Kitchen Cupboard Hinges - Can I change them to hidden?
I have old kitchen cupboards with old visible hinges. I am thinking about replacing the hinges, but keeping the actual cupboards. Do I have to use the exact same hinges? or can I replace them with the hidden type of hinges? This might be a silly question.....but would the cupboard door be the same size, regardless of what type of hinge you use? For some reason, I keep thinking that the actual cupboard door would have to be slightly larger if you wanted to have hidden hinges. Is that true? hmmmm Perhaps I just need some sleep... Thanks for any input. The quick answer is yes, you can change the hinges. The hard part is what type. Cabinet doors have lots of different configurations.....full overlay, partial overlay, inset, etc., etc. The hinges have to fit the door style. There are hidden hinges that screw to the cabinet framework without major holes, and there are European type hinges that require a large hole to set the hinge into. Go to big box and look at the hinges, what is available can be mind boggling, until you understand the type of door you have. Also, it is a good idea to be opened to the possibility of other models of external hinges (like old brass, etc) If you go to HD, Lowes, etc, it is a good idea to bring a picture of the current cabinet hinges, finishing, etc Hello, we had purchased some new hinges - not hidden, that I thought would work with our doors. Our doors have the little lip on them where the door has to fit just right into the hole(cabinet opening) in order to fit. Our home was built in the 50's and finding something that fits just right is about impossible. Evidently the new hinges we bought are spaced just a tiny bit wider (thicker) than the old ones and they will not work. I was going to have to re-drill holes and patch for every door. Are the only options: to find something that fits just the way they are already or: to shave the doors a little bit to make them fit? I can post photos later if that would help, I'm just a little agitated that everything with our house seems to be so unique. Thoughts? Thanks in advance! Ok, so I went to the hardware store and bought some hinges that weren't fancy and looked more like what we already had but in silver. They fit - perfectly. Blah.... But...now I have to buy different knobs because the knobs are brushed nickel and the hinges are chromed. So - that will teach you with old homes. Don't try to make them too updated because they will resist. If you want to completely update the house, you have to start from scratch. This has been my mantra with our 1950's era home, again and again. I have to remind myself every time something goes wrong. Good luck! It seems my doors don't have that little edge thingy (I believe the guy at the store called it a rabbit). I can buy similar hinges, except I will have to drill all new holes. Darn... The hinges they make now are about an eighth of an inch different than mine. So since I will have to drill all new holes now, perhaps I should be thinking about maybe making new doors for the cupboards. They are very old, and could certainly use replacing. Apparently I would use MP(?) kind of boards (I forget what the man at HD called it) and it costs about $25 for an 8x4 sheet. I would just measure my cupboard doors, then go in and tell them the measurements, and they would do all the cutting. Then I would just prime the boards, then paint them, then pre-drill the holes for the new hinges, then put them up. It doesn't sound that terribly difficult - or am I fooling myself? Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Thanks. I hope I am not replying too late. If what the guy at the HD store is selling you is MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), it is an inexpensive fix but it comes at a price. The pros are that MDF is inexpensive and paints very well. The edges need to be sealed a few times and sanded between coats. This can be done by diluting yellow glue with some water and then brushing it on the edges (not too wet). Once it dries, sand it with 150 grit paper and reapply if necessary until the edges are completely smooth. The cons are a few: 1. MDF is heavy in relation to wood or plywood. 2. MDF does not accept screws very well. You must use coarse thread screws and always pre-drill. Apply the hinge screws by using a hand-held screwdriver instead of a screw gun. If you don't, they can strip the hole quickly. 3. Over time the screws will come lose just from opening and closing the doors (just go around every so often and tighten the screws). 4. If water gets into the doors, they will swell and they will need to be replaced so seal them well. If you do your homework, MDF is a good alternative to conventional material at a fraction of the cost. Good luck!
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