One inexpensive way to update the kitchen is to replace the cabinet doors. And and inexpensive way to add unique doors to your kitchen is to build the cabinet doors. Here’s some tips on how to build kitchen cabinet doors.

How to Build Cabinet Doors
By Jennifer Akre

So you’ve decided the kitchen needs a facelift but you don’t want to get a second mortgage to do it. Putting up new cabinet doors can revitalize any dreary kitchen. It’s a large project that requires a bit of woodworking know how but it’s certainly a great way to get exactly the right cabinets for you. So read on for a guide on how to build cabinet doors.

The first thing you’ll need to do is cut a rough door out of the same material your cabinets are made of.

Cut the sides of the door slightly longer than the cabinet frame

Reposition the wood and cut the top and bottom slightly larger than the frame opening.

Next item is to cut out the edges of the door.

Measure the height and width of the door frame. Trace this measurement onto the backside of the cabinet door.

Adjust your table saw so that the blade is roughly a third the depth of the wood.

Trim around the edges of the door.

Next you’ll need a router to bevel the edges of the door.

Run the router around the sides, top and bottom of the cabinet door.

Wipe off and dust and take the door over to the cabinets and fit check it.

Trim off any areas that don’t fit inside the frame

If everything fits snug go ahead and set the door aside and start on the next door.

Repeat this process for all of the single doors.

Making a set of double doors is a little bit different.

You’ll use the same steps for creating the template except this time cut 1 sheet of wood that will fit both doors.

Once you’ve made this cut measure the center of the wood and cut it lengthwise splitting it into the two doors.

The reason for using a single sheet of wood is to preserve the wood grain pattern, the doors will match.

Don’t rout or cut the inner length of the 2 doors since you’ll want them to fit flush inside the cabinet.

At this point you’ll need an assistant to hold the double doors in place to check the fit.

Since you didn’t cut the middle line on the doors you can trim them down flush on these sides.

Now that you have all of the doors built it’s time to sand everything down, smooth any edges and stain.

For sanding it’s a good idea to work outside to limit the amount of fine saw dust that can settle on everything.

After you’ve finished sanding you’ll need to stain.

Since this is a large project it’s a good idea to go ahead and mix up multiple cans of stain into a larger bucket. This will assure a uniform color across all the doors.

Apply a protective varnish to the doors after the stain has dried.

That’s all there is to the actual door build. Figuring out how to build cabinet doors can be pretty involved. As long as you have the time and proper tools though it’s a rewarding way to save a lot of money in a kitchen remodel.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops including that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it is cabinet hardware for your bathroom or cabinet hardware for your kitchen there are many tips you can use to make those spots both functional and beautiful. Click today and indulge your senses.

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