Soft close cabinet hinges are designed to ensure that doors will close without slamming. They are installed in pairs, one on the door and one on the cabinet frame. When a soft close hinge is activated, it pulls against the cabinet frame and closes slowly. The amount of force exerted by a soft close hinge can be adjusted with an adjustment screw.
How do soft-close cabinets work?
Soft-close cabinets use a special type of hinge system that slows the cabinet door as it’s closed. Doors with soft-close hinges will never slam shut. If you’ve never tried soft-close cabinets, it can be a strange feeling, at first. You don’t have to be careful about slamming cabinet doors.
How do soft close cabinet hinges work?
Soft close cabinet hinges are designed to ensure that doors will close without slamming. They are installed in pairs, one on the door and one on the cabinet frame. When a soft close hinge is activated, it pulls against the cabinet frame and closes slowly. The amount of force exerted by a soft close hinge can be adjusted with an adjustment screw.
What is soft close on a drawer?
Soft close is a premium feature that is available on certain types of drawer slides. It allows drawers to close silently and smoothly. When you close a drawer or cabinet with this feature, just before it's completely shut, the soft close mechanism takes over and closes the drawer or cabinet the rest of the way. It's almost like magic.
How do you use a soft close cabinet door?
You just have to get the door started and it will softly close on its own. You can even try to close it with some force and it won’t slam. Soft-close cabinets are all about convenience. If your hands are full with plates to set the table, you can just nudge the door shut.
Is soft close cabinets worth it?
Adding soft close to your cabinets means you'll never have to hear a door slammed again. These hinges will ensure the door shuts smoothly and silently. In addition, they also prevents fingers from being slammed in doors due to the door closing too quickly. This is a major bonus for families with young children.
How does a soft close damper work?
Soft Close Kitchen Hinges From here, the damper slows the movement of the door right down and controls it so that it simply taps shut quietly and gently.
How do you convert cabinets to soft close?
0:387:36How to Upgrade to Soft-Close Cabinets | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis little lever right here controls the speed oh wow it's the same mortise that we already have soMoreThis little lever right here controls the speed oh wow it's the same mortise that we already have so let's swap them. Out we'll tuck this right into the existing. Mortise.
Do soft close drawers close all the way?
Drawers are self closing and will never be left ajar. A gentle push is all it takes to engage the mechanism which closes the drawer the rest of the way. Doors and drawers with soft close cannot be slammed shut, ensuring they close gently and silently every time.
How do you adjust a soft close damper?
0:020:48How To: Soft Close Adjustment for Cliptop Blumotion Hinges - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe soft close feature button you'll see on all of the hinges that the button is in the forward orMoreThe soft close feature button you'll see on all of the hinges that the button is in the forward or active. Position simply slide the button back to deactivate resulting in your door closing faster.
What is the difference between self close and soft close?
There is a difference in soft close and self close. Self close means when you close the door and it get within 2" of closing, it will pull itself close because of the spring in the hinge itself. Soft close would be that the door gets about 2" away from closing, and then slows itself to softly close.
Can you replace regular hinges with soft close?
When you have a soft close model, you can replace the hinges, but it depends on the size of the cabinet door. You may also have the option of adding a plunger, if you cannot get the right door hinges.
Can you convert regular drawers to soft close?
It is absolutely possible to convert existing kitchen drawers into a soft close upgrade. Rather than purchasing an entirely new set of drawers, you can simply buy and install the hardware alone. This way, you can keep the paint and style of your current set of kitchen drawers.
Why are my soft close drawers hard to close?
The primary reason for self-closing drawer failure is improperly installed guides or a drawer that was built out of square. This can cause the drawer to skew to one side and fail to close all the way. You can adjust this type of drawer using only a screwdriver.
How does a soft close drawer mechanism work?
A soft-close hinge is a type of hinge that features a hydraulic mechanism built into it. When you close the cabinet door, the hydraulics take charge and ease the door closed in complete silence in somewhat of a gliding motion.
How do you fix a soft close drawer that won't stay closed?
0:442:07How to Fix a Soft Close Drawer Slider - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is on the cabinet. Slide this back on. Pull this out with the screwdriver. And now it'sMoreThis is on the cabinet. Slide this back on. Pull this out with the screwdriver. And now it's engaging again so when I pull it out. It will soft close on its own.
What makes a drawer soft close?
0:184:08Update Drawer Slides with Soft-Closers - Rockler Skill BuildersYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow here's how the system works. This is the closing mechanism. It's spring-loaded on the bottom.MoreNow here's how the system works. This is the closing mechanism. It's spring-loaded on the bottom. And it's got a piston here on top to slow down the closing action of the drawer.
How do you adjust a door damper?
0:362:52How To Adjust a Commercial Door Closer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first is the sweep and that one controls the closed speed on this the other one is the open.MoreThe first is the sweep and that one controls the closed speed on this the other one is the open. They both need to be for our purpose need to be turned clockwise.
How does a door damper work?
Door dampers are usually installed centered on the upper edge of the door. The hook sits above it on the door frame. When the door opens, the hook automatically pushes the roller lever downwards, thereby tensioning the integrated spring.
What is soft close?
What is a Soft Close? A soft close is defined as closing the books using an abbreviated closing procedure. By using a soft close, the accounting department can issue financial statements very quickly and then return to its normal day-to-day activities.
How do you install a ROK soft close damper?
0:050:56How to Install: Rok Hardware Soft Close Cabinet Drawer DamperYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst you must install a three-quarter inch thick support board on the inside of the end panel nearMoreFirst you must install a three-quarter inch thick support board on the inside of the end panel near the existing drawer slides. Now you may install the soft closer in the cabinet.
What Are Soft-Close Cabinets?
Soft-close cabinets use a special type of hinge system that slows the cabinet door as it’s closed. Doors with soft-close hinges will never slam shut.
What is the difference between self close and soft close?
The Difference Between Soft-Close And Self-Close. Self-close cabinet hinges have springs that actually pull the cabinet door shut once it reaches a certain point. Most soft-close hinges are also self-close, but not all self-close hinges are soft-close. Self-close drawers and doors can still slam shut. To get around that problem, you can add ...
How much does it cost to install soft close hinges?
You can find soft close hinges for both frameless and face frame cabinets from any home improvement store. You can expect to pay between $5 to $10 per hinge. Once installed, most soft close hinges let you adjust the height, depth, and side-to-side position of the cabinet door.
Why do drawers use soft close?
Cabinets and drawers can both use soft-close designs to avoid the slamming-shut problem. Soft-close drawer slides use a hydraulic chamber similar to soft-close cabinet hardware.
What is face frame cabinet?
A face frame cabinet has all six sides of a rectangular prism: top, bottom, left, right, back, and front. The front is basically like a picture frame. In this style of cabinet, the frame is usually made of sturdier wood than the sides. The cabinet hinges mount to the edge of the frame in this scenario.
What are the different types of kitchen cabinets?
There are two main styles of kitchen cabinet construction ?face frame cabinets, which are traditional in the U.S., and frameless cabinets, which are also known as Euro-style. Below is a diagram from Woodcraft Magazine that shows the difference between these two types.
How to keep cabinet doors from closing?
If you don’t want to replace your cabinet hinges, you can also install a small piston or damper. This device slows the close of the door once it’s about an inch away. While they are adjustable, they work best on self-closing doors. If your door doesn’t close on its own, the plunger might keep it from closing.
How Do Self Closing Drawer Slides Work?from venace.com
Now that you understand what self-closing drawers are and how they operate, the question ultimately boils down to how the slides self-close.
What does it mean when a drawer tilts?from signaturekitchensinc.com
If the drawer tilts towards the left side, it means the runners on the right side are raised and will need to be lowered. If the drawer is always getting stuck when removing it, then the slides need some adjustment outwards; to the left and right respectively. Remove the Drawer.
How to remove drawers from a cabinet?from signaturekitchensinc.com
The direction from which you remove the drawer is determined by what position the runners and the lever are located. If the runners are placed on the bottom side of the cabinet, you will just pull the drawer out and raise it a little. If the drawer is a little stuck in the cabinet, pull it slowly because too much force might end up damaging the system.
Why do drawers come out of my cabinet?from signaturekitchensinc.com
If the drawer is a little stuck in the cabinet, pull it slowly because too much force might end up damaging the system. Clean the Metal Slides. Another reason for drawers dragging or coming out with struggle is due to debris or some particles.
What does it mean when a drawer leans forward?from signaturekitchensinc.com
For example, if the drawer leans forward, it means the runners are raised at the back of the cabinet and thus will need to be lowered a little to bring the drawer to correct alignment.
What is a soft closing drawer?from signaturekitchensinc.com
Also known as automatic or self-closing, soft-closing drawers are those that retract quietly back into the cabinet with just a nudge. Due to the normal wear and tear or wrong installation, soft closing cabinet drawers may sometime present some challenges when closing. They may either bang or drag when closing, and this means ...
Why does my wood cabinet slide out of the square?from signaturekitchensinc.com
Some types of wood, especially hardwood absorb water and heat, which means they will slide out of square due to expansion and contraction. The best and effective solution of misaligned soft cabinet drawer is to call in a professional contractor instead of gambling with the slides.
What Is A Soft Close Cabinet?
Soft-close cabinets are engineered with a unique door hinge that reduces the rate that doors can close. This particular hinge is designed to prevent your cabinet doors from slamming.
Are Soft Close Cabinets Worth It?
Soft-close technology is an excellent addition to any kitchen or bathroom remodeling project. Soft-close kitchen cabinets improve your home’s functionality and keep your home quiet from repeatedly slamming kitchen doors.
How much does a soft close cabinet cost?
Our soft close cabinets start from $189, but the final price will vary based on your cabinet’s size, material, and style.
Do soft close cabinets cost more?
There is an additional cost that comes with better craftsmanship, advanced hinge technology, and improved materials. You can find soft close cabinets for your budget, but you should expect to pay more per cabinet than our other cabinet styles.
Is soft close worth it?
The choice of whether soft close cabinets are worth the price is really up to your budget. While soft close cabinets can be more expensive than standard kitchen cabinets, soft close cabinets are the norm in more luxurious bathroom and kitchen remodels.
What are Soft Close Cabinets?
Soft close cabinets are typically a type of kitchen hardware that is equipped with a hinge or slide that automatically and slowly closes the cabinet door or drawer when you push it.
How Do Soft-Close Doors Work?
Cabinets have been around for a very long time. People have always needed places to store things. But soft close hinges that were once reserved for high-end homes are now becoming a common feature in almost every home these days. Especially if your home is a new build, or a renovated one.
4 Kitchen updates that will instantly increase the value of your home
As an added bonus, if you are looking to increase the value of your home, here are five kitchen updates you can make that will help your home become more valuable.
What Are The Benefits Of Getting Soft Close Cabinets?
Now that you’ve gotten a better idea of what soft close cabinets can offer people, it’s important to get a better handle on what it can mean for people who choose to get this nifty little upgrade. These perks below explain away a decent amount of this upgrade’s popularity:
Why is soft closing cabinetry important?
No matter how you slice it or dice it, soft closing cabinetry is a great way to add value to your home and improve your daily life. It helps your kitchen, helps your wallet, and also just makes sense across the board. If you don’t have these hinges quite yet, I have to ask—what are you waiting for? They’re great!
Why do you have to stop slamming the door?
Your mother didn’t just tell you to stop slamming the door because of the noise it makes. Slamming the door puts undue stress on the hinges and also can wear away at the doors. This can even cause paint to chip. Soft close means you don’t have that risk.
What is the difference between soft closing and traditional doors?
The difference between traditional and soft closing doors, of course, is the level of gentleness that the doors close with. Soft closers are going to be quieter and also slightly slower.
Why are soft close cabinets good?
Soft close cabinets are a great investment for people who are sensitive to noise or for people who want to extend the life of their kitchen cabinetry. These cabinets are exceptionally good for homes that have multiple families living in them due to the noise reduction they offer.
What does it mean when you have soft close cabinetry?
If you have soft close cabinetry, then it shows that you took time to upgrade your home and that you didn’t skip the small stuff that make life more livable in your home.
How much does soft close cost?
If you’re going “right out of the box” with pre-assembled soft close hinges, then you can expect your cabinetry to cost at least $3,000 in materials for a 10 x 10 kitchen. Higher prices can occur if you have a luxury wood for your cabinets, but that’s to be expected.
How Do Self Closing Drawers Work?
When you close a drawer or cabinet with this feature, just before it's completely shut, the soft close mechanism takes over and closes the drawer or cabinet the rest of the way. It's almost like magic. You may find yourself wondering "how do self closing drawer slides work?" The mechanism is able to do this because of the special built-in hydraulics. Every soft close/self close drawer slide is equipped with a spring and piston system (aka the hydraulics) to control the closing of the drawer. Furthermore, each drawer slide consists of three major parts, the sliding arm, the metal housing it is attached to, and a set of drawer runners. The metal housing is the stationary part of the system. It is the hardware that mounts to your closet or cabinet. It contains a moving/sliding arm that is is attached to drawer runners, enabling the drawers to be opened and closed. Drawer runners are metal channels that are mounted to the drawer box. When a drawer with a soft close slide is about 75% closed, the sliding arm catches on the spring and piston in the metal housing so that the drawer is gently pulled closed the rest of the way. The advantages of this include:
What is a full extension drawer slide?
They are usually full extension and are generally the most expensive type of drawer slide. This type of slide works best on regular cabinet or closet drawers that have a face and a handle. This type of drawer slide most often features the soft close technology.
What is a drawer runner?
Drawer runners are metal channels that are mounted to the drawer box. When a drawer with a soft close slide is about 75% closed, the sliding arm catches on the spring and piston in the metal housing so that the drawer is gently pulled closed the rest of the way. The advantages of this include: Drawers are self closing and will never be left ajar. ...
How much weight can under mount drawer slides handle?
At Closet Works, under mount drawer slides with soft close are a standard feature of all our drawers. They are rated to handle 100 pounds.
What is undermount drawer?
Under-mount drawers with soft close technology have become one of the hallmarks of high quality cabinetry and closet systems. This type of drawer is in high demand with consumers and there is a lot of industry hype promoting it. If you are buying a new closet system, you want to be sure it includes soft close drawers. But what is it exactly?
Why is soft close safe?
Soft close is safer because fingers cannot get accidentally smashed in the closing door or drawer.
What is a silver slide?
They are mounted to the sides of the drawer box. The zinc coated, metallic silver slide is highly visible when the drawer is in the open position. This type of slide does not usually feature soft close technology. A set of full extension under mount drawer slides with soft close, hydraulic dampening.
How Do Soft-Close Drawers Work?
Thanks to having an ingenious soft-close design, drawer slides can be used in bathroom or kitchen drawers to help them close silently and softly every time. When returning the drawer to the closed position, the soft-close motion activates when it reaches the last 25 degrees of closure and slows down to close with gentle, automatic ease. Soft-close drawer slides can help tremendously when it comes to getting your home ready to sell, as installing soft-close hardware is an affordable way to increase your home’s appeal and value. Remodeling your kitchen on a tight budget? Soft-close cabinet hinges also provide a simple solution that will be appealing to potential buyers.
What is a soft close hinge?
A soft-close hinge is a type of hinge that features a hydraulic mechanism built into it. When you close the cabinet door, the hydraulics take charge and ease the door closed in complete silence in somewhat of a gliding motion. Many soft-closing hinges are also self-closing, but not all self-closing hinges are soft-closing.
What is grass hinge?
Grass hinges are sleek in design and most feature adjustable switches so you can regulate the soft-closing action for any size door. Grass makes soft-close hinges for face frame cabinets. These mechanisms are mounted into the interior of the hinge cup and the adjustment switch is located on the face of the hinge.
Is a BLUM hinge self closing?
Many soft-closing hinges are also self-closing, but not all self-closing hinges are soft-closing. Many carpenters and cabinetry specialists prefer soft-close hinges for their craftsmanship and quality. One of the most notable brands in the soft-closing hardware market is BLUM.
What Are Soft-Close cabinets?
How Soft-Close Cabinets Work
- Soft-close cabinet hinges were first popularized by a European company called Blum. The company’s Blumotion hinge is in millions of cabinets around the world and uses a hydraulic system to slow the motion of a cabinet door. When the door is closed, fluid is forced around a piston, which provides resistance. If the door is shut harder, the resistanc...
Soft-Close Drawers
- Cabinets and drawers can both use soft-close designs to avoid the slamming-shut problem. Soft-close drawer slides use a hydraulic chamber similar to soft-close cabinet hardware. These soft-close slides are mounted under the drawer, though some manufacturers make modified side-mount slides. Going from a standard side-mount slide to an undermount slide usually requires y…
The Difference Between Soft-Close and Self-Close
- Self-close cabinet hinges have springs that actually pull the cabinet door shut once it reaches a certain point. Most soft-close hinges are also self-close, but not all self-close hinges are soft-close. Self-close drawers and doors can still slam shut. To get around that problem, you can add soft-close functionality to a door with a small damper.
Making The Upgrade Yourself
- If you don’t have soft-close cabinets at the moment, there are a few ways you can add them to your life. First, you have to find out which type of cabinets you have in your kitchen. There are two main styles of kitchen cabinet construction?face frame cabinets, which are traditional in the U.S., and frameless cabinets, which are also known as Euro-style. Below is a diagram from Woodcraf…