can collect samples of other design elements in the kitchen such as flooring and window treatments.

Make a List Hardware

List on a sheet of paper or in a spreadsheet the items that you need from the hardware store or home improvement center. This list should include the pulls, knobs, hinges and any other decorate element associated with your cabinets. Most hardware comes with the screws necessary for installation, but always check.

Ask for Assistance

Check with a hardware specialist or assistant in the store and show that person your swatch and other materials. This person can help you decide between different styles of hardware matching the swatch and materials you brought in. They can also give you good tips and pointers.