How To Install Soft Close Hinges
- Remove Old Cabinet Door & Hinges
- Drill A 35mm Hole (1 3/8″)
- Install Hinge Into Cabinet Door
- Install Clip-On Mounting Plate
- Clip Hinges Into Mounting Plates
- Test Out Your New Soft Close Hinges!
Full Answer
How to install self closing hidden hinges on existing cabinets?
- Fill the old holes with wood filler. (My screw holes were less than 1/8″ but for anything larger, I would use this process instead of wood filler.)
- Mark the new holes in the right place with a pencil.
- Drill a pilot hole for each one. ...
- Hold the door in place and attach the hinges using the new holes.
How to install Blum soft close cabinet hinges?
Tips For Success When Installing Soft Close Hinges
- Make sure to choose the proper style of hinge that is compatible with your specific cabinets.
- Choose a high quality hinge that will offer a great user experience. ...
- Always use the proper PPE (personal protective equipment) and use safe practices when working with power tools.
How to install slow close cabinet hinges?
How to Install Overlay Cabinet Hinges
- Measure the overlay. A half-inch overlay would refer to cabinet doors that cover the entire cabinet opening and extend half an inch onto the cabinet carcass or frame. ...
- Choose your hinges. See the list of hinge types and features to choose the perfect match for your cabinets. ...
- Attach the hinges to the door. ...
- Cut a mortise, if necessary. ...
How to install hidden door hinges?
• Using a screwdriver or electric drill, start unscrewing those loose screws. • If your aim is fixing loose wood screw holes for a door (which has multiple hinges), you can place a wedge underneath the door to support it while you’re unscrewing the loose hinges. But if all those hinges have loose screws, just remove the door entirely.
How do you install soft closing hinges?
Step 1: Remove Old Cabinet Door & Hinges. Start by removing the cabinet door from the cabinet. ... Step 2: Drill A 35mm Hole (1 3/8″) ... Step 3: Install Hinge Into Cabinet Door. ... Step 4: Install Clip-On Mounting Plate. ... Step 5: Clip Hinges Into Mounting Plates. ... Step 6: Test Out Your New Soft Close Hinges!
Can you add soft close hinges to existing cabinets?
It is possible to convert a cabinet with a soft close to stop the loud noises associated with opening and shutting your cabinets. You can often purchase a small adapter and install it within minutes to fix the problem, but you must know which model to purchase and how to install it.
How do you install a self closing hinge?
0:272:07how to install self closing door hinge - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse your drill. And install the screws to the door frame. First then install the screws into theMoreUse your drill. And install the screws to the door frame. First then install the screws into the door side this is what it looks like on the back side when the door is closed.
How do I change my kitchen cabinets to soft close?
3:117:36How to Upgrade to Soft-Close Cabinets | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis plastic socket screws to the rear of the cabinet to hold the slides in. Place. Then i can screwMoreThis plastic socket screws to the rear of the cabinet to hold the slides in. Place. Then i can screw into the face frame to hold the front of.
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.
Are soft close hinges 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.
What is the difference between soft close and self close hinges?
The "self" element means that the hinge or slide has a built-in element that pulls the drawer or door closed, sometimes with a tap or bang. "Soft"-closing means just that it glides. The drawer or door is pushed and it glides to a certain point and then hydraulics take over.
How do soft close hinges 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 self closing hinges work?
Self-closing cabinet hinges contain a small spring that pulls the door back into contact with the cabinet frame on its own. Once the door is within 2″ of closing, the hinge will pull it completely closed. Even if your hands are full, you don't have to use much force to get the cabinets closed.
How do you install self closing hinges on cabinet doors?
5:119:07Installing Soft Close Hinges on Existing Kitchen Cabinets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd obviously this takes a little bit of a balancing act. So start the screw in there. And theyMoreAnd obviously this takes a little bit of a balancing act. So start the screw in there. And they start getting it threaded. I'm going to let the cabinet. Basically rest on the lowest position.
Can you put new hinges on old cabinets?
Replacing cabinet hinges doesn't have to be intimidating or difficult. With careful preparation and a few tools you probably already own, you can install brand new hinges rather than trying to paint the old ones.
How do you add soft near existing drawers?
0:184:08Update Drawer Slides with Soft-Closers - Rockler Skill BuildersYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight behind the drawer face and when the drawer is closed. This lip on the catch fits. In betweenMoreRight behind the drawer face and when the drawer is closed. This lip on the catch fits. In between these two tabs on the closing mechanism.
Can you put new hinges on old cabinets?
Replacing cabinet hinges doesn't have to be intimidating or difficult. With careful preparation and a few tools you probably already own, you can install brand new hinges rather than trying to paint the old ones.
Is soft close cabinet worth it?
Soft close hinges are a must for all drawers in environments where children our present. And it's not just safer for the kids. The soft close feature extends the life of your cabinet or drawers by protecting them from blunt force trauma. It puts minimal stress on the hinges, drawer rails and drawer stops.
What is the difference between self closing and soft closing hinges?
The "self" element means that the hinge or slide has a built-in element that pulls the drawer or door closed, sometimes with a tap or bang. "Soft"-closing means just that it glides. The drawer or door is pushed and it glides to a certain point and then hydraulics take over.
Do all hinges need to be soft close?
Can you put soft close hinges on old cabinets? Maybe. If you have European hinges that are installed into 35mm holes drilled into the cabinet door then it is an easy upgrade. But if you have hinges you can see on the outside of the door you will need to use a soft close damper instead.
What is a soft close hinge?
Soft close hinges have a mechanical device built into the hinge that prevents a cabinet door from slamming. It slows down the door and shuts it ‘soft’. These devices are also sometimes called self closing hinges.
What is the downside of soft close hinges?
The biggest downside associated with compact soft close hinges is slow recovery time. Recovery time: the time that a cabinet door has to be open before the soft close mechanism is ready to function. If a hinge is close before it is ‘recovered’, the soft close function will not work properly (or not work at all).
What to do if your hinges don't line up?
If the hinges don’t line up perfectly with the mounting plates, you may need to loosen the screws on one, or both of the mounting plates and adjust as needed. Clipping the soft close hinges into the mounting plates is easy as long as they are properly aligned.
What is a long arm hinge?
In high quality cabinetry, long arm hinges are typically used. Aside from being more expensive, the only downside of long arm hinges is that they are physically larger and take up slightly more room inside of cabinets. Unless cabinet space is extremely limited, this will not matter much.
Why are cabinet hinges called hidden hinges?
They are called hidden hinges because they cannot be seen when the cabinet doors are closed. If you have exposed hinges which can be see when the cabinet doors are closed, it is possible to convert to hidden hinges if you prefer the hidden style. This conversion will require a few extra steps.
Tools Needed for Soft Close Cabinet Hinges Installation
Apart from the hinges, you’ll need drill bits and a power drill. Also, about the hinges, compact Blum soft close cabinet hinges are right now the ideal pick that I definitely want to recommend as these are proved to be a pretty convenient up-gradation choice. You can also try the self-closing cabinet hinges if you’d need that particular feature.
Drill Required Hole
Now with most old-styled cabinets, there should be a 35 mm hole existing for new hinges. However, if this is your first time converting it into hidden hinge type, then go ahead and drill that 1 3/8 inches hole. Use an adjustable depth Forstner bit for better results. You won’t need to hole down any farther usually.
Follow with Cabinet Door Hinges Installation
You are all set to get the new soft close kitchen cabinet hinges installed with hole being drilled. The hinges should easily fall inside the hole if you’ve drilled it right. There should be a little coaxing. Sometimes you may face a little bit of snug fit with the dropping. But it should not require a ton of pressure for fitting into place.
Then Go for Clip-On Mounting Plates
Next, you need to fix the mounting plate onto the cabinet. In a face frame cabinet, it needs to be directly fixed with face frame. This type is known as the clip-on mounting plate. As once you install them, it basically lets the cabinet door to clip onto them. And compared to the conventional style hinges, these are easier to for.
Clipping the Hinges to Plate
And we are almost by the end of this whole installation process. Use your one hand for holding the door of cabinet. At the same time, you need to grab the soft close hinges with your other hand. For cabinet doors that are larger, get some help from a friend for holding them. Simply slide the hinge inside mounting plate.
What is soft close hinge?
Soft close door hinges are a common mechanism used in a variety of cabinets. As the name suggests, the purpose of these hinges is to close doors more delicately. Since cabinets come in all shapes and sizes, you might need to adjust their hinges so that their doors close properly.
How to test if a cabinet door is soft close?
Open and close the cabinet doors to test them out. Test out each cabinet door to make sure that the soft close hinges are at the proper setting. If the door closes too quickly, try tightening the adjustment mechanism so that the hinge carries more weight.
What does a large gap on a hinge mean?
In general, the gap between the hinge and the tab determines the setting; for example, a large gap means a lighter setting, while a small gap means a stronger setting. Keep in mind that some hinges might have an adjustment lever instead of a tab.
How to straighten out crooked cabinet doors?
Use a screwdriver to straighten out any crooked doors. Take a step back and look at your cabinet or cupboard doors to see if they’re straight. If one or both of the cabinet doors isn’t aligned, use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screws and make the doors parallel to one another.
