1. Remove old doors and hinges from old cabinets.

2. Remove drawer fronts from each drawer. Set drawers aside. There are two types of drawer fronts. The type that is merely attached to the drawer box can be removed by the removal of the attaching drawer pulls, screws or staples. The front that is an integral part of the drawer box must be cut or sawed off, making sure that the cut is square with the top, bottom and sides of the box.

3. Cabinet preparation: Old screw holes or gaps in the frame work should be filled with either auto body filler or wood filler and, when dry, sanded smooth. All surfaces to be refaced with any type of cabinet refacing material must be scraped clean of chipping paint, grease or varnish. To accomplish this you can use on automatic belt sander or a hard paint scraper. A propane torch can be used on troublesome spots to “lift” the substance from the framework (use with caution).

4. Should you have a corner cabinet situation, it may be necessary to add a filler strip. If you have decided that an opening is slightly too large and you wish to add a filler strip, do it after you scrape that surface. Use a piece of clear pine cut to size. Secure it with nails or screws. Fill in any seams with filler and sand smooth. At times you will need to square off surfaces using 1/4″ core (i.e., cabinet bottoms). Reveals at side returns should be shaved off or area filled in with 1/8″ or 1/4″ luan skin or plywood so that surface is smooth for lamination.

Lamination

1. When all framework is prepared and free of foreign matter, the cabinet refacing laminate, wood veneer or thermo-foil skins can be applied. If working from a full sheet of 2′ x 8′ skin cut the material for cabinet bottoms and returns 1/4″ larger than needed. Make sure grain on under side of wall cabinets run all the same way. Grain on cabinet returns should run vertically.

2. Laminate underside of wall cabinets first. Apply the manufacturer recommended adhesive on both cabinet and cabinet refacing skins. Use a roller or brush, where needed. Let the adhesive dry to the touch. Apply cabinet refacing skin to cabinet surface. Remember that once material is applied to the cabinet it cannot be realigned. Use good judgment and a hand roller or block of wood to press laminate to cabinet. Trim excess material using utility knife or router.

3. Next laminate returns of cabinets, using the same process described above.

4. Cut cabinet refacing skin into strips for stiles and rails with grain running the length of the strip. Again, cut strips 1/4″ larger than needed.

5. Laminate cabinet fronts. Apply cabinet refacing skin strips exactly as cabinet is stilled. Laminate vertical stiles first, then horizontal rails. Keep all seams as tight as possible.

6. Rather than proceeding according to directions 4′ and 5 above, you may use full sheets of laminate. Apply to cabinet fronts, then break through with trimmer and router to trim opening. Both methods are acceptable. Using strips will, of course, save on materials; covering the entire front of the cabinet with a full sheet will save on labor and result in a better lamination since no seams will show on stiles and rails.

7. Regardless of the manner employed in refacing the front of the cabinets, left cabinet refacing skin overhang whenever possible.

8. Remove any excess oak skin from cabinets with a utility knife or router.

9. Cabinet lamination is now completed.

Hardware Application

To install new doors effectively the installer must plan and organize the entire job. Place new doors face down on a soft work area. Measure equal distances from top and bottom (usually between 1″ and 3″) and place hinges at these locations. The aid of a hinge marking jig can save time that is expensive. Start holes for flat head screws by first using a pilot drill bit. Screw on hinges using electric or manual screwdriver.

Make sure that hinges on all doors are the same distances from top and bottom. When installing hinges do not over-tighten screws in order to prevent stripping of screw holes.

Now attach new doors to framework by having someone hold the door in proper place (use human eye to level). Screw hinges to framework, do not over-tighten screws and again use starter holes.

Finally, install knick-knock shelves, desired molding, toe-kicks, etc.

Go to your local hardware store. Browse through the cabinet knobs. It is amazing that we live in a society which allows us to choose what design we prefer to our cabinet knob. You see various designs and it is up to you which one you get. Cabinet knobs no longer come in a generic form. It has been revamped to express the buyer’s personality.

A cabinet knob is attached to a drawer and a closet. It aids the person in opening the drawer and closet without any trouble. Cabinet knobs come in various colors, structures and designs.

Consider shopping for cabinet knobs a serious matter. Are you chic or manly? Are you into plain designs or would you like something similar to that of the time of the renaissance? Will there be different doorknobs to each room? Perhaps you are thinking of having those animal designs for the nursery?

Some are circular which makes it easier for you to enclose your whole fist in it and then pull the drawer open.

Some are elongated and has a space in between the end of the knob and the drawer. In that space, you fixate your fingers and then pull.

Some are like that of a knocker in castle gates. These are the ones that have a circular design and you see a loose hoop hanging by it. You hold on to that loose hoop and pull.

Some has a square shape. You hold on to that shape and exert what seems to be no effort in opening your drawers and your cabinets.

If you want to be different, you can see various designs like that of animals. There are cabinet knobs with a bull design. The head of the bull is found in the center and you hold on to the horns to pull the drawer and the cabinet open.

There are also heads of animals such as bears, dogs, tigers and cats. It is similar to that of the circular cabinet knobs where you enclose your fist in order to open the cabinet.

With so many choices to choose from, you eventually get the best one which reflects your personality and your lifestyle. Shopping for cabinet doorknobs has become shopping for shoes.

Home-owners usually get the same doorknob to each room so that there will be balance and symmetry from one room to the next.

Just like cleaning the floor of your house, you must also take the time to clean your doorknobs. Most of the time we forget to do so because it is hardly seen and is there in the corner. And then again, cabinet knobs usually come in brass and in steel. If you don’t wipe it clean on a regular basis, it might rust eventually.

Avoid using material that could trigger rusting to your cabinet doorknob. If your doorknob is painted, double check if some spaces are already chipped. Try to maintain the beauty of your cabinet and also do your best to not overlook the cabinet doorknob.

A cabinet doorknob is like that of your fingernails. It is a part of your body – although small can still be seen. Just how you care for your hand and your skin, you must also care for your fingernails on the same level.

The minute you see a damage, have it repaired eventually. If it is a chipped paint, you can always have it coated. If it is rusty, try to see if it is still manageable.

Some obsessive compulsive customers eventually go back to their hardware store and buy new stocks of cabinet doorknobs if theirs have lost its touch of magnificence and perfection. After all, they are not pricey anyway. Prices for cabinet doorknobs range $3 to $7. The elaborate designs are around $8 a piece.

In a nutshell, a cabinet doorknob is still part of the house. Cabinet doorknobs as small as they are can still say something about your personality to your guests. A well-maintained cabinet must also be reflected on its knob, just as well-maintained hand is reflected on its fingernails.

If you want, you can always bring someone along when you buy your cabinet doorknob. Like choosing china, browsing for the right cabinet doorknob for you must also take the same time, effort, focus and concentration from you – as little as it might be. You know what they say? Be it little, it still says something big.