Fitting new kitchen drawer fronts is a straightforward process that can refresh the look of your kitchen cabinets.
Fitting new kitchen drawer fronts involves positioning the new front onto the existing drawer box and securing it, often starting with temporary screws for alignment before permanent fixing from the inside.
Replacing old or damaged drawer fronts is an excellent way to update your kitchen's appearance without the expense of entirely new cabinets. It allows you to change style, color, or material, giving your kitchen a fresh, modern look or restoring it to its original glory.
Key Steps for Fitting New Drawer Fronts
The process typically involves preparing the drawer box, carefully positioning the new front, temporarily securing it for accurate placement, and then fixing it permanently.
Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
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Prepare the Drawer Box:
- Remove the old drawer front. This usually involves unscrewing it from the inside of the drawer box.
- Ensure the front of the drawer box is clean and free from debris or old adhesive.
- If necessary, mark center lines on the drawer box to help align the new front and potential handle placement.
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Position the New Front:
- Hold the new drawer front against the drawer box.
- Align the front carefully. This is crucial for ensuring consistent gaps between drawer fronts and adjacent doors/cabinets. The reference suggests it's "best to do the front attachment upright", implying the drawer box is in its vertical position, possibly within the cabinet or pulled out and stood up, which helps maintain proper alignment relative to surrounding elements.
- Use spacers (like small blocks of wood or plastic spacers) to maintain consistent gaps around the edges if the drawer box is in place in the cabinet.
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Temporarily Secure the Front:
- According to the reference, "To attach the fronts temporarily but to lock them in position. Drive some short screws through the front and into the case." ('Case' referring to the drawer box).
- While holding the front in position (or using clamps if helpful), drive a few short screws from the outside face of the new drawer front, through the front material, and slightly into the drawer box. These temporary screws hold the front in place for fine-tuning alignment and are later removed. Ensure these screws are short enough not to poke through the inside of the drawer box.
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Permanently Secure the Front:
- Once the front is perfectly aligned, open the drawer (or access the inside of the drawer box).
- Drive appropriate screws from the inside of the drawer box outwards into the back of the new drawer front. Use enough screws to securely hold the front, typically spaced around the edges and potentially in the center. Ensure these screws are the correct length to provide a strong hold without going all the way through the front.
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Remove Temporary Screws and Finish:
- Remove the short screws that were driven temporarily from the outside in Step 3. These small holes can often be filled later or may be covered by the drawer pull hardware.
- Install your new drawer pulls or handles, often using guide templates to ensure consistent placement. The screws for the handles also help further secure the front to the drawer box.
Tips for Success
- Always measure multiple times before ordering or cutting new fronts.
- Use a level and spacers to ensure perfect alignment with adjacent drawers and doors.
- If using screws from the inside, pre-drilling pilot holes can help prevent the drawer box or front material from splitting, especially in hardwoods or engineered wood.
- Consider the weight of the new fronts and ensure your drawer slides are capable of supporting them and the drawer's contents.
By following these steps, you can effectively fit new drawer fronts and achieve a professional-looking result, leveraging techniques like upright positioning and temporary screw fixing as highlighted in the provided reference.
