Are you happy with the freshly installed new kitchen cabinets? Is the final touch of practical knobs, handles, and other necessary hardware still missing? Well, you can’t really make good use of your new cabinets without proper handles. In this article, you will get an insight into a simple and easy way of installing kitchen cabinet hardware.
Preparing For Kitchen Hardware Installation
Well, if you want to properly install your kitchen cabinet hardware, you need to be familiar with using a drill. It might be emotionally painful for you to make some holes in a freshly painted cabinet, but it is the only way to install functional knobs, pulls, and handles.
You need to make sure that these holes are made to fit the new hardware without leaving some extra uncovered spots. Your drilling holes must be the same height. Typically, you will need all the knobs or handles to be installed at an even level. This is the right thing to do if you want high functionality and the best appearance.
But before you reach the installation phase, you need to bring along the right cabinet hardware. This means you should avoid items with sharp edges that won’t feel comfortable in your hands. Also, pay attention to the quality of the hardware material, as you will need something everlasting and durable. So, knobs or handles that look funky but are broken easily are not really recommended.
How To Install Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
When it comes to where to put knobs on cabinets, you might feel a bit scared of making the wrong holes. But if you know your way around a drill, you will be just fine. In addition to the drill, you will definitely need to keep the following things in mind:
Purchase A Template
A hardware template helps you drill holes without making mistakes. Whether you get a custom-made or store-bought template, you will get a range of holes that fit various sizes of kitchen cabinet hardware. The vast majority of templates are made of plastic and are typically cheap. They are also easy to use. Some people do not like plastic templates as their model holes tend to get bigger with frequent use. However, you will not need to install kitchen cabinet hardware every day, and the overall cost of purchasing a template from a hardware store is not really a burden on your budget.
Or Use A Hardware Jig
If you are willing to pay a lot more than the cost of an average plastic template, you can always buy a hardware jig. This tool is expensive when compared to templates, but it is definitely going to make things a lot easier. A hardware jig is usually made of aluminum, which means more durability. It also has a T-square model. In addition to the T-square shape, the jig features a couple of sliding attachments, which serve the purpose of aligning and adjusting the holes perfectly. In addition to the stability of holding a metal T-square, your jig guarantees marking the exact location of all the holes in all your cabinets. All it takes is measuring it accurately once and applying the measures to the rest of the cabinets.
Keep Things Centred
There is no standard guide for the location of kitchen cabinet hardware. It is really a matter of preference and usability. However, keeping things in the middle seems like a safe choice. So, instead of installing the knobs too high, too low or leaning towards one side, you can keep them centered and reachable for everyone using your kitchen.
Taking hole measurements more than once is the right move if you want to be 100% sure. Making the wrong drilling decision can cost you repairs or paint in the future. Remember to use a marker to determine the proper distance between the holes. Also, hold your template firmly along the door edge of each cabinet. Then double-check the measures before using the drill.
Start Drilling
Before you start making holes, you need to determine the right drill bit. It usually takes a 3/16 drill bit to make standard drill holes for kitchen cabinet handles. The right size for screws should be 8/32. Then, it is time to start drilling. But it is mandatory to start making holes slowly. A powerful drill might lead to a bigger hole or lose the desired level and position of the holes. Just before you start, make sure to aim the drill a tiny bit higher than the mark you made.
When you drill, you might notice that your cabinet wood makes a bit of splintering. This is a normal result when you pull your drill. The wooden back of the cabinet door might splinter from the back-to-front movement of the drill. Sometimes, adding some masking tape around the drilling areas can prevent splintering.
In the worst-case scenario, you can still hide mild wood splintering behind the screws and the freshly installed kitchen cabinet hardware.
Install The Desired Cabinet Hardware
This is when you reap all the benefits. All you need now is a screw and a knob or handle of your choice. The knob should be placed in front of the cabinet door, while the screw should be hidden in the back. To make the newly installed hardware more stable, you need to tighten the screw as hard as you can. You should repeat this routine for the rest of the drawers and cabinets in your kitchen. This also works just fine for your bathroom cabinet or almost any wooden cabinet around your house.
Final Thoughts
Installing your own kitchen cabinet hardware for the first time might be intimidating if you are new to the DIY area. But if you have the right tools, you will have nothing to worry about. You can find proper help if you opt for an efficient hardware jig or template, depending on your budget. Also, using the right drill and keeping your hands firm and steady will let you be in full control of the installation process. Last but not least, you have to put some thought into the right place for installing kitchen cabinet hardware. The positioning of the new hardware is a matter of usage and personal choice. However, staying in the middle seems to be a popular choice.
